Women Are Helping Shape the Future of Home Building
Gulfstream Homes’ Jeneane Bennett reflects on 28 years in the industry and the growing opportunities for women in residential construction
NAPLES, Fla. — August 25, 2026 — Home building has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but women are increasingly making their mark on how homes are designed, built and delivered to clients.
According to 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women accounted for approximately 14% of construction payroll employment nationwide. Within residential building construction, however, women represented approximately 24% of the workforce—an indication of the important role women are playing in an industry that requires an increasingly diverse combination of construction expertise, design knowledge, communication and client service.
For Jeneane Bennett, co-owner, managing member and director 
of business operations at Naples-based Gulfstream Homes, those disciplines have been intertwined throughout her 28-year career.
“I joined Gulfstream Homes early on with a passion for design and an appreciation for how essential construction knowledge is to thoughtful design,” said Bennett. “I’ve had the unique opportunity to grow alongside the company, learning every aspect of the business and evolving into the role I have today.”
Bennett joined Gulfstream Homes in its early years and today oversees a variety of business operations for the custom home builder. Her role often involves managing the many details clients never see—coordinating moving parts, anticipating potential challenges and helping projects progress smoothly.
Her ability to bridge design and construction knowledge can also have a direct impact on the finished home. On one project, Gulfstream Homes was asked to build from plans created by another firm. Early in the process, Bennett recognized that several elements would not translate successfully from the plans to the finished home.
“Appliance and cabinetry dimensions weren’t realistic, and some spaces lacked the symmetry needed to come together properly,” Bennett said. “Drawing on my design and construction knowledge, I was able to address those issues and redesign several spaces to improve both their functionality and overall aesthetic.”
Building a career in an industry historically dominated by men presented challenges, Bennett said, but it also taught her an important lesson.
“Being knowledgeable, confident and consistent earns respect,” she said.
Bennett believes women can bring a valuable perspective to custom home building, particularly as homeowners increasingly expect the design and construction process to reflect not only how a home looks, but how it will function for the people living there.
“I think women bring a unique combination of attention to detail, strong communication skills, and an understanding of how intentional design and functionality should come together to complement the way people live,” Bennett said.
That philosophy has also influenced the culture at Gulfstream Homes.
“I’ve always believed the client experience matters just as much as the home we build,” Bennett said, “and I’ve made it a priority to ensure that remains a defining part of our culture.”
Building the Next Generation
For Bennett, one of the most meaningful signs of how far her own journey has come can now be found close to home: her daughter, McKenzie, has chosen to build a career in the industry alongside her.
McKenzie’s connection to Gulfstream Homes began while she was still in high school, when she spent her summers interning with the company. After graduating from college, she officially joined the Gulfstream Homes team in 2023.
Bennett counts that experience among her proudest professional accomplishments, along with the reputation Gulfstream Homes has developed and the relationships the company has formed with clients and trade partners over the years.
“To now see my daughter choose the same path, work alongside me, and become part of what we’ve built is something I’m especially proud of,” she said.
For other women considering careers in construction, design or custom home building, Bennett encourages them to build expertise and have confidence in what they bring to the table.
“Absorb as much as you can, ask questions, trust what you know, and be confident in your abilities,” she said. “Continue to build your knowledge and stay adaptable.”
As another generation of women considers careers in residential construction, Bennett hopes her own contribution will ultimately be measured not simply by the homes she helped bring to life, but by the company and culture she helped build along the way.
“I hope my legacy is that I made a meaningful contribution to Gulfstream Homes, helped set a standard we can be proud of, and played a role in shaping its future,” Bennett said.
About Gulfstream Homes
Gulfstream Homes is a Naples-based custom home builder serving Southwest Florida. The company brings together construction expertise, thoughtful design and a client-focused approach to create custom residences tailored to the lifestyles of the people who call them home.
For more information about Gulfstream Homes, visit GulfstreamHomes.com. To learn more about Gulfstream Homes’ design services, visit GulfstreamHomes.com/design. To learn more about Jeneane Bennett and McKenzie Clark, visit GulfstreamHomes.com/team/jeneane-paula-bennett and GulfstreamHomes.com/team/mckenzie-clark/.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Juls Marcus, Gulfstream Homes
239.254.1664
jmarcus@arcs-gh.com
