As BIAW Imm. Past Second Vice President Luellen Smith steps up to chair the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Council at the International Builders Show in February, she’s spearheading an effort to establish a state Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council in Washington as well.Washington currently has three PWB Councils in the state. A group of women at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) formed the state’s first PWB Council in 2005, Olympia Master Builders launched its council just before the pandemic, and the Building Industry Association of Clark County chartered its council in 2023.Members of all three councils, as well as others interested in establishing a BIAW PWB Council, met at the BIAW Winter Board Meeting in Tacoma for the inaugural PWB introduction meeting.Laying the groundworkAt the introductory meeting, members discussed plans for establishing a future BIAW PWB Council, including introducing bylaw changes in late 2024 or early 2025.“I am excited to contribute to the growth and impact of PWB within BIAW by formally establishing a state council,” Smith said. “Having formal meetings at BIAW’s board meetings will allow us to share resources, encourage leadership development, and strengthen the framework for our local HBA PWB councils to thrive.”