Passion and hard work go hand in hand. Shelley Lin, Keystone Trust scholar has got both in spades, as demonstrated by her achievements: school dux, Master of Architecture with first class honours, fluent in two languages, musically talented, an artist, a mother. And much more.
Family Sacrifice Fuels Career Ambition.
It was the grit and determination of her parents – who migrated from China when she was just six years old in order to give her a better future – that drove her . “I was determined to excel and do them proud. I did not want to disappoint them,” says Shelley, now senior associate at Daniel Marshall Architects in Auckland.
How things have changed since Shelley first joined that practice as an intern. “When I started, there was only one other woman. The rest were Pākehā males”. Now there’s a lot more cultural diversity, and half her colleagues are women. This trend is reflected across the industry as a whole, she notes.
A Keystone Trust Scholarship Opens Doors.
How Shelley got here is in large part due to Keystone, she says. The former Auckland Girls’ Grammar student applied for every scholarship she could in order to alleviate her parents’ financial burden (they were also supporting her sister and her China-based grandmother at the time). Shelley was originally granted a three-year scholarship. Then she had the opportunity to extend it for a further two years to enable her to do her Masters
When I found out I’d been successful with Keystone, I was so excited and relieved. My university experience would be so much more limited without it. It’s allowed me to be bold and brave.
During her studies, Keystone alumnus Mary Henry – also an architect, who mentored Shelley – left a deep impression on her. So did Martin Skinner from Kiwi Income Property Trust, who gave her a glimpse into what lay ahead.
Equally skilled in the arts as in the sciences, Shelley determined at an early age to be an architect – following in the footsteps of her uncle and grandfather. (Her mother had also aspired to architecture, but could not realise her dreams – further spurring Shelley to achieve hers.)
Leading Design with Collaboration and Cultural Insight.
At Daniel Marshall, she works on all stages of design: from concept to construction. The end result is a celebration of collaboration. “I’m really passionate when I see a great set of design documents married with a great construction team and it all comes to life. I’ve learnt so much from consultants, builders and sub trades. I really value their expertise.”
She also celebrates her heritage and how it marries with a mix of clients. “I’m uniquely placed because I straddle two cultures,” she says.
Her projects reflect industry trends towards sustainability, including the use of more timber and less harmful chemical compounds.
Keystone enabled Shelley to be more creative, and creativity is a great way of relieving anxiety, in her eyes. Her continued creative pursuits now extend to lessons in playing the erhu – a two-stringed instrument often called the Chinese violin. It’s something her late grandfather played and it’s another aspect of biculturalism that she embraces.
University may have presented a few struggles at times for Shelley when she had to learn to manage the high expectations she put on herself. But her really supportive family and the Keystone network nurtured her and she grew to love it. And now? “I love my job even more than university.”
Shelley’s journey is just one of many made possible through the support of Keystone Trust and its sponsors across the property industry. With backing from organisations like Vincent Capital, the Trust continues to open doors for students who show promise, passion and perseverance—often in the face of financial and personal challenges. That support isn’t just an investment in individual futures; it helps shape a more diverse, skilled and representative industry for generations to come.
