The Professional Women in Building Council of the National Association of Home Builders has recognized Karen Schroeder, executive vice president and partner of Mayberry Homes in East Lansing, Mich., as NAHB PWB Woman of the Year for her dedication to promoting the efforts of women in building-related fields who contribute and advocate for the industry.

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

Fired up after sitting in on Professional Women in Building Council sessions at a national assocation board meeting, Schroeder returned to her the Home Builders Association of Greater Lansing ready to start a Professional Women in Building Council there. From the beginning, the council attracted numerous enthusiastic members, many of them newly involved with the association.

"Karen's enthusiasm for PWB and to see women succeed in the industry was evident from the first time I met her," said Juli Bacon, chair of the NAHB PWB Council and owner of JB Consulting Systems LLC and Bacon Maintenance Services LLC in Woodinville, Wash. "Her passion is contagious. She's been a wonderful addition to the NAHB PWB leadership team."

"Karen has worked to get another PWB council started and is looking to get at least two more councils going," said Ann M. Garvey, vice chair of HBA of Greater Lansing. "Karen is such a positive person, and her spirit is contagious. She inspires success in others and gets the job done."

Schroeder is a director for the statewide HBA and has served her local HBA as vice chair of the Sales & Marketing Council and as a member of the 55+ Committee. She is 2018 vice chair of the NAHB 55+ Housing Council and Regional Trustee for NAHB PWB. She has worked on many charitable projects, including raffling two homes to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She and her husband, Bob Schroeder, are 2013 inductees to the Michigan Construction Hall of Fame.

"Karen is all about rolling up her sleeves and getting things done," said Robert L. Filka, CEO of the HBA of Michigan.

"She is not only recognized as a leader in our PWB council but also in the HBA and the community," said Cindy Kosloski, executive director of the HBA of Greater Lansing. "We feel honored to have her as part of our organization."

In addition to honoring outstanding members, PWB awards scholarships to local councils and students in their communities. For the 2017-2018 award cycle, PWB gave $15,000 in scholarships to high school students across the country through its annual awards and recognition competitions and programs.