Scottsdale – October 13, 2026 -- Taylor Morrison Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Stephanie McCarty has been named the inaugural CMO of the Year by BUILDER and Zonda, selected from four finalists for an award recognizing marketing's growing influence on homebuilding.
McCarty built an in-house marketing team from scratch
McCarty joined Taylor Morrison in 2015 as vice president of corporate communications and later became the company's first chief marketing officer. She built a centralized, in-house marketing team, bringing creative talent closer to the business and its customers.
Liquid Death sweepstakes and brand platform anchor the campaign record
Taylor Morrison ran a "Killer House" sweepstakes with Liquid Death, an unconventional brand pairing for the sector. Its "Homes Built for Real Life" platform centers on everyday homeownership moments.
McCarty's team has also pushed digital tools that let home shoppers explore, personalize and reserve a home online.
Zonda will honor McCarty at its Accelerate Summit in Park City
McCarty will be recognized at Zonda's Accelerate Summit in Park City, Utah, and featured in the fourth-quarter print edition of BUILDER.
Zonda President Jeff Meyers said McCarty has connected "brand, customer experience, and business performance." Taylor Morrison CEO Sheryl Palmer said brand matters in an industry where many still say it does not.
The award follows McCarty's inclusion on Forbes' 2025 Entrepreneurial CMO 50 list and Business Insider's 2024 list of the most innovative CMOs.