Feature Spotlight #84 - Brandi Gill

Courage, Connections, and the Power of Showing Up

Some people find their niche early. Others discover it through unexpected twists and turns. For Brandi Gill, a 17-year journey through mortgage lending, title, technology, and fiduciary banking has been fueled by one constant: relationships.

Based in Paradise Valley, Arizona, Brandi serves as Vice President of Fiduciary Banking at Capital Bank, where she combines decades of industry experience with a passion for helping clients succeed. While banking may be her title today, her true expertise lies in building trust, creating connections, and helping businesses grow through meaningful partnerships.

“I'm passionate about creating real impact in the mortgage and fiduciary banking space,” Brandi shares. “For me, it has never been about simply selling products. It’s about helping people solve problems, protect their businesses, and succeed.”

Falling in Love with a Different Side of the Industry

Brandi’s career began on the mortgage side of the business, where she spent years immersed in lending before the Great Financial Crisis changed everything. Like many industry professionals, she found herself adapting to a rapidly changing landscape. After spending a short time outside the industry with Cisco Systems, she realized something important. “This industry was where my passion truly lived,” she says.

That realization led her to work alongside industry leader Cheri Kluft at LSI, now Atlas Title, where she discovered an entirely new side of the business. “It allowed me to maintain the relationships I had built throughout my career while serving clients in a whole new way,” Brandi explains.

What she found was a perfect blend of relationship-building, industry expertise, and service.

And she’s been building on that foundation ever since.

The Mentor Who Shaped Her Leadership

When Brandi reflects on the women who influenced her career, one name rises immediately to the top - Cheri Kluft. “Cheri taught me how to truly manage relationships while representing my company in a way that was meaningful to both my customers and the firm,” Brandi says.

More than anything, Cheri demonstrated the value of trust, long-term partnerships, and delivering genuine value beyond the transaction. Those lessons continue to shape Brandi’s approach to leadership and client relationships today.

Earning a Seat at the Table

Throughout her career, Brandi has witnessed the evolution of women’s roles in mortgage, title, and banking. “Women have historically been underrepresented in this industry,” she says. Rather than allowing that reality to limit her, Brandi learned how to confidently earn a seat at the table.

Through perseverance, experience, and relationship-building, she developed the ability to communicate with confidence and clarity while ensuring her voice was heard and respected.

It’s a lesson she now shares with the next generation.

The Strength of Her Village

Brandi is quick to acknowledge that no successful career is built alone.

Professionally, she credits the incredible support of her team, including Angela Saiz, Tony Carroll, and her leader, Patrick Van Der Ham. “There's a culture of teamwork, trust, and mutual respect that makes us successful every day.”

Personally, she credits her husband for being the steady force that makes her demanding travel schedule possible. “He truly holds down the fort,” she says. “Having that kind of support has been invaluable to my career.”

Never Burn a Bridge

Ask Brandi for career advice, and she delivers it without hesitation. “Never burn a bridge.”

She believes the mortgage and title industry is one of the smallest big industries you’ll ever encounter. “You never know who you’ll work with again, where opportunities will come from, or which relationships will shape your future.”

For Brandi, professionalism, reputation, and treating people with respect are long-term investments that always pay dividends.

Her Why: Relationships and Trust

Brandi’s motivation has never been rooted in transactions. Her “why” is people.

“My why is rooted in relationships, trust, and helping businesses succeed,” she says.

Whether she’s helping clients navigate challenges, protecting their interests, or connecting them with solutions, she sees her role as far more than banking. “I want to be a trusted advisor.”

That mindset has helped her build a career centered on creating real value for clients and partners alike.

The Word That Guides Her

Since the Great Financial Crisis, one word has served as Brandi’s personal compass:

Courage. “With courage, what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”

It’s a philosophy that has carried her through industry shifts, leadership roles, and countless challenges over nearly two decades.

When she speaks about courage, it isn’t theoretical. It’s something she lives daily.

Meet Arizona’s Biggest Bruce Springsteen Fan

Outside of work, Brandi has a passion that many colleagues may not fully appreciate.

She’s a devoted Bruce Springsteen fan.

And not just casually.

Brandi has attended more than 65 Bruce Springsteen concerts across seven countries.

“My love for The Boss is real,” she laughs.

