Women in Title Leadership Network & Support | Ep 37

Episode Summary

Kimberly Whitlock, Operations Manager at Westcor, discusses founding Women in Title in late 2022 to address the competitive dynamics preventing women from seeking mentorship within the industry. She explains how the organization grew from seven women at a Denver coffee shop to multiple state chapters nationwide, offering monthly meetups, mentorship networks, and local charity initiatives. The conversation covers breaking through the escrow-title career barrier, building confidence through education, leveraging AI and automation tools, and creating safe spaces for professional advancement conversations among women title professionals.

About Kimberly Whitlock

Kimberly Whitlock is Operations Manager for National Title Operations at Westcor with 15-16 years of title industry experience. She founded Women in Title in late 2022 to create mentorship and support networks for women professionals. Starting as a title examiner, she has built expertise in title operations and underwriting counsel relationships. She leads charitable initiatives including partnerships with HomeAid Colorado and organizes volunteer days for International Women’s Day. Whitlock expanded Women in Title from a seven-person Denver coffee meetup to chapters across multiple states nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• Women in Title started because female agents felt intimidated asking male underwriters for advice and viewed other women as competition rather than colleagues who could help them.
• The organization grew from seven women at its first Denver meeting in late 2022 to chapters across Utah, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida with 20+ attendees at some meetups.
• Women often get pushed into escrow positions when applying for title examiner roles, creating career silos with limited advancement opportunities compared to title-focused paths.
• Building confidence for leadership requires both mentorship relationships and deep technical education to feel strong sitting at tables with veteran industry professionals.
• Each Women in Title chapter selects annual local charities supporting women, collecting donations and organizing volunteer days including International Women’s Day initiatives.
• The private LinkedIn community forum provides a safe space for women to discuss career advice, workplace challenges, and difficult situations without judgment.
• Embracing AI and automation tools will separate successful professionals from those left behind, similar to how offshore resources supplemented rather than replaced jobs fifteen years ago.

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