By Jennifer Taylor, Professional Women in Building Council Chair, Brookfield Properties Development
As we close out the first year of the GHBA’s Professional Women in Building Council (PWB), we do so with a grateful heart. At over 320 enthusiastic members, the GHBA PWB continues to be the largest in the country!
Focused on celebrating women and their achievements across the building industry, the GHBA PWB hosted a variety of events for council members. From traditional networking events to virtual workshops, the PWB hopes to offer benefits accessible to all its members that work with their busy schedules. The hope is to also offer different programing for everyone and be flexible so that attendance is optimized.
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Most recently, the PWB had a scary good time with council members at Witches Who Wine. Thank you to Authenticus for lending their beautiful showroom. Offering 2D and 3D high-definition renderings and modeling services, Authenticus allows visitors to see and walkthrough their individual projects. They used their technologies to transform their showroom into a haunting setting, projecting images on the floor, walls, and even tables! Channeling all the spirits with event sponsors Day & Night; Expressions Home Gallery; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery; and SRG Stairs.
Those that attended enjoyed grazing charcuterie boards while sommelier, Scott Griffin, walked the 75 witches in attendance through two white wine and two red wines. Discussing food pairings and learning how to identify flavor profiles of wines, all attendees left in high spirits with a commemorative PWB wine glass!
Consistently looking for ways to give back, details are being finalized for a mentorship program that will be available to all council members. When recently polled, many council members raised their hands indicating that they would love to grow their network of professionals as well as grow professionally in their roles in homebuilding.
A top goal set by for the council is to be seen as a rich resource for members covering educational topics such as financial responsibilities and continuing education. Additionally, we want all members to find friendship and fellowship in the council. Offering mentorship programs for our members is something unique to the association and provides PWB members an invaluable opportunity to grow within our industry.
Tackling our first philanthropy project for the year, feminine products and toiletries were collected and donated to Compassion United. Starting as a simple mission to feed the homeless, Compassion Untied has grown into the most comprehensive support ministry in Montgomery County. This is just the first of many organizations PWB wishes to touch.
Thankful for all the efforts done by the executive board and council members, the team is ecstatic with the accomplishments made in their first year of service and have many plans for the future. The PWB will continue to be a notable place where it can showcase what an important role women play in the homebuilding industry.
To learn more or join the movement, visit www.ghba.org/pwb/