MEET MORE OF OUR 2024 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Kathy Raab serves as executive director of the Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA). Under her leadership, the MBA, which represents over 700 companies in the homebuilding and construction trades, has grown into a key advocate for the industry.
Raab works closely with the MBA board of directors to drive political advocacy, community engagement, events and educational resources that support its members and the industry as a whole. Together, they help shape the future of homebuilding by fostering an inclusive environment.
“These women ensure that we’re strong advocates for women in the industry.”
– Kathy Raab
“I love women in construction, because women know how to get things done,” says Susan Keel, an officer of MBA’s board and the business development manager at Advanced Communication Specialists. Susan will ascend to the MBA president position in 2026.
The MBA’s Parade of Homes, an annual event running for almost 80 years, features local builders and home professionals showing the latest in designs, landscaping and home tech.
Next year, the event will be even bigger, according to Eva Fryar, one of the builders participating in the event and division president for Stepping Stone Homes. Eva is also on the leadership ladder for the MBA and will ascend to the presidency in 2027.
Sarajane Trier is a director at large on MBA’s board and Southeastern Wisconsin area manager and senior mortgage loan officer at Bell Bank Mortgage. Trier and Bell Bank Mortgage are instrumental in supporting local high school trades programs to build playhouses for the MBA Home Expo Mini-Parade of Homes.
The playhouses were raffled, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students entering the trades. “It’s not your father’s industry anymore,” says Trier. “In addition to traditional building skills and trades, technology has brought more and more ways for women to grow a career in the industry.”
Q&A
How has being a part of the MBA been beneficial to you?
SK: I would say that this association embodies just the best professionals in this industry, in the metro Milwaukee area, it’s truly where people collaborate and support one another in this industry. It has been instrumental in my business development here at ACS, and for my personal growth and development as well.
EF: It’s pretty powerful when we’re all rolling in the right direction. When you put all of our heads together within the MBA, we’re able to really do some pretty powerful things and be a big voice for an advocate for the home building industry.
SJT: The opportunity to work on some pretty powerful projects, particularly with this group of women. We springboarded the Home Builder Expo and The Play Home Project, and got different schools and the community involved. When we see a need you know, whether that’s a community need, an industry need or a professional need we create solutions. And from my view, this is the only association that I’ve belonged to where that has been consistent.
KR: These women and other women in leadership are instrumental in making sure that all voices are heard and we have inclusive input into the strategic direction. They’re innovative. They ensure that we’re strong advocates for women in the industry. They’re all just so committed to community engagement, to inclusiveness and to just excellence all around. These three women are just key players for us.”
