For Shara Castillo, Principal at ZGF, fundamentals are the building blocks of fun. Knowing the difference between a good decision and a bad one, sticking tightly to a project schedule, and never leaving an assumption unchecked are the cornerstones of Shara’s principled leadership style. With architectural projects across the country, Shara draws inspiration from many different locales, such as Los Angeles–a melting pot of ideas, cultures, topographies, and architectural styles. Thriving on the magic variety brings, Shara welcomes a final product that successfully integrates disparate pieces, while optimizing the local climate. This enables Shara to create high-impact sustainable design solutions that provide operational savings for her clients and help preserve the environment for years to come. Shara served as a USGBC-LA board member from 2015-2018 and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Architecture.