NAHB PWB Members Inspire Industry Success

Professional Women in Building (PWB) Week is an annual opportunity to highlight some of the inspiring women that help pave the way for others in the industry. NAHB PWB members celebrate throughout the week by spreading positive messages on social media, taking part in online webinars and sharing their stories about how they work to make a difference in the field.

Alicia Huey, a Birmingham, Ala.-based custom home builder and NAHB’s 2022 First Vice Chairman, is a shining example of success in the industry. As founder of AGH Homes, Inc., Huey has been a leader across her home state of Alabama and at the national level of NAHB, serving on the NAHB Board of Directors for more than 15 years.

Huey has also chaired several NAHB committees, including the NAHB PWB Council in 2012. She was named PWB Woman of Year in 2008, receiving the residential construction industry’s premier award recognizing exceptional achievement in the building industry and extraordinary contributions advocating for the advancement of women in the profession.

Habitat for Humanity honored Huey with their 2011 Volunteer of the Year award recognizing more than a decade of volunteer service. She served as chair of the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham from 2012-2014. Huey’s other honors include induction into the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders Hall of Fame in 2008 and Builder of the Year in 2012. The Home Builders Association of Alabama recognized her with their Builder of the Year award in 2014.

Huey is expected to become the third woman in the association’s history to hold the highest rank when she becomes chairman of NAHB’s Board of Directors in 2023.

Long-time PWB member Judy Dinelle loves to share the story of NAHB's PWB Council to just about anyone who will listen. As 84 Lumber’s "Building Ambassador," she travels the country as the company’s liaison to local home builder associations, and generates lots of great buzz for women in the building industry along the way.

Dinelle, the 2018 Chair of the NAHB PWB Council, has a passion for introducing students to the home building industry and works hard to be a positive role model for women, children, parents and school counselors, touting the many benefits of pursuing a career in the trades.

Dinelle was the 2019 PWB Woman of the Year, recognizing her many accomplishments that demonstrate her exceptional contributions to the industry.

“If you want something, go get it,” is Dinelle’s famous saying. As the only woman in a room full of men many times early in her career she says she did not allow any pushback, which made her stronger and work harder, a trait she credits to her mother.

The 2021 NAHB PWB Member of the Year, Emily Boyd, is the director of land acquisition for Brookfield Properties in San Ramon, Calif. She is also the 2022 president of the PWB council of the Building Industry Association (BIA) Bay Area. The Member of the Year award recognizes an individual's accomplishments in the home building industry and their community as well as their dedication to improving the industry.

“Being named the NAHB PWB Member of the Year is a remarkable achievement in any year, but to be awarded in 2021 felt really special,” Boyd said. “To receive the honor as PWB councils across the country were gaining momentum, making strides, and accomplishing huge goals is something I will forever pride myself in both personally and professionally. Sometimes we forget that as we’re being inspired and pushing forward that we're setting an example as well; what an amazing way to be reminded.”

If you know a woman in the industry that shares her strength through leadership and professional excellence, share her story and nominate her for an NAHB PWB Award.

Thank you to PWB Week exclusive sponsor Lowe’s Pro.