The Greater Houston Builders Association is thrilled to welcome a new member to TEAM GHBA. Eliza Wernick joined the GHBA staff as office manager and special events assistant in July. Prior to joining GHBA as full-time staff, she filled in temporarily to help support office management and education needs while other team members were on leave.
GHBA CEO Aimee Bertrand sat down with Eliza to help members get to know more about her!
Aimee Bertrand (AB): Where did you grow up?
Eliza Wernick (EW): I was born and raised in Houston! I love traveling and collecting new adventures, but no matter where I go, Houston will always have my heart. Between the incredible food, the wonderfully diverse community, and the fact that I can experience all four seasons in the same week (thanks, Texas!), there’s truly no place like home.
AB: Did you ever take a woodshop-type class in school?
I never took woodshop, but Theatre and Tech Theatre came surprisingly close. We learned to safely wield power tools, build with two-by-fours, solve problems on the fly, and embrace the fact that mistakes are often just part of the creative process. Together, we built sets that weren’t meant to be lived in—they were meant to be believed in. With enough wood, paint, fabric, and teamwork, an empty stage could become a castle, a forest, or a family home. I think that’s one of the first places I learned that the most meaningful things we build aren’t always permanent, they’re the experiences that leave people feeling something.
AB: What made you decide to come to work for GHBA?
EW: I’ve always enjoyed the people, the events, and the sense of community that GHBA creates.
I began my career managing corporate learning events, where I discovered how much I love bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. During the pandemic, I transitioned into IT to challenge myself, sharpen my problem-solving skills, and build a deeper technical foundation. It was an incredible opportunity to grow, but over time I realized I missed the energy, creativity, and human connection that come with event management.
What drew me to GHBA is that it brings together everything I enjoy most. I get to blend creativity with organization, technology with hospitality, and strategy with service, all while supporting an industry that quite literally builds communities. Being part of an organization with such a strong commitment to advocacy, education, and connect people makes this role feel like more than just a job; it feels like the perfect place to bring together everything I’ve learned along the way.
AB: What events or projects are you looking forward to working on with the GHBA Team and why?
EW: There are two projects I’m especially excited to support, and I love that they sit on completely opposite ends of the spectrum.
The first is Operation Finally Home. Projects that improve the lives of our nation’s Veterans hold a very special place in my heart. I’ve had the privilege of sitting in healing circles with Veterans, listening to their stories, their resilience, and the sacrifices they’ve made. Those experiences taught me that a home is so much more than walls and a roof – it’s a place where healing begins, families reconnect, and hope is rebuilt. When we create spaces where Veterans can feel safe, supported, and seen, we’re not just building houses; we’re investing in stronger families, stronger communities, and ultimately a stronger humanity. I can’t think of a more meaningful way for our industry to give back.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I’m really looking forward to the PRISM Awards!If Operation Finally Home is about touching hearts, PRISM is about celebrating them. It’s the night we get to recognize the incredible talent, craftsmanship, and innovation that make this industry so special. It’s also the one day we all get to dress for the job we really want… being royalty, even if only for one evening! I absolutely love creating experiences where people feel celebrated, appreciated, and proud of what they’ve accomplished. There’s something magical about seeing months of planning culminate in an evening where members can simply enjoy the moment they’ve worked so hard to earn.
To me, those two events perfectly capture what makes GHBA so special. One reminds us why we build. The other reminds us to celebrate what we’ve built. Being part of both would be an incredible privilege.
AB: Do you have any pets?
EW: I have what I like to call a Cat Triangle. Much like the Bermuda Triangle, strange and unexplainable phenomena seem to occur whenever my three cats converge: mysterious crashes in the middle of the night, spontaneous wrestling matches, and random objects appearing in places they have absolutely no business being. The culprits? Mr. PstPst, The Boy, and Koi.
Rounding out the chaos is my incredibly handsome Holland Lop bunny, Henry, who has graciously taken it upon himself to redesign much of my shoe collection with his signature nibble-and-distress technique. Apparently, he’s a fan of custom footwear.
AB: What do you do when you are away from the office?
EW: My first memory of falling in love was singing. I was too young to call it a hobby—it was simply love. Later, I discovered theatre and was convinced I had found my greatest passion. Then I became a mom and realized love has many forms, and the passions that shape us only continue to grow.
Outside of work, I’m endlessly curious. I love singing, acting, painting (mostly cat portraits by numbers), practicing yoga, tracking solar activity, trying new foods, exploring different cultures, and happily disappearing down the occasional research rabbit hole when something captures my imagination. I’m also the go-to party planner and the group’s self-appointed junior astrologer—always happy to organize a celebration or explain why Mercury probably isn’t to blame.
I think the human experience is about continually discovering ourselves and the world around us. Much like the moon, I’m always moving through different phases. I won’t be the same person tomorrow that I am today, and I hope I never am. Every new experience leaves me a little wiser, a little more grateful, and a little more in awe of this wonderfully strange life we get to live.
AB: What is your go-to restaurant recommendation for guests from out-of-town?
EW: I don’t believe you can experience Houston through just one restaurant—you have to eat your way through the city.
The first stop after I pick you up from the airport is Vidas Mariscos on Highway 249 for a giant ceviche platter. It’s vibrant, fresh, and the perfect reminder that Houston’s food scene is as diverse as the people who call it home. It’s my favorite way to say, “Welcome to Houston!”
The next morning, we’re starting bright and early at Tamales Don Pepe. Have you even lived if you haven’t started your day with a fresh tamale? They have plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, and I love introducing people to beautiful regional ingredients like flor de calabaza (pumpkin blossom) and homemade blue corn tortillas. It’s one of those places that feels like a hidden gem until you realize half of Houston already knows about it.
Later that day, I’m probably cooking… but before that, we’re making a mandatory pilgrimage to H-E-B. I know it’s technically a grocery store, but every Texan knows H-E-B is really a cultural experience. Come hungry, sample everything, admire the fresh tortillas rolling off the machine, and leave wondering why every state doesn’t have one. I refuse to let a guest leave Texas without experiencing it.
Then it’s time for a Texans game, because Houston isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about the energy we share. We’ll grab a Trill Burger, load up on El Tiempo’s legendary stadium nachos, cheer until we’re hoarse, and leave feeling like honorary Houstonians.
Before you head home, we’re having lunch at the Phoenicia Café, then wandering the aisles of Phoenicia Specialty Foods with a coffee in hand, discovering spices, pastries, cheeses, and ingredients from around the world. It’s one of my favorite places to lose track of time because every aisle feels like a passport stamp.
And if we still have room (we’ll make room), we’re ending at Hokkaido because every city deserves a sushi spot that’s fresh enough to impress your foodie friends, affordable enough to become part of your weekly routine, and welcoming enough that everyone feels like a regular.
Houston isn’t a city you visit—it’s a city you taste. Every meal tells a story, every neighborhood has a different flavor, and every stop introduces you to another culture. That’s one of the things I love most about living here.
…And if you’re following this itinerary, take me with you!
Stop by and visit Eliza at the GHBA office or an upcoming event…she’ll be delighted to talk with you about renting our office space or talk with you about what she is cooking or painting or planning!