Betsy Sheppard, founder and president of Gilbert & Sheppard, a division of Immersion Active, has been sworn in as the National Board Chair for Professional Women in Building (PWB) for 2020-2021.  She assumed her new leadership role at the recent National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) annual International Building Show in Las Vegas, held Jan. 21-23, 2020.  The event is the largest annual light construction show in the world, bringing together more than 1,500 manufacturers and suppliers from across the globe, as well as home building industry experts to lead several days of seminars, presentations and special programs.

Sheppard, who is based in the greater Atlanta area, is a 35-year marketing veteran, who launched Gilbert & Sheppard Group with Kerrie Gilbert to focus on marketing home builders and new home communities, with a special emphasis on the 55+ market and active adult communities.  The company, which merged with Immersion Active last year, specializes in strategic planning, creative development, interactive e-marketing programs, business consulting, public relations and social media.  Clients include large, medium and small home builders, real estate developers, real estate brokers, senior living communities and other companies focused on the housing industry.

Sheppard has long advocated for women in the home building industry.  She is a founding member and past Chair of PBW’s Atlanta chapter and has served as a Regional Trustee and Vice Chair of the national PWB Board of Directors.  The organization honored her in 2019 by naming her Professional Woman of the Year.  NAHB Professional Women in Building represents over 2,000 women in the home building industry nationwide.  Members work in all aspects of the building industry, including serving as business owners, marketing experts, interior designers, mortgage brokers and more.  They participate in over 50 local and state chapters across the U.S.

 In addition to her leadership roles with PWB, Sheppard has served on the Board of Trustees of the NAHB 55+ Industry Housing Council.  She was the 2018 Membership Chair of NAHB’s 55+ Industry Council, and also served the NAHB’s Atlanta Chapter as a Board Trustee and former Council Chair.