Professional Women in Building’s Mentorship Program a Huge Success!
The Association’s Professional Women in Building Council wraps up its inaugural five-month mentoring program this month with ceremonies recognizing the eight Dallas BA member mentors and their mentees.
The program fosters professional growth and development within the building industry by pairing experienced mentors with mentees. It facilitates knowledge sharing, skill enhancement and career advancement through structured guidance and support.
PWB has announced that it will expand the program in 2026 by offering a second five-month semester that will align with the Collin College program schedule.
The spring semester will get underway in January and wrap up in April.
“Each student will get a $500 scholarship for completing the semester,” PWB Chair Teresa Williams, CGA, of KJ Custom Screens and Outdoor Living stated. “In the past we were awarding scholarships to Collin College students not knowing who they were or what they were majoring in. Awarding the scholarships to women in the program gives us a better idea who the money goes to, and the builders that donate can see who they are giving money to.”
The mission of the mentorship program is to empower and elevate members of the Professional Women in Building and Collin County Technical College through guidance, support and shared expertise. It strives to foster a culture of continuous learning, professional growth and collaboration by pairing experienced industry professionals with emerging talent.
“Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of skilled builders and associates, enhance industry standards and contribute to the sustainable development of our communities,” explains Williams.
“Through dedicated mentorship, we aim to inspire innovation, uphold integrity and build a strong foundation for the future of the building industry.”
Members of the Dallas BA who are interested in participating in the program as a mentor are urged to contact Teresa Williams via the Association at info@dallasbuilders.com.
Meet the Dynamic Duos Who Made the Inaugural Program a Success!
Mentor Emilie Thalacker is a commercial insurance broker at USI, specializing in construction-focused risk management. She previously spent four years at Pella, selling directly to builders and contractors, gaining extensive experience in the construction industry. Emilie serves as vice chair of the Young Professionals board at the Dallas Builders Association and holds a business degree from the University of Northern Iowa.
Mentee Rawan Akram is a project engineer at The Beck Group with experience in both residential and commercial construction. She is pursuing a degree in construction management and holds certifications in Adult CPR, OSHA 30, Bluebeam and CMIT. Rawan is passionate about all aspects of construction and enjoys working on projects across residential and commercial sectors.
Mentor Lindsay Leggett works for FACETS of Dallas and enjoys her role of connecting builders, architects and designers. With 20 years of experience in the builder and design Industry, she understands and is passionate about making sure that FACETS clientele have clear communication, exceptional customer service, send updates on Vendor product and trends, as well as someone in their corner that will make sure they are taken care of on their project. She loves getting to know the team at each firm and learn about their projects. When she’s not working, she enjoys time with friends and family, cooking with her husband on a Nomad Grill, renovating her bungalow, planning parties and hang time with Penny and Chom Chom at the dog park.
Mentee Anahi Narvaez is a project engineer intern at CORE Construction. She has a 4.0 GPA in Collin College’s
Construction Management program. She has hands-on experience supporting construction projects through task management, reviewing RFIs and submittals, conducting site walks and communicating with subcontractors and project teams. She also helps run my family’s granite and quartz countertop business, where she assists with client coordination, scheduling and project support. Anahi holds certifications in OSHA 30, CPR, First Aid and AED. Her professional interest is commercial project management.
Mentor Allie Perkins is the director of operations at Tim Jackson Custom Homes, where she works closely with homeowners from concept to completion, bringing unique visions to life and ensuring each home is one-of-a-kind and built to the highest standards. Before entering the construction industry, Allie spent over six years in the events industry as a four-time award-winning creative event designer. Outside of work, she is a passionate traveler, CrossFitter, J.R.R. Tolkien fan and supporter of the arts.
Mentee Serenity Montelongo is a construction manager with expertise in both residential and commercial projects. She earned her residential and commercial construction manager certificate in 2024 and recently placed third in the ASC Region 5 Concrete Solutions competition in 2025. Serenity holds a bachelor of science degree in construction management and is passionate about applying her skills and knowledge to excel in residential and commercial construction projects.
Mentor Vickie Wattanapongwat is the vice president and co-founder of Preserve Custom Homes. She holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a financial accounting certificate from NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies, as well as an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art and Design. Having held roles as CEO, project manager and head of interior design, Vickie brings meticulous attention to detail and a talent for creating unique, client-focused designs that transform architectural drawings into beautifully finished custom homes. Passionate about excellence in project management, she excels at building strong relationships with owners, architects and engineers, consistently raising standards in financial, time and project oversight. Vickie currently serves on the Dallas BA Board of Directors, combining her innovative vision, superior style and client-centered approach to deliver exceptional results.
Mentee Joi Caldwell is a dual-de
gree student pursuing construction management and electrical technology, driven by a passion for building and design. She aims to become a skilled home developer, combining technical expertise with creative vision. Committed to mastering every aspect of construction, Joi focuses on delivering quality and innovation in all her future projects.
