Love Your Structural Engineer

We believe working alongside your design consultants and engineering partners should be a collaborative and enjoyable experience, regardless of project size, scope, or budget.

Our experienced team approaches each project with passion and professionalism; creatively engineering design solutions for not only our clients, but also their facilities and end users.

Our Leadership

With varied experience and education in architecture, engineering, and construction, our leadership brings a unique, diverse perspective to all of our projects.

Karen
KarenFounding Partner
Karen has over 30 years of experience in structural engineering and design. A licensed engineer and architect, her background in both disciplines gives her a unique perspective for solving problems and understanding client needs. Karen’s experience includes the design of corporate headquarters, mission critical, laboratory and research facilities, educational facilities, faith-based buildings, and a wide variety of adaptive reuse projects. She holds degrees from both the University of Florida and Georgia Tech. Karen sits on the Executive Board of AIA Atlanta. Karen has been named one of ‘100 Influential Women in Engineering’ in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by Engineering Georgia Magazine.
Holly
Holly Founding Partner
Holly has over 30 years of experience in structural engineering. Her expertise lies in structural design, preparation of structural specifications, and construction administration for public and government buildings, higher education facilities, office buildings, hospitals, and multi-family housing. Holly has experience working with all types of structural systems including concrete, steel, wood, and masonry. Holly holds her BS in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech. She is a member of AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) and a regular volunteer jury member with CANSTRUCTION Atlanta. Holly is also a member of the Architectural Review Board for the City of Chamblee.
Malory
Malory Founding Partner
Malory has a unique background in both construction and engineering operations. She holds a BS degree in Building Construction from Georgia Tech and an MBA in Marketing from Georgia State University. Her technical, marketing, business development and tech startup experience provides a specialized expertise in managing the firm’s business operations. Malory currently serves as the chair of Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) for ULI, and well as an UrbanPlan Facilitator for ULI Atlanta. She is a 2019 graduate of the Center for Leadership. Malory was named ‘Small Business Person of the Year’ by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2018, one of Georgia State University’s 40 under 40 in 2019, and one of ‘100 Influential Women in Engineering’ by Engineering Georgia in February 2020.
Ben
Ben Associate Principal
Ben has over 10 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry. He has worked on a variety of project and structure types, preparing construction documents for new construction, renovations and building additions for commercial, institutional, federal, and educational projects. His understanding of the constructibility of projects is an asset throughout the design phase to provide safe, feasible, and economical designs. Ben holds a MS degree in Structural Engineering from Clemson University.
Kartik
KartikAssociate Principal
Kartik has over 13 years of experience in the engineering construction industry. He has worked on a variety of project and structure types, engineering and preparing construction documents for commercial, multifamily housing, mixed use, adaptive reuse, institutional, federal, and educational projects throughout his career. Kartik is well versed in today’s design and construction technology, utilizing BIM, coordination, and design collaboration software. He holds a BS degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas and a MS degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech.

“Shear’s been an integral part of our collaborative workflow from concept to completion.  This relationship is paramount during construction since the design team’s role shifts to supporting the construction professional. “

DAVID BROWN • STUDIO DIRECTOR, Jericho Design Group

“When challenges arise with projects, Karen and her staff are always proactive in their approach to develop the best solution.”

DAN GERDING • OWNER, Gerding Collaborative

“Shear’s been an excellent partner in maintaining a high level of customer service by being accessible, responding quickly to challenges and contributing at a creative level in solving problems.”

DAVID BROWN • STUDIO DIRECTOR, Jericho Design Group

“Great Company! Karen is a joy to work with, open, very-very knowledgeable and engaging!  A great partner!”

LEE HIGGINS • OPERATIONS MANAGER, Jamestown

Awards & Recognition

Recognizing the people, projects, and partnerships behind our success. From national workplace honors to industry excellence, we’re proud to celebrate the achievements that reflect our commitment to great engineering and an even greater team.

Zweig Group 2025 #1 Best Firm To Work For – Structural Engineering

PSMJ 2026 Circle of Excellence – Platinum Winner

Zweig Group 2019 Top New Venture

2026

Circle of Excellence Platinum Award – PSMJ Resources

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources
Talent Productivity Award – Operational Excellence Awards – BQE CORE

2025

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

#1 Best Firm to Work For — Structural Engineering – Zweig Group
#3 Best Firm to Work For — 10–49 Employees – Zweig Group

2024

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

Best Places to Work — Micro Company – Atlanta Business Chronicle

2023

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

Georgia Small Business ROCK STAR – Metro Atlanta Region – Georgia Department of Economic Development / GEDA

2022

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

2021

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

#6 Best Firm to Work For — 1–49 Employees – Zweig Group

2020

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

#3 Best Firm to Work For — 1–49 Employees – Zweig Group

2019

Circle of Excellence – PSMJ Resources

Top New Venture — 3rd Place – Zweig Group

Award-Winning Projects

Celebrating the projects and partnerships that bring exceptional engineering to life.

2025
Chastain Horse Park Renovation & Expansion
Award of Merit — Specialty Construction
ENR Southeast Best Projects

Supporting a mission of healing through horses, this renovation and expansion created new spaces for therapeutic horsemanship and community connection. Shear Structural provided structural engineering services to help bring this meaningful Atlanta project to life.

2025
Westside Paper
Honor Award — Renovation/Restoration/Adaptive Reuse over $1M
AIA Georgia Design Awards

Industrial history meets a new chapter at Westside Paper. Shear Structural provided structural engineering for the transformation of the former Atlanta Paper Company property into a vibrant destination for offices, retail, and gathering—preserving its distinctive character while supporting a bold architectural vision.

2025
Navy Yard Charleston
Best Project — Renovation/Restoration
ENR Southeast Best Projects

Preserving the past while making room for what comes next, Navy Yard Charleston gives historic naval buildings a renewed purpose. Shear Structural contributed structural engineering services to help adapt these distinctive spaces for contemporary use while honoring their industrial heritage.

2024
The Melody
Merit Award — Affordable and Workforce Housing – AIA Atlanta Design Awards

Transforming a former parking lot into a place of possibility, The Melody provides 40 homes crafted from repurposed shipping containers. Shear Structural served as structural engineer on this innovative rapid-housing community, helping create spaces that offer stability, dignity, and connection for people transitioning out of homelessness.

2023
Trees Atlanta Kendeda TreeHouse
Excellence in Mission Advancement — ULI Atlanta

Designed to connect people with nature, the Kendeda TreeHouse brings Trees Atlanta’s conservation mission to life. Shear Structural served as structural engineer for this community-focused headquarters, where wood construction, welcoming gathering spaces, and sustainable design support environmental education and stewardship.

2022
ASHRAE Net Zero Headquarters
AIA Georgia Honor Award
ENR Southeast Excellence in Sustainability

A new purpose for an existing building—and a model for a more sustainable future. Shear Structural collaborated with the design team to transform a 1970s-era office building in Peachtree Corners into ASHRAE’s net-zero-energy global headquarters, demonstrating the possibilities of thoughtful renovation.

Organizations & Associations

We believe in giving back to both our local Atlanta community and our industry. We are honored to volunteer and serve on and with some of the best organizations in the Southeast: