The Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council at Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) advocates for and supports women in the building industry, creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and professional growth. In 2026, council co-chairs Hayley Mascaro and Julie Janowicz are carrying that mission forward.

“Our vision this year is to strengthen connection, inclusivity, and support within PWB, creating a space where members feel welcomed, empowered, and inspired to grow together,” says Hayley. “This community builds meaningful relationships, shares knowledge, and truly lifts one another up.”

Meet Your Co-Chairs

Hayley is the Marketing Director for Elevate Design | Build, where she connects homeowners with thoughtful, high-quality remodeling services. Julie is the Owner/Operator at Diamond Cut Insurance, where she has been helping contractors navigate their unique insurance needs since 2011.

“I grew up involved in real estate, watching HGTV (and dreaming of being on House Hunters!) and even did a large remodel to my own home, enjoying the process,” Julie says of her start in the industry. “It seemed like a natural fit for me to specialize in building and construction.”

Hayley recalls a similar journey. “I always joke that I’m an ‘HGTV nut.’ I’ve had a fascination with this industry for as long as I can remember; from building codes and policies all the way to the beautiful final product that truly turns a house into a home. I’ve always known I wanted to be part of this space.”

Those initial sparks grew into careers that leave a lasting impact on the people they serve. In her insurance business, Julie has guided clients through difficult claims and processes, while Hayley has seen her marketing work bring awareness to initiatives that support builders, homeowners, and underserved communities. “Thoughtful, intentional marketing can do more than just promote a business; it can amplify a mission, connect the right people, and ultimately make these efforts possible.”

Beyond their work in housing, both women are showing up for the community in other ways. After taking a business law elective class for fun, Hayley discovered a love of law that took her all the way to the Capitol to meet with state legislators. “On my first visit, I advocated for better access to resources for low-income students, sharing my own experience as a first-generation college student coming out of poverty without family support. On my second visit, I presented a proposal for an environmental policy expanding on the plastic bag ban.”   

Julie belongs to a classic car club and spends her free time creating landscape oil paintings. “I take a painting class at various locations on a few Thursdays a month and sometimes I come straight to General Membership Networking after being out in the ‘field’ all day.”

“Opportunities tend to present themselves to those who are ready for them. Believe in yourself enough to take the leap, even if you are afraid, especially if you’re afraid. You won’t see courage until you play the tape back.” — Hayley Mascaro

What’s Next for PWB

Hayley and Julie are eager to expand PWB’s reach in 2026. “We are super excited to grow PWB in King and Snohomish counties!” Julie says. “We would love to have new members, which means new opportunities for connections (and connections of connections!), doing business with new people, and making new friends.”

The Council works to support women on their career journeys by highlighting their outstanding achievements, providing resources and training opportunities, and building coalitions to strengthen the voice of women in the building industry. As leaders, Julie and Hayley understand the importance of their positions. “I have this platform to share ideas, create impact, and help others grow alongside me,” Hayley says, noting how meaningful it is to share the journey with a room full of like-minded people. “It’s something I keep coming back to, and it’s what makes me so excited for the opportunity to continue learning and growing together this year.”

Learn more about PWB and how you can get involved.

The 2026 Washington State legislative session kicks off January 12, and it will be fast, fiscal, and highly consequential for housing. As a 60-day supplemental budget session, lawmakers enter Olympia facing mounting housing affordability pressures, limited time, and a constrained budget.

Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental budget aims to address an estimated $2.3 billion shortfall in the 2025-27 biennium. The proposal relies on spending reductions, tapping the state’s rainy-day reserve, and reallocating existing funds, rather than new taxes in the supplemental.

The shortfall reflects slower revenue growth, driven by weaker real estate activity and employment, alongside rising costs to maintain existing services. As a result, budget negotiations are expected to focus on fiscal prioritization and cost containment, with renewed discussion of potential revenue options. This includes proposals such as a payroll expense tax on large employers, changes to property tax growth limits, and renewed discussion of a high-income or “millionaire” tax as lawmakers weigh options to address the budget gap.

Despite these constraints, housing remains a top priority. Lawmakers broadly agree that we cannot address affordability without building more homes—but debate continues over how to do that.

Given budget realities, the most viable housing policies will be those that speed delivery, reduce risk, and avoid adding new costs. That is exactly where Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is focused.

MBAKS 2026 Legislative Priorities: A Practical Path to More Homes

In 2026, MBAKS is advancing a focused, solutions-oriented agenda aimed at reducing delays, lowering costs, and expanding housing opportunities across Washington. Our priorities reflect what builders experience every day—and what moves the needle on affordability.

Subdivision Reform & Streamlining

Washington’s subdivision laws are outdated and unnecessarily complex. MBAKS supports modernizing subdivision statutes by clarifying pre-application requirements, requiring administrative approval of plats within urban growth areas, and encouraging concurrent review of plats and construction plans. These changes will shorten timelines, reduce risk, free up local staff capacity, and expand infill housing opportunities (HB 1818; SB 5633).

Clear & Objective Development Standards

Subjective regulations create uncertainty, delays, and higher costs. MBAKS supports legislation to ensure local development regulations are clear, objective, and predictable, leading to faster and more reliable permit approvals (SB 5613).

Self-Certification & Review Cycles

Redundant reviews drive up costs without improving outcomes. MBAKS supports allowing licensed professionals to self-certify code compliance and limiting projects to three review cycles when standards are met, preventing endless delays (SB 5729).

Building Code Pause

Constant code changes add cost and uncertainty. MBAKS supports rebalancing the Building Code Council’s membership and pausing frequent code updates to stabilize construction costs and improve affordability.

Rural Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Rural communities also need housing solutions. Streamlining Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) permitting in rural areas can support multigenerational living, expand housing choices, and strengthen rural communities (HB 1010).

Oppose Increases to Fees, Taxes, & Housing Costs

At a time of record affordability challenges, Washington cannot tax or fee its way to more housing. MBAKS will oppose policies that increase housing costs through higher fees or taxes and continue advocating for solutions that make homeownership more attainable.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 session will test whether Washington is serious about addressing housing affordability. With limited time and tight budgets, success will hinge on cutting red tape, restoring predictability, and resisting policies that drive costs higher. MBAKS will remain at the table throughout session, advancing practical reforms that help builders deliver the homes Washington urgently needs.

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Housing data contained in the latest Builders Bulletin show single-family and multifamily permits are down in the three-county Puget Sound region through February 2019, compared to the first two months of 2018. Single-family permits fell 25% and multifamily permits were down 7%. The notable exceptions are multifamily permit activity in Snohomish and Pierce counties, which rose 79% and 25%, respectively. Multifamily permits fell 24% in King County, causing the regionwide total to go negative. Meanwhile, the month’s supply of housing inventory is below two months in both King and Snohomish counties as of March.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report: