Strength in Numbers: The Power of Professional Women in Building Councils

Professional Women in Building (PWB) councils of all sizes are helping reshape the narrative in the home building industry nationwide. They provide spaces where women not only thrive professionally, but also build lasting relationships and advocate for meaningful change. In fact, the best PWB councils are hubs that merge inspiration and education with recreation and connection.

Interviews with leaders from 2024's award-winning PWB councils reveal how these groups are driving professional development, fostering mentorship and strengthening community ties within their local home builders' associations.

Professional Development Through Purposeful Programming

For Linda Garvey, who was the chair of the Metropolitan Builders and Contractors Association of New Jersey (or Metro)'s PWB council when they were named 2024 PWB Council of the Year in the small category, the key to maximizing the value they offered their members was prioritizing the quality of meetings and events over quantity.

"Our events offered time for networking one-on-one, a topic with discussion traditionally in small groups, and then the opportunity for each [member] to speak in front of the entire group to introduce themselves and talk briefly about their business," Garvey said.

Metro's PWB also began collaborating with the association's other councils, such as Sales and Marketing, to broaden their impact.

The 2024 PWB Council of the Year in the medium category, the Master Builders Association (MBA) of Pierce County's PWB in Tacoma, Wash., has its own twist on this approach: Their networking events are hosted by members onsite at their own businesses. Carol Pope, the council's 2024 chair, is proud of their ability to give back to their membership through these opportunities.

These events "help bring new members but also retain the ones we have because we are truly trying to promote them and their business," Pope said.

Mentorship and Intergenerational Collaboration

PWB councils also provide myriad opportunities for collaboration between seasoned professionals and emerging leaders. Mentorship programs and intergenerational events bridge experience with innovation and ensure a bright future for the industry.

The 2024 PWB Council of the Year in the large category, the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA)'s PWB in Houston, served as the catalyst for the entire HBA's mentorship program, which brings together mentors and mentees across the association.

"The mentors tell us they get as much out of the program as the mentees by building their network, learning about new trends and feeling fulfilled in supporting their newer colleagues," shared Aimee Bertrand, executive vice president and CEO of GHBA.

Metro in New Jersey has a healthy mix of ages among its membership, something for which Garvey is grateful. "Our younger members often bring fresh perspectives on technology, social media and modern marketing strategies, while our more experienced members provide invaluable institutional knowledge, mentorship and a deep understanding of the industry's history and challenges," she said.

Advocacy with Impact

PWB councils are perfect for amplifying advocacy efforts and uniting voices around shared goals. Bailee Butcher, interim executive officer and director of communications at Pierce County, discussed how having a PWB council is crucial to organizing their HBA's advocacy efforts.

"The council gives us structure and resources to plan events, connect with community leaders and create opportunities to educate the public about the building industry," Butcher explained.

Dozens of GHBA's PWB members join the Texas Association of Builders to meet with elected officials twice a year for a "Rally Day" at the Texas Capitol. The council's participation contributed to GHBA winning an award for the most Rally Day attendees from a local association, and this year they sent their first-ever team of all female members.

Maximizing Their Unique Strengths

Whether small and agile or large and resource-rich, each council brings unique advantages. Smaller councils tend to benefit from their tight-knit communities and have more flexible programming.

For example, due to their smaller resource pool, members of Metro's PWB council often have to serve multiple roles, and have to get very creative and resourceful to achieve their goals, Garvey said.

"Decision-making is often faster ... because there are fewer people to get on the same page. We also have the flexibility to tailor our events and initiatives to the specific needs and interests of our members," Garvey added.

On the flip side, Bertrand noted that large councils "run the risk of losing intimacy and connection among members." Her council works hard to combat this, perhaps most successfully with their annual Ladies Who Lead Luncheon, which hosts upwards of 300 people each year.

"You would expect that audience to largely be separated into tables [creating a lack of] opportunities for true networking and relationship building. But that event has become an annual must-attend for many of our PWB council members," said Bertrand, citing both the inspiring presentations and the interpersonal connections made among attendees in helping retain a level of closeness despite the council's size.

Getting the Job Done

The voices of these PWB leaders reveal a powerful truth: When women in building come together, they build more than homes. They build careers, confidence and community. Through professional development, mentorship and advocacy, these councils are transforming the industry.

Learn more about NAHB's Professional Women in Building Week (Sept. 15-19).