PEOPLE

Our Greatest Asset

We know that people are our greatest asset. This is why we bring together the right people with skills catered to each project’s needs. Our talented and diverse staff include world class architects, interior designers, and illustrators that are continuously growing through professional and educational advancement programs. That same culture of diversity, teamwork, and personal growth extends to our deep network of specialized, collaborative consultants.

LEADERSHIP

SHELLIE CURRY
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
President / Owner / Founder

With over 30 years of practice, Shellie Curry’s passion for architecture inspires him to take each project to its highest level of design and efficiency. A specialist in working with extremely tight budgets, he constantly reminds his staff, “We always have the proportions; ideal proportions don’t cost anything, yet they are everything to the architecture.” Shellie received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from the University of Texas in Arlington and his Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

NESTOR ZABALA
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Principal

Nestor Zabala brings an extraordinary amount of zeal and playfulness to his projects, as can be seen in the Silo.5 Wine Bar, Aggio’s of Power Plant Live Baltimore, and the newly debuted Nacho Mama’s Towson.  His commitment to the environment has also brought our firm wide recognition in the completion of several sustainable projects such as the CHAI building for The Associated Jewish Charities and the new Maryland MVA Hilltop facility.  Nestor has over 16 years of experience in architecture and interior design and heads the firms interior design department. He received his Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and his Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin.

NIKKI BROOKS
Director of Design

Nikki is a gifted designer and illustrator who pays special attention to the relationship between form, light, color, and materials.  Her meticulous attention to detail and use of color and texture give her projects an unparalleled visual appeal whether they be large urban multi-use facilities or small utilitarian structures.  Nikki holds a Master of Architecture degree from Boston Architectural College and her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Nikki serves on the Design Review Panel of Baltimore County.

TEAM

DON CONNER
AIA
Project Architect

With over 24 years of experience, Don brings a high level of technical ability and construction expertise to a wide variety of project types. Don has extensive experience with religious, medical, retail, residential, educational, high rise buildings and other project types. Don hails from the mid-west and brings a “can do” attitude to all of his projects whether serving as project architect on the boards or handling field work during construction administration. Don holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Kansas State University.

DESIRE SOEDHARMO
NCARB
Project Manager

Desire has over fourteen years of experience working in multiple project types and phases. She has served as project manager from schematic start to construction administration, and she excels in client services, design, and technical drawings. Desire is a talented designer as well as a proficient technician. Desire received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tarumangara University in Jakarta, Indonesia.

VICTORIA LESTER
ASID, CID
Interior Designer

After receiving her degree in interior design, Vickie worked for an architectural firm in the design and production of both residential and commercial projects. After gaining a sound knowledge of architecture, she moved on to work with some of the best interior design firms in the region. Having over 10 years of experience in both interior design and architecture allows her to bring the best of both worlds to her projects and has lead to the publication of her award winning projects in both Chesapeake Home and Baltimore Magazine. Vickie received her interior design degree from the Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts in York, PA and is a NCIDQ certified interior designer.

LAURA GILLESPIE
Office Manager

Laura is responsible for the day-to-day operations at the Curry Architects office as well as coordinating special events and presentations for clients. She has a decade of experience in office administration and event planning. Laura is involved in the local community as she serves on the Towson University Family Network Board of Directors and volunteers at a local homeless shelter for woman and children. When she is away from work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and reading.

SYLVIA BERGER
Project Coordinator

Sylvia received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Philadelphia University and hails from York County, Pennsylvania. She excels in programs such as Revit and Rhinoceros, and enjoys working on residential, commercial, healthcare design, and the influence of architecture on a user’s experience in a space. In her time outside of work she enjoys attending concerts, working on her cars, painting, and yoga.

RYAN RUMBAOA
Project Designer

In his fifteenth year in Architecture, Ryan has always been focused on achieving great design while having fun doing it. He joins our team as a registered foreign architect from the Philippines, with exposure to a number of different project types. He conceives and implements major and minor projects from conceptualization through documentation. His bright disposition radiates during design collaboration which spills over into consultant coordination and client relations. As an inspired designer he is resourceful, optimistic, and sensible.

DEVON VALLELY
Project Coordinator

Devon recently received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Maryland and provides a fresh and unique way of thinking for the firm. With an engineering background, Devon is able to use his experience to bridge the gap between Architecture and Engineering in order to efficiently and effectively complete projects. New into the field, Devon is excited to contribute to our growing firm.

ELISE BRAUN
Project Coordinator

Elise is a bright recent graduate driving towards licensure as an Architect. Her hard work and attention to detail instigate competition among project managers for her support on their teams. During her time thus far with Curry, Elise has helped improve the office by streamlining office standards, and organizing information systems. She is excited to contribute to diverse projects and always looks forward to the next challenge. Outside the office, Elise finds inspiration in science fiction novels, worldwide adventures, and learning new languages. She earned her BA in Architecture from The Ohio State University and in the future, she hopes to go back to school for her Master’s Degree. When she returns home from work, Elise experiments with new ways to cook eggs.

