Architecture today is as much about orchestrating relationships and frameworks as it is about shaping physical space. It calls for leaders who see the bigger picture and can connect ideas to real outcomes, masterfully balancing program, process, and people with the practical realities of each project.

Recently named one of Baltimore Business Journal's 40 Under 40, Jessica Pagan Aello is recognized for her distinctive ability to do just that. As Principal and leader of Hanbury’s Baltimore office, she brings decades of higher education, mixed-use, and planning experience, guiding her team with a commitment to meaningful work and a clear sense of purpose.

In the following Q+A, Jessica reflects on the projects and mentors that have shaped her path, the work that energizes her, and what continues to inspire her, both in and out of the office.

What is your earliest memory at Hanbury?

My second day at Hanbury was pretty memorable. I had just flown down to Norfolk for onboarding and ended up attending Pharrell's Mighty Dream Forum with David Keith. It was definitely the most engaging and inspiring first day of work I’ve ever had. It set the tone right away. There’s this culture of community engagement, inspiration, and authentic, mission-driven work. I remember sending a photo to friends and saying, “I might meet Pharrell today!” From my first week, I thought: apparently, anything is possible at Hanbury.

A standout project 

Columbia’s New Cultural Center is one I’ve carried with me for over a decade. I started working on it as a junior designer in 2014, when it was still just an idea in the Downtown Columbia Master Plan. Since then, I’ve led three major redesigns, each one shaped by new partners, new challenges, and the need to stay true to the community’s vision. The project brings together mixed-income housing, performance and visual arts, and recreational space under one roof, creating a place where daily life and creativity intersect. Seeing it finally break ground this summer felt like watching something come full circle, both for the city and for me.

A mentor

That’s easy - Tom Zeigenfuss, whom I am lucky enough to have worked with for over 15 years. Tom has taught me a great deal about leadership and client relationships, as well as how to navigate complex situations with poise and grace. He always treated me as an equal, even when I was just starting out. Tom is such a master of discernment and diplomacy. He can reduce the temperature in a room instantly. I’m more direct, so I’m still working on finding that balance, but it’s something I try to emulate, and he has been both an inspiration and a guide.

A recent source of inspiration

Some of the most interesting inspiration I’ve had lately has come from working with CLLCTIVLY, a nonprofit that brings Black entrepreneurs together in Baltimore to create a connected network and help position them for success. We’ve been helping with visioning and programming for their new co-working and event space in Baltimore. There’s a real sincerity in how they’ve grown, even without their own space. It’s a good reminder of the value and importance of community engagement and why we do what we do.

What excites you the most about our industry?

The ever-changing complexity. I don’t like to sit idle, and this profession is all about problem-solving. Every project, client, and community is different, and their needs keep evolving. What’s a constraint to some is an opportunity to me, and that sparks creativity. And as our industry evolves, value is more important than ever: what is the mission of our clients and their communities, and how can space and design support those needs, especially for the users we serve?

Favorite city you’ve visited

Barcelona is my all-time favorite - amazing culture, architecture, and food. But Cusco, Peru, was an unexpected favorite. The city and country have incredible history, and you can go from the beach to Lima to Cusco and even up to Machu Picchu or into the rainforest. I highly recommend it.

A place you'd like to visit that you haven't yet.

I’d love to visit Scandinavia. As an architect, it has so much to offer around connection to nature, daylight, modern use of materials, tectonic expression, and it would be culturally very different for me.

If not architecture, what alternative career path would you have pursued?

When I was about eight, I told my parents I was going to be the first female president of the United States. I was determined to be a lawyer up until I was about 17, which my parents say makes sense because I loved arguing and writing. Looking back, I probably would have gone into law or government.

Early bird or night owl?

These days, I’m somewhere in the middle - whatever gets me the most sleep! I used to be an early bird, but with kids and career, I’ve had to become more flexible.

One thing you can't live without

Definitely my hybrid barre and HIIT classes (shoutout to Fitness by Oxy). They keep me grounded and are truly my meditative “me” time.

Do you have any special hobbies, talents or interests?

I love to read fantasy novels and true-crime thrillers. My office colleagues and friends definitely make fun of me for it. I’m also really into hiking and camping. Every year, our family goes to the Shenandoahs to see the leaves in October, and we collect national park patches. Acadia is a favorite!