Local council creates space for women to lead in construction
Debbie Odom, left, and Ashley Kepley-Steward are expanding opportunities for local women in construction.
Photo by Rachel Pressley
As Director of Operations for Alair Asheville | Red Tree, Ashley Kepley-Steward oversees residential builds from foundation to finish. Yet when subcontractors arrive at a job site, they sometimes glance past her, searching for the man whom they assume is leading the build.
“It’s a heavily male-dominated field, and you’ve definitely got to prove yourself as a woman,” she says. “Not knowing where you’re going to fit in, who’s going to take you seriously, or who’s there to support you can be tough.”
Her experience reflects a broader reality. When Kepley-Steward entered construction nearly a decade ago, women comprised less than nine percent of the workforce. Today, that number hovers just under 11 percent — a modest increase, but one that underscores how far the industry still has to go, particularly in leadership roles and skilled trades.
To expand opportunities for women locally, the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains established a local chapter of the National Association of Home Builders’ Professional Women in Building Council last year. Today, the council includes nearly 80 members working across the residential building industry, from plumbers and electricians to designers and marketing professionals. Some have decades of experience; others are just beginning their careers. But all understand what it means to work in a field where women are outnumbered.
It’s a reality Debbie Odom, project manager at Deltec Homes, understands firsthand. After years in retail and food service, she returned to school to study green building, eventually landing what she calls her “dream job” at the women-owned, women-managed company.
“In the beginning, it was difficult,” Odom says. “I noticed that when I would talk with older builders, for instance, they would direct their questions to the male designer on the call instead of me.”
Stories like these often surface in council meetings. Around the table, members trade job-site anecdotes, swap contacts, and share practical advice. Just as importantly, they extend reassurance.
“When you can look around and see other women who’ve faced the same challenges — who can say, ‘Hey, I’ve dealt with that too’ — it changes how you show up,” says Kepley-Steward.
Beyond conversation, the council is looking ahead. Workforce development has become a pressing priority across Western North Carolina as seasoned tradespeople retire. In response, members are exploring scholarship opportunities to help offset the cost of trade education, from certification fees to tools and tuition. The hope is simple: remove barriers and widen the door for young women.
“One of the biggest problems we have right now in construction is that the skilled trades are aging out,” says Odom. “We’re trying to figure out how to get the younger generation into the trades.”
Visibility is part of the answer. Council leaders have begun connecting with local students, facilitating job shadowing and internships, and volunteering with Transformation Village, an emergency housing program serving women and mothers rebuilding their lives. By showing up in the community, they hope to make the industry feel more accessible.
“Representation matters,” says Kepley-Steward. “Just knowing you belong is powerful.”
To learn more about the Professional Women in Building Council, visit bablueridge.com.