Her Story
About Shilpa
Shilpa Mehta is an architect based in Los Angeles, California, with more than 15 years of experience in the architecture industry. She has spent the past five years managing luxury residential projects, including highly customized single-family homes in areas such as Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Malibu, and throughout Los Angeles. Prior to her current role, Mehta worked as a manager on K-12 and university projects in Texas and gained experience in hospitality design, including hotels and resorts. Mehta earned her first master's degree in architecture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she received a full scholarship and served as a teaching assistant. She later obtained a Master's of Science in Architecture Technology from Georgia Tech, with a concentration in building information systems and computational design, again on scholarship while teaching. She is a LEED Green Associate and is preparing for her U.S. licensure exams. Mehta is a member of the AIA Long Beach/South Bay chapter, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Indian Institute of Architects. She attributes her success to tireless hard work and maintains a passion for the field, advising young women to persist despite challenges related to gender roles in architecture.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shilpa
01What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work. I have worked tirelessly. I have worked without complaining, for years. I have worked for days without sleeping. I still want to keep going and be that kid who first started going to architecture school full of ideas and dreams.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay curious, keep learning, and not wait until I feel completely ready before taking on something new. Growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, asking the right questions, and trusting that you will figure things out along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you have the passion and ability to do the hard work, things work out. Don't listen to people who don't take you seriously because you're a woman. Keep constantly working on yourself, don't lose hope. Be ready for the field as it takes a lot but gives back visibility, authority, and the ability to create.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Gender roles and being seen in powerful positions as women. Women have to fight a little extra hard to make their place, but if you have the skills and knowledge nobody can stop you.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, punctuality, leadership without ego, empowering the team, collaboration, and continuous learning.
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