Her very first concert, however, belonged to another icon of the 1980s: Rick Springfield.

Building a Legacy Through Knowledge

When Brandi thinks about legacy, she thinks about the future of the industry. She hopes to help usher in the next generation while passing along the relationships, experience, and knowledge that helped shape her own career.

She also believes there is tremendous opportunity for the industry to improve through greater education and transparency for consumers. “Most borrowers have very little understanding of what they’re actually purchasing or the process they’re navigating,” she says.

She also hopes to see stronger collaboration across the industry.

“Some of the best ideas, partnerships, and opportunities come from simply getting to know people.”

For Brandi, stronger networks create stronger businesses and stronger communities.

A Career Achievement Worth Celebrating

One accomplishment Brandi is especially proud of was leading sales for a retail origination center with nearly 400 loan officers. “It was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my career.”

While the experience brought its share of challenges, it also taught her invaluable lessons about leadership, growth, and collaboration. Most importantly, it helped create a powerful relationship between Sales and Operations, a partnership that became a model for success and shaped the leader she is today.

“It was trial by fire,” she says. “But it built the foundation for everything that came after.”

A Final Message to the Women of Her.

Brandi’s encouragement to women in title is both simple and powerful:

“Never underestimate your impact on this industry.”

She believes women should support one another, build genuine relationships, and never be afraid to take up space. “This business can be challenging,” she says. “But it’s also filled with incredible opportunities for women who lead with integrity, resilience, and authenticity.”

And perhaps her favorite reminder of all: Work hard. Build your network. Celebrate the wins. Learn from the losses. And don’t forget to have fun along the way. Because. . .

people remember your energy just as much as your success.

Thank you, Brandi, for sharing your wisdom, courage, and passion with the Her.Collective community. We are honored to celebrate your journey as a remarkable Woman of Title.

*Connect with Brandi here: BGill@capitalbankmd.com I LinkedIn 

Feature Spotlight #83 - Emily Rooney

Leading with Grace, Integrity & the Courage to Keep Growing.

Some women lead loudly. Others lead by example, consistency, and quiet confidence that makes everyone around them stronger. Emily K. Rooney is the kind of leader who does both. She brings strength without ego, wisdom without arrogance, and a heart for people that is impossible to miss.

Based in Kettering, Ohio, Emily has served as Chief Operating Officer of Sterling Land Title Agency, Inc., for over two years; but that’s not the beginning. Her title journey spans decades from her start in 2000.  She has built not only an impressive career, but also a reputation for integrity, resilience, and leadership that genuinely lifts others up.

Built in Title, Built for Leadership.

Emily’s title story started long before she officially entered the industry. As a teenager, she spent summers running errands, making bank runs, and watching the inner workings of her father’s title company unfold around her. At the time, she never imagined title would eventually become her life’s work.

But over time, something clicked. “I realized title was where my strengths and passions aligned.”

What began as exposure to the business evolved into a genuine passion for solving problems, improving processes, supporting teams, and helping clients through some of the most important transactions of their lives.

Today, as COO, Emily focuses on operations, technology implementation, team development, and process improvement. But at the center of it all is something much deeper than systems and workflows: People.

She is passionate about building environments where team members feel supported, respected, and valued while creating systems that reduce stress and improve efficiency for everyone involved.

The Foundation That Shaped Her.

When Emily reflects on the people who shaped her most, she speaks with deep gratitude about the women who encouraged and supported her throughout her career. Yet the person who influenced her journey most profoundly was her father. “He taught me hard work, humility, integrity, and earning respect through dedication and perseverance.”

Emily credits him not only for teaching her the business, but for showing her how leadership should look. He believed strongly in empowering women and surrounded her with talented female professionals who helped guide her growth along the way. Those lessons became the foundation of who she is today both personally and professionally.

Finding Confidence Through Challenge.

Like many women in leadership, Emily has faced moments where others underestimated her knowledge, experience, or perspective. Early in her career, those experiences could feel discouraging.

Over time, however, she learned something powerful.

Confidence does not come from external validation. It comes from trusting your voice, continuing to grow, and allowing your work to speak for itself.

“Your worth is not determined by the opinions of others.”

 That mindset has become one of the driving forces behind her leadership style today. Calm. Grounded. Professional. Unshakably authentic.