JASON FISCHER
Jr. Interior Designer

Jason is eagerly starting his career at Curry Architects. Having recently graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Interior Design from the Community College of Baltimore County, Jason has spent three years as part of the American Society of Interior Designers CCBC Charter Board organizing events and coordinating with professionals and fellow students. His acute organization skills and feel for design aided him in the creation of a custom toile textile in the Made in America: All American House 2016 Competition where his team earned the Best Use of Materials and top Best in Design awards.

MICHELLE SMITH
Project Architect

With 18 years of experience working in Maryland, New Mexico and Wisconsin, Michelle brings a variety of building types, detail development and team experiences to each project. Her most recent projects include higher education buildings such as a school of business with a state of the art moot courtroom, gymnasium, dining facilities and dormitories. She has also enjoyed working with a variety of clients such as local school districts, fire departments, law offices and home owners who were renovating their classic Baltimore row homes. Her degree is from the University of Minnesota and she happily followed both of her brothers’ paths to become an Architect.

TOBY RAND
Project Architect

Toby joined the firm in early 2016, moving from Boston with his family to avoid the crushing climate frequently brought on by winters in the North East. He brings extensive experience with luxury residential and residential development projects, and has been involved in institutional, health care, and both domestic and international retail projects. He holds a B.A. in Biology, and received his Masters of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College.

CLAUDIA HUMPHREY
Project Designer

Claudia received her BS in Architectural Technology and AAS in Interior Design from the State University of New York College of Technology in Alfred, NY. Since relocating to Maryland, she has over 10 years of experience in retail and restaurant design with projects in the greater DC and Baltimore areas. With her experience on branded concepts, first-time restaurants, and any hybrid in between, she has gained an attention to detail and a project management style that is well-suited to interior architecture and the fast-paced schedule of retail concept development.

KAREN SALVO
Accounting Manager

Karen brings over 15 years of experience in the accounting field with various organizations. She specializes in Enterprise application software and has implemented new tools for increasing efficiencies throughout the office. Karen has a degree in French Literature and speaks fluent French.

KELLY CORNELL
Interior Designer

During her career as an Interior Designer, Kelly’s portfolio has included luxury single family residences, high-end multi-unit penthouses and five-star hospitality projects across three continents.  She is skilled at creating intimate and exciting experiences in everything from hotel suites to sprawling 30,000 SF residences.  Prior to design and architecture, Kelly had a fifteen year career in business development orchestrating multi-million dollar campaigns for museums, symphonies and universities.  Kelly has a BA in Studio Art & Art History from the University of Maryland, College Park, an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University and a certificate from University of California, Los Angeles & Cal Poly Pomona’s Interior Architecture program.

ALISA KARPUSYUK
Project Designer

Alisa received her BS in Architecture and Environmental Design, as well as her Master of Architecture (2015) from Morgan State University. She has 10 years of experience working in industrial, commercial and residential architecture within the greater Baltimore/DC area. She is always eager to achieve excellence in all phases of a project and enjoys working with clients and team members to achieve the best design. One of her favorite quotes by Frank Gehry is “architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.” She is eagerly preparing to take her Architectural Registration Exams and become licensed. Fun Fact, Alisa is originally from Riga, Latvia and can speak fluent Russian.

KATIE GOODMAN
Interior Designer

Coming from the specialized industry of custom millwork, commercial kitchen, and restaurant design, Katie shares her expertise and passion with the Curry Architects family. Katie holds a Master’s of Science in Interior Architecture + Design from Drexel University and is working towards becoming NCIDQ certified. When not at work Katie enjoys exercising, and spaghetti nights with friends.

SCOTT SANFILIPPO
Project Coordinator

Growing up in Hereford MD, just north of Towson, Scott recently received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from The University of Maryland. With a background in graphic design and construction, Scott appreciates the interplay between the aesthetically pleasing and the functional. New to the field, Scott is eager to learn about, and contribute to, the diverse array of projects that Curry offers.

JOE WANG
Project Coordinator

Joe Wang holds a master of architecture degree from Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the University of Michigan and a bachelor of architecture degree from Guangzhou University in China. He excels at 3D visualization and has a great sensibility of design. He has great experience and skills on digital fabrication and manufacture. “Less is more”.

SHIREEN LI
Project Coordinator

Shireen recently earned her Master Degree of Architecture from University of Michigan. Her skills include an excellent project visualization and sense of color and texture. With a background of digital fabrication, she has a strong capability of making. Right now she is on her way getting licensed as an architect. Outside the office, she likes to travel. Having traveled to five continents (up to twenty countries), she got her sense of beauty and diversity opened up. Except for English and Mandarin, she speaks a bit of Korean and Japanese, too.

RYAN HOLGADO
Project Coordinator

Ryan took a meandering path to architecture, studying astronomy, physics, and philosophy for several years each, before finally earning his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design from Morgan State University. This background gives Ryan a particular perspective when designing the built environment; the structural systems of a building are just as compelling to him as its aesthetic design. He is interested in new and experimental types of housing. Ryan has a chronic case of wanderlust, and travels whenever he gets more than a couple days off.