Mentor Xanica Skuza is the director of Sales & Marketing for J&S Mechanical, a plumbing and HVAC company serving the DFW and Waco areas. With over a decade of B2B sales success in the homebuilding industry and a background in finance, she has built a career on driving growth and fostering strong relationships. As co-founder and co-host of The BuildHERS Club podcast, Xanica empowers women in construction through authentic conversations, mentorship and connection. She also serves as vice chair of the the Professional Women in Building Council with the Dallas BA. A proud wife and mom to Bryn and Davis, Xanica is a University of Texas at Arlington graduate who brings energy, optimism and heart to everything she does.
Mentee Jessie Wilson is a construction management student currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in after earning an A.A.S. in the same field from Collin College. She works as an assistant project coordinator at G2 General Contractors, where she supports projects by reviewing plans, coordinating subcontractors and assisting with site inspections. Jessie is OSHA 10 certified and passionate about commercial construction and project management, with a particular interest in developing and managing storage facility projects. She is dedicated to gaining hands-on experience and building a successful career in the construction industry.
Mentor Carrie Callaway is the founder of Blair Built Homes, a Dallas-based luxury home builder committed to craftsmanship, integrity and elevated living with a focus on both function and beauty. Her passion for homebuilding began over 20 years ago in the purchasing department of a production builder and has grown through decades of hands-on experience in the industry. Under Carrie’s leadership, Blair Built Homes operates as a collaborative team that values quality, communication and partnership. She believes the best homes are built by great people working together—and through that philosophy, the company is not only creating exceptional homes, but also building a thriving business and a community of happy homeowners.
Mentee Riley Guidotti-Vrana currently serves as an accounting and operations manager, bringing hands-on experience in materials procurement, inventory management and job site coordination. In this role, she manages daily invoicing, expenses and payroll through QuickBooks, reconciles accounts payable and receivable and supports project operations by preparing sales quotes and job-specific materials lists. Her responsibilities also include delivering materials directly to job sites, ensuring smooth and timely execution of each project phase. She is currently a sophomore at Collin College, pursuing a B.S. degree in construction management. In addition to her academic progress, she holds a Residential/Commercial Construction Management Certification and an Occupational Skills Award. Passionate about building environments that serve communities, she is particularly interested in working on K–12 educational facility projects.
Mentor Misty Varsalone currently leads operations at Classic Urban Homes and Turner2 Renovations. Prior to this role, she spent 16 years as the director of meetings and events at the Dallas Builders Association, where she played a key role in event planning and industry engagement. Misty has been awarded for the role she played in bringing the Dallas BA’s Parade of Homes™ back after many years of inactivity and for development of the Rebuilding #Better Together campaign following catastrophic flooding to the Association. She holds a B.A. in biological sciences with a minor in historical studies from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Mentee Angela R. Horton works as an access services representative II at Baylor Scott & White Health while pursuing a a degree in construction management at Collin College’s Technical Campus. She holds an associate of applied science degree in process technology from College of the Mainland in Texas City. Angela holds certifications for OSHA’s 30-Hour Construction Safety Program. She was a member of the 2025 NAHB Student Chapter Competition Team in estimating and design. She is an Air Force veteran and lifelong learner who brings over a decade of experience in leadership, operations and client service to her growing career in construction management. Angela is known for her attention to detail, problem-solving skills and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments and recently was recognized as a patient ambassador by Baylor leaders. Her career interests include residential construction, outdoor living design and project coordination—fields that combine her technical knowledge with her passion for creating functional, inspiring spaces. “I’m passionate about building spaces that bring people together and tell a story,” she says. “Construction is where creativity meets purpose.”
Mentee Yadira Flores is a construction management student at Collin College, set to graduate in 2028 with her bachelor’s degree. Currently working two jobs in sales and food service, she has developed strong multitasking, communication and critical thinking skills. Yadira’s interest in construction began at age 14 while helping with invoicing and scheduling in her father’s business—a foundation that inspired her career path. She is passionate about commercial construction and plans to transition into civil engineering in the future.
Mentor Lauren Voigt is the director of the DFW Pella Certified Contractor Program. With one-and-a-half years with Pella, and an additional four years of sales/upper management, Lauren is a creative and organized leader specializing in team management, corporate training and sales. She is skilled at reaching company goals with attention to detail and impactful initiatives. Lauren specializes in luxury remodeling, with an interest in architectural design.
Mentee Kimberly Cumberbatch is an experienced project support professional with a solid background in project coordination, compliance analysis and logistics management. She brings strong expertise in managing documentation, vendor relationships and project timelines, utilizing platforms such as Oracle, Smartsheet and Procore. Kimberly holds certifications in both Procore and Smartsheet, and she is currently pursuing a degree in construction management at Collin College. Her professional interests focus on civil, industrial and commercial construction projects, where she is passionate about contributing to efficient and successful project outcomes.
TOP PHOTO: Cadence McShane Construction Company recently hosted PWB mentors on a commercial field trip to get an inside look at the major remodel of Plano East Senior High School, a 44-year-old campus undergoing an incredible transformation.