A Career Fueled by Curiosity.

One of the things Emily loves most about title is that there is always something new to learn.

More than two decades into her career, she still approaches the industry with humility and curiosity. Her advice to the next generation reflects exactly that. “You will learn something new in this business every single day, no matter how long you’ve been in it.”

She encourages young women entering title to trust their instincts, ask questions, stay open to growth, and never underestimate the value of their perspective. Every lesson matters because chances are, one day, you will need it again.

Her Why Runs Deep.

At the center of everything Emily does is something far more meaningful than titles or accomplishments. Her “why” is rooted in the people she loves most and the values that continue to guide her through every season of life and leadership.

Her faith has been a constant source of strength, helping her stay grounded during challenges and reminding her that leadership is just as much about how you treat people as it is about results. Alongside that faith stands the unwavering support of her family, friends, mentors, and colleagues, all of whom continue to encourage and shape her journey.

Emily works hard not because she is chasing recognition, but because she wants to make the people who believe in her proud. That purpose fuels her through long days, difficult moments, and the balancing act so many women in leadership understand all too well.

Some of her greatest perspective, however, comes from home. During stressful seasons at work, her children would lovingly remind her: “Mom, the people at work might be mean, but you’re not at work anymore.”

Simple. Honest. Wise.

Their words became a powerful reminder to leave the stress of the day behind, stay present with the people she loves, and remember what matters most. It perfectly reflects who Emily is at her core: ambitious and driven, yet deeply grounded in faith, family, and grace.

Leading with Empathy Instead of Ego.

Emily believes leadership is not about reacting quickly or proving yourself in every room. Some of the most important lessons she has learned came from navigating difficult personalities with empathy and restraint.

“Not every challenge requires an immediate reaction.”

Instead, she chooses to listen first, stay calm, and remember that people are often carrying burdens we cannot see. Her perspective is refreshing in an industry that can sometimes feel fast paced and high pressure.

She also passionately believes women should support one another rather than compete.

“Helping someone else succeed does not diminish our own success.” That philosophy radiates through the way she leads her teams and mentors others.

Grace, Grit & Starting Over.

Emily speaks openly about the personal struggles she faced during her teenage years after her parents separated. Those difficult seasons taught her accountability, empathy, and resilience. They also shaped the compassion she extends to others today. “Our past does not define us unless we allow it to.”

Through faith, perseverance, and hard work, she transformed challenge into growth and became stronger because of it. Her story is a reminder that discipline is not about perfection. It is about getting back up again and continuing to move forward.

The Village Behind the Woman.

Behind Emily’s success is a strong village of family, mentors, friends, and colleagues who continue to encourage and support her growth.

Her husband helps keep her grounded during overwhelming seasons. Her children provide perspective and joy. Mentors and colleagues have challenged her to grow and believed in her even during moments when she doubted herself. “None of us achieves success alone.”

Emily deeply understands the power of having people who lift you up and remind you who you are when life gets heavy.

A Creative Soul Outside the Office.

What might surprise people most about Emily is her deeply creative side.

Music has always been a meaningful outlet for her. She grew up playing piano and recently began playing again, rediscovering the same peace and healing it gave her years ago.

She also recently returned to sewing, a hobby she learned from her grandmother as a child.

Trips to fabric stores, choosing patterns together, and creating something from scratch remain some of her favorite memories. These creative outlets allow her to slow down, reconnect with herself, and protect her peace in a constantly moving industry.

The Soundtrack to Her Story.

Emily’s first concert was Alan Jackson, but her music taste spans every genre. Recently, she has been especially drawn to the soulful sound of Melody Gardot, while The Cranberries remain one of her all-time favorite bands. A little soulful. A little nostalgic. A little powerful. Honestly, it fits her perfectly.

Her Philosophy on Leadership & Life.

One phrase Emily returns to often is: “God is my strength.”

It reminds her to stay calm during stressful moments and trust herself through difficult conversations and challenges.

Another guiding philosophy is simple but deeply meaningful:

“Leave things better than you found them.”

Whether she is improving a process, mentoring someone, strengthening a team, or encouraging another woman in the industry, Emily believes we all have the opportunity to create something better than what existed before.

And she strives to live that every day.

A Legacy of Stronger People & Stronger Teams.

