The homebuilding industry is evolving, and one of its greatest opportunities lies in attracting the next generation of talent — especially young women. From construction management and architecture to sales, design, marketing, and skilled trades, the industry offers rewarding and impactful career paths that many students may never have considered.
Across the Greater Houston Builders Association, members of the Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) are helping change that narrative through Workforce Development initiatives focused on outreach, education, and mentorship. By connecting directly with students in schools and community programs, our members are showing young women that they belong in the homebuilding industry and can build successful careers within it.
Stephanie Goldsby (right), Workforce Development Committee chair and PWB member; and GHBA President Chris Bolio (left) visit a first-grade classroom to share “The House That She Built” children’s book.
(L to R): PWB board member Jo Dunham, Sandcastle Homes; GHBA President Chris Bolio, Alair Homes; Gina Hicks, FBS Appliance; and PWB Past President Sherry Pruitt, Whodid It Designs & Remodeling at Spring Branch ISD Career Exploration event.
(L to R): GHBA Scholarship Committee Chair Pat Wilson, Legends Architectural Stone; GHBA Past President Adam Aschmann, Tilson Homes; PWB Past President Sherry Pruitt, Whodid It Designs & Remodeling; and GHBA Past President Matthew Reibenstein, Story Built Homes.
Students from Workforce Partner programs were invited to attend and explore the 2025 GHBA Homebuilding and Remodeling Expo alongside PWB and GHBA leadership.
One of the most impactful aspects of these efforts is the opportunity for students to meet real professionals who can share their experiences firsthand. In March 2025, Jo Dunham, Gina Hicks, PWB Past President Sherry Pruitt, and GHBA President Chris Bolio participated in Spring Branch ISD’s Career Exploration event, where they spoke with high school students about their individual career journeys in construction and homebuilding. Through honest conversations about their roles and experiences, they helped students better understand the variety of opportunities available in the industry.
Introducing students to construction careers at an early age can also have a lasting impact. During Careers in Construction Month in October 2025, Stephanie Goldsby, Workforce Development Committee Chair and PWB member, joined Chris Bolio, in visiting a first-grade classroom in Humble ISD. Together, they read The House That She Built, a children’s book designed to introduce young students to women working in construction careers. Each student received an activity book and a hard hat squishy to reinforce the lesson in a fun and memorable way.
Early exposure to a variety of careers can help normalize the idea of women thriving in construction and homebuilding careers. This past April, Tyler-Kate Honore, a member of both the Workforce Development Committee and PWB, spoke at Creekwood Middle School at Humble ISD’s Career Day. The following day, Kristal Casey also represented the industry at West Lake Middle School’s Career Day. These engagements help students begin thinking about future career possibilities during formative years when they are starting to shape their interests and aspirations.
Industry events also provide valuable opportunities for students to engage directly with professionals and experience the breadth of the industry firsthand. At the 2025 GHBA Homebuilding and Remodeling Expo, students from Workforce Partner Programs were invited to attend and explore the event. GHBA members, including many PWB members, welcomed the students and spent time interacting with them throughout the day. Sherry Pruitt, addressed the students during the opening program, encouraging them to explore the many career pathways available within the homebuilding industry.
When young women see successful female professionals working in construction, leading teams, managing projects, and shaping communities, they begin to envision themselves in those roles as well. With the construction industry facing a 2.2 million worker shortfall over the next 3 years, there are more opportunities now than ever before for women to enter the industry. Currently women make up 11.2% of the construction workforce, but this number is growing every day. The future workforce depends on expanding awareness of the opportunities available.
For the past three years, the PWB has sponsored a scholarship through GHBA’s Annual Scholarship Program to encourage women pursuing a career in the homebuilding or construction industry. The PWB accepts donations throughout the year to fund a scholarship that helps ensure more women can pursue a rewarding career in our industry. We will be collecting scholarship donations at the upcoming Ladies Who Lead Luncheon in September.
Attracting more young women to homebuilding is not a one-time initiative, it requires ongoing engagement from industry professionals at every level. How can you help? Fortunately, there are practical ways every member can help make a difference:
- Volunteer at local school career days and workforce development events to share your career story and industry experiences.
- Use social media to create engaging behind the scenes content with project updates, home tours or “a day in the life.” Younger audiences are drawn to visual and relatable content.
- Mentor young women entering the industry by offering guidance, encouragement, and networking opportunities.
- Promote female leadership and success stories within your company and professional organizations to increase visibility and representation.
- Support hands-on learning experiences, internships, and job shadowing opportunities that allow students to see the industry in action.
The work being done by GHBA’s Professional Women in Building Council demonstrates that even small interactions can leave a lasting impression, and perhaps inspire the next generation of women leaders in the industry we all love.