I hope to leave a legacy of building strong foundations, creating ladders of opportunity, and inspiring future leaders to leave our industry and communities better than they found them.
Cheryl Lee, CGP, CGB · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Cheryl
Cheryl Lee is more than an architect, builder, entrepreneur, she is a nationally recognized industry leader whose influence extends well beyond the homes she designs. As President and CEO of CL Design-Build, Inc., the residential design-build firm she founded in 2000, she has spent nearly four decades shaping not only exceptional custom homes, but also the future of the residential construction industry through leadership, mentorship, and advocacy.
After studying Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin, Lee built a career that spans architecture, civil engineering, land development, construction management, and custom home building. This unique combination of design and construction expertise has become the foundation of CL Design-Build's collaborative approach, allowing clients to benefit from a seamless process that transforms ideas into thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted homes.
Beyond her work with clients, Lee has become a respected voice for the home building industry at the local, state, and national levels. She serves on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Professional Women in Building Board of Trustees and the NAHB Leadership Council, helping shape initiatives that strengthen the building industry, expand housing opportunities, and develop future leaders. She previously served as President of the Northern Illinois Home Builders Association (NIHBA) and currently serves as its Immediate Past President, where her leadership has focused on strategic planning, workforce development, housing advocacy, and membership growth. She is also a founding member of the NIHBA's Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) and currently serves as its Chair, creating opportunities for women to connect, lead, grow professionally, and advance within the residential construction industry.
Lee was instrumental in bringing the 2026 NAHB Area 9 Leadership Conference to Illinois, working alongside NAHB and state and local home builder associations to develop a conference dedicated to cultivating the next generation of association and industry leaders. The conference brings together volunteer leaders from Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan to strengthen leadership skills, share best practices, and build stronger home builder associations that will serve their communities for years to come.
A passionate advocate for education and workforce development, Lee believes the future of construction depends on investing in the next generation. She serves as a judge for the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) at the National SkillsUSA Architectural Drafting Competition, evaluating the work of the nation's top emerging design students. Through mentoring, internships at CL Design-Build, educational outreach, leadership development, and industry engagement, she is committed to inspiring and preparing the next generation of architects, designers, and construction professionals.
For several years, Lee has represented the NAHB on Capitol Hill, advocating for workforce development, housing affordability, and policies that increase housing supply and expand opportunities for homeownership. Through this work she has helped communicate the challenges facing builders and homebuyers while advancing practical solutions that strengthen the residential construction industry and the communities it serves.
Lee's commitment to serving others extends into her community. As General Contractor for Habitat for Humanity's Women Build project in the innovative Green Freedom neighborhood of Aurora, she helps demonstrate how collaboration, sustainability, and affordable housing can improve lives while showcasing the future of energy-efficient residential construction.
Her professional achievements have earned numerous honors, including being named the NIHBA Builder of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. She holds the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is currently pursuing the Certified Master Building Professional (CMBP) designation and is a member of the American Institute of Building Design.
Whether leading a national committee, mentoring emerging professionals, advocating for housing policy, or guiding clients through the design of their dream home, Lee is driven by a simple philosophy: success is measured not only by the projects we build, but by the people we inspire, the leaders we develop, and the opportunities we create for those who follow.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cheryl
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through my profession. While I have been privileged to design and build beautiful homes throughout my career, I am equally proud of helping strengthen the residential construction industry by mentoring future professionals, developing leaders, advocating for housing and workforce initiatives, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. Whether through industry leadership, internships, or community involvement, including Habitat for Humanity, my goal has always been to leave the construction industry and the communities I serve better than I found them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was, "Surround yourself with people who know more than you do, and never stop learning from them." That advice has guided me throughout my career. Some of my greatest lessons have come from mentors, colleagues, trade partners, clients, and even those just beginning their careers. I've learned that the best leaders don't have all the answers. They ask questions, listen carefully, welcome different perspectives, and are willing to continue learning. That mindset has helped me grow as an architect, builder, business owner, and industry leader, and it continues to shape how I mentor others today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the construction industry is to believe in your abilities, remain curious, and never stop learning. Build your knowledge, ask questions, seek out mentors, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from saying "yes" to challenges that seemed intimidating at the time. Confidence comes from preparation, experience, and a willingness to keep learning. Build relationships, earn trust through integrity and hard work, support other women along the way, and never underestimate the impact you can have on your profession and your community. Most importantly, remember that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening, learning, helping others succeed, and leaving every project, organization, and community better than you found it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges facing our industry is changing the way we think about career and educational pathways. In the United States, we've created the perception that success requires a traditional two- or four-year college degree, when in reality there are many rewarding careers that begin through vocational education, apprenticeships, certifications, internships, and on-the-job training. While higher education is an excellent path for many, it is not the only path to a successful and fulfilling career.
Expanding awareness of these opportunities is essential to addressing our workforce shortage, increasing housing supply, and improving housing affordability. The future of construction depends not only on building more homes, but also on building the workforce and cultivating the leaders who will shape our industry's future
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, transparency, integrity, and a commitment to solving problems. I believe in communicating openly, building trust through honesty, and approaching every challenge with a collaborative mindset. Whether I'm working with clients, mentoring future professionals, leading an organization, or volunteering in my community, I strive to listen carefully, understand different perspectives, and help others find meaningful solutions. I also believe we have a responsibility to give back by sharing our knowledge, creating opportunities for others, and leaving our profession and our communities stronger than we found them.
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