Zonda and BUILDER recognize Taylor Morrison’s CMO for transforming marketing in homebuilding

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — America’s Most Trusted® Home Builder Taylor Morrison today announced Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Stephanie McCarty has been named the inaugural CMO of the Year by BUILDER and Zonda, recognizing her work to build a brand that stands out in homebuilding.

McCarty joined Taylor Morrison in 2015 as vice president of corporate communications and went on to become its first chief marketing officer. She built a centralized, in-house marketing team from the ground up, bringing the company’s creative talent closer to the business and the people it serves.

“In an industry where many still say brand doesn’t matter, Stephanie proves them wrong again and again,” said Taylor Morrison Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Palmer. “Her boundless ingenuity and leadership have risen Taylor Morrison to new heights among consumers, in the press, and even on the big screen. I could not be prouder to see Stephanie receive this inaugural honor.”

That ambition is visible in work that takes Taylor Morrison beyond familiar homebuilding advertising. Its “Killer House” sweepstakes with Liquid Death brought an unexpected brand pairing to consumers, while its “Homes Built for Real Life” brand platform celebrates the messy, familiar moments of everyday homeownership. Each gives people a way to connect with Taylor Morrison beyond a floor plan.

McCarty and her team have also championed digital tools that give home shoppers greater flexibility, including the ability to explore, personalize and reserve a home online. That work extends the brand’s focus on the customer into the shopping experience, helping buyers take the next step on their own terms.

“Homebuilding gives us something pretty extraordinary to work with: the place where people live out their lives,” McCarty said. “That deserves marketing with real imagination. I’m grateful to BUILDER and Zonda for shining a light on the work we’re doing and on the opportunity for marketers across this industry to keep moving brand forward.”

Selected from four finalists, McCarty is the first honoree of this award recognizing marketing’s growing influence on the homebuilding business. She will be recognized at Zonda’s Accelerate Summit in Park City, Utah, and featured in the fourth-quarter print edition of BUILDER.

“Stephanie has transformed marketing into a powerful driver of growth and customer engagement while helping build the Taylor Morrison brand into one of the most respected and recognizable names in homebuilding,” said Zonda President Jeff Meyers. “Her ability to connect brand, customer experience, and business performance has set a standard for marketing excellence across our industry.”

The recognition follows McCarty’s inclusion on Forbes’ 2025 Entrepreneurial CMO 50 list and Business Insider’s 2024 list of the most innovative CMOs.

About Taylor Morrison
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation’s leading community developers and homebuilders. It serves entry-level, move-up, and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under its family of brands—including Taylor Morrison, Esplanade, and Yardly. Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America’s Most Trusted® Builder by Lifestory Research since 2016, was honored as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2026, and on Forbes’ Most Trusted and Best Companies in America lists in 2025.

For more information about Taylor Morrison, please visit www.taylormorrison.com. 

About Zonda
Zonda is the trusted source of homebuilding data, insights, and marketplaces that help housing professionals make smarter decisions, connect with homebuyers, and sell homes more effectively. We help builders, developers, building product manufacturers, mortgage lenders, and other housing professionals navigate every stage of the homebuilding lifecycle. Our mission is to advance the homebuilding industry because we believe better homes mean better lives and stronger communities. Together, we are building the future of housing. Learn more at zondahome.com.

About BUILDER
BUILDER is the No. 1 resource—via its award-winning journalism and industry events—for anyone involved in new-home construction. Primarily focused on the single-family sector, BUILDER strives to help home builders manage their operations, large and small, more efficiently and profitably. Residential construction pros turn to BUILDER for housing-related news, market analysis, design trends, M&A deals, building product coverage, and more.

CONTACT:
Media@taylormorrison.com

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SOURCE Taylor Morrison