The Impact of the Professional Women in Building Leadership Grant

Now more than ever, women play a critical role in shaping the future of the home building industry. NAHB's Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council is dedicated to breaking down barriers and opening doors in this male-dominated field.

While there is still more work to be done, the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows steady progress: the number of women in construction has grown from 929,000 in 2015 to 1,343,000 in 2024. To support this growing presence, PWB's annual scholarship programs provide students and emerging professionals with the resources, support and opportunities they need to thrive and lead in the housing industry.

Funding the Future

In collaboration with the National Housing Endowment (NHE), PWB's scholarship fund encourages women to further their education and training in housing industry related fields. Three PWB/NHE scholarships are awarded annually to qualified applicants, including the Strategies for Success Scholarship, Building Hope Scholarship and the Leadership Grant.

The Leadership Grant provides fully covered travel expenses to NAHB's Spring Leadership Meeting in Washington, D.C., giving rising professionals a chance to experience one of the association's biggest yearly gatherings of the men and women who are shaping residential construction today. Grant recipients have a unique chance to observe NAHB's councils and committees in action and to take part in large-scale advocacy at the annual Legislative Conference on Capitol Hill.

Inspiring Tomorrow's Role Models

NAHB talked with Lexi Baker, the 2025 Leadership Grant recipient, at this year's Spring Leadership Meeting and she emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation of women in the industry.

"I have a little girl myself, a five-year-old daughter, so getting to represent this industry and the potential we have - I'm thrilled to get to be that for her, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to spread that outside my own household," she shared.

With support from PWB, Baker is not only advancing her own professional development - she's also serving as a powerful role model for her daughter and for future women leaders across the industry.

While the construction field has traditionally been male-dominated, more women are forging paths and finding meaningful connections along the way.

Reflecting on her own experience, Baker shared, "Being a national builder has been a very interesting process, but it's also been largely with males. So, I'm getting to find these little pockets where I can really see women in these roles and meet people who have walked the path that I'm walking."

Leaving a Lasting Impact

Lisa Bellman-Cortez, the 2023 PWB Leadership Grant recipient, reflected on how pivotal the grant and attending the Spring Leadership Meetings were to her journey.

"Because of that experience, I stepped into leadership and now serve as an NAHB PWB Trustee, Chair of the Associates Advocacy Subcommittee and Associates Members Committee. Honestly, without the grant, I do not know if I would have gotten this deeply involved. It set me on the path I am on today, and my entire experience with NAHB has been fulfilling and rewarding in ways I never could have imagined."

Bellman-Cortez's local PWB, the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte, now hosts an annual Construction Camp for Girls which gives girls opportunities to explore building and construction in a hands-on environment. They learn skills, use tools and hear directly from women with careers in home building.

"Seeing young girls pick up tools for the first time, build something with their own hands and leave with confidence, that is very powerful. We are breaking down barriers and changing mindsets. It has brought our members, builders and partners together in such a meaningful way, and it shows the impact PWB can have when we invest in others."

From local initiatives to national leadership opportunities, PWB continues to create pathways for women to grow, lead, and inspire. By getting involved, members are shaping a stronger, more inclusive future for the building industry.

Learn more about PWB scholarships and how to apply.

Also, discover how you can get involved in the SkillsUSA + PWB collaboration, which aims to inspire and mentor students locally and build a robust construction workforce pipeline.

View what's coming next for PWB Week here.