How does a home building association create a successful local women’s building council?
HBAV’s Women Building Virginia council brought together leaders from across the Commonwealth at the 2026 Virginia Builders Summit for a candid discussion about strengthening local women’s groups, creating professional opportunities, and developing the next generation of leaders in Virginia’s home building industry.
The interactive session explored what’s working, where local councils face challenges, and how successful programs can be shared across regions.
Key takeaways
- Move beyond networking. Create opportunities for members to lead projects, develop professional skills, and advance their careers. Meaningful involvement can help members build confidence and prepare for leadership positions.
- Share successful programs. Community construction projects, mentorship initiatives, and hands-on activities offer proven models that other local councils can adapt. Sharing these experiences can help chapters build stronger programs without starting from scratch.
- Support emerging chapters. Newer councils can benefit from the experience of established groups, particularly in governance, programming, recruitment, and member engagement. Collaboration across local associations can strengthen the statewide network.
- Expand industry participation. Encourage more women to pursue opportunities in construction, engineering, purchasing, project management, and other areas where they have historically been underrepresented.
- Develop future leaders. Experienced members can play an important role in identifying, mentoring, and encouraging the next generation of association and industry leaders. Leadership development should be an intentional part of council programming.
The central message: Women’s councils can be more than networking organizations. With purposeful programming, mentorship, and collaboration, they can become pathways to leadership, professional growth, and greater participation throughout Virginia’s home building industry.