The Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has recognized Betsy Sheppard, CEO and president of Gilbert & Sheppard Group in Ellijay, Georgia, as NAHB PWB Woman of the Year for her dedication to promoting the efforts of women in building-related fields who contribute to, and advocate for, the industry.

PWB members work in all aspects of the building industry—as owners, builders, remodelers, architects, suppliers, marketing experts, designers and in finance and real estate.

Sheppard brings a decades-long career in real estate marketing to her leadership of Gilbert & Sheppard, a full service marketing and advertising firm whose primary focus is the residential housing industry. Clients include a number of developers and builders of active adult communities.

A charter member and former board chair of the PWB Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Sheppard led the team that created the brand for that council. She serves on the national PWB board of trustees and has oversight of the council’s membership subcommittee and local PWB councils in the Northeast region of the United States. She serves on the NAHB 55+ Housing Council board of trustees, and she has also chaired the 55+ Housing Council and served on the Sales & Marketing, Green Building and Remodelers councils at her local HBA.

“Betsy has been an instrumental PWB leader and a mentor to many women coming into our industry,” said Judy Dinelle, CAPS, CGP, chair of the NAHB PWB Council and building ambassador of 84 Lumber in Asheville, North Carolina, serving as the company's liaison to home building associations. “She's fully invested in the housing industry, her community and the success of her co-workers, clients and peers.”

In addition to honoring outstanding members, PWB awards scholarships to local councils and students in their communities. For the 2018/2019 award cycle, PWB gave $8,000 in scholarships to high school students across the country through its annual awards and recognition competitions and programs.