When it comes to legacy, she hopes she leaves behind stronger teams, better systems, and people who believe more deeply in themselves because of her influence.

Yet despite all of her professional accomplishments, she is clear about what matters most.

“My family is my greatest accomplishment.”

That perspective says everything about who she is.

A Final Word to the Women of Her.Collective.

Emily’s message to women in title is both heartfelt and empowering:

“Your past does not define you; your challenges do not limit you, and your potential is far greater than you may realize.”

 Keep learning. Keep believing in yourself. Keep showing up.

Because women like Emily Rooney prove that leadership can be powerful and compassionate at the same time. We are honored to celebrate Emily Rooney as this week’s Her.Collective Spotlight Woman of Title.

*Connect with Emily: erooney@sterlinglandtitle.com I LinkedIn I Instagram I Facebook

Feature Spotlight #82 - Irene Rueda

Irene Rueda: Faith, Fire, and Fearless Leadership.

Sometimes the most life-changing careers begin with a single unexpected moment. For Irene Rueda, it started with a random Facebook post, a little curiosity, and the quiet realization that she wanted more for herself and her family.

Today, Irene is the CEO of Phoenix Notary Pro, a nationwide mobile notary and signing service, and Phoenix Doc Pros, an Arizona-based legal document preparation company focused on estate planning. But long before building seven-figure businesses and becoming a respected national voice in the notary and title-adjacent space, Irene was simply a hardworking woman trying to figure out how to create a better future.

Based in Glendale, Arizona, Irene has been in the notary and title industry since 2019, though her professional roots go back more than two decades in the legal field as a legal secretary and paralegal.

Those years gave her an invaluable foundation: understanding documents, serving clients, meeting deadlines, and learning the importance of getting things right the first time.

But entrepreneurship? That part came unexpectedly.

One Facebook Comment Changed Everything.

At the time, Irene was working for the city and living paycheck to paycheck. “I knew I was working hard,” she says, “but deep down I also knew I wanted more freedom, more opportunity, and the chance to build something of my own.”

One day while scrolling Facebook, she came across a post asking people about their side hustles. Buried in the comments was one response that immediately caught her attention:

Someone mentioned being a notary doing loan signings. “At the time, I was already a notary,” Irene explains, “but I had no idea you could build an actual career around it.”

That single comment changed the course of her life.

“What started as curiosity turned into a business, then a company, then a team, then a community.” Today, Irene leads one of Arizona’s largest in-person notary communities, owns a nationwide signing service, speaks nationally within the industry, and continues creating opportunities for others entering the business.

But she never forgets where it all began.

Building Businesses with Purpose.

As CEO of both companies, Irene wears many hats, but her mission remains deeply personal.

Through Phoenix Notary Pro, she oversees nationwide mobile notary services, loan signings, estate planning signings, apostille support, hospital signings, and remote online notarizations.

Through Phoenix Doc Pros, she works to make estate planning more accessible and affordable for families who often feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the process.

“I’m especially passionate about serving underserved communities,” Irene says. “I want families to feel empowered and educated when it comes to protecting what they’ve worked so hard to build.”

She is also deeply committed to notary education and professionalism. “I believe educated notaries protect the integrity of the signer, the transaction, the title company, and the entire industry.” 

The Women Who Believed in Her Early.

When Irene first entered the industry, several escrow officers saw something in her before she fully saw it in herself.

She credits women like Maria Villezcas, Christine Telles, Carolyn Lee, Olivia Vazquez-Simmons, Julia Quintana, Marie Andrus, Arlene Bejarano, Lori Pridgett-Joyner, Tiffannie Hobgood, and Melissa Tarazon for encouraging her to dream bigger and push further than she thought possible.

“Their belief in me at the beginning of my career made all the difference,” she says.

More than anything, they taught her the value of relationships, professionalism, and building a business rooted in integrity.

Refusing to Be Limited.

One challenge Irene has faced in the industry is seeing that while most notaries are women, many of the successful signing service owners are still men. “As a Latina, as a woman, and as someone who did not come from wealth or a traditional business background, I know what it feels like to walk into rooms where people underestimate you,” she says.

But rather than allowing that reality to discourage her, Irene turned it into fuel.

“I want to show the next generation that a woman, and specifically a Latina woman, can not only succeed in this space—but dominate it.”

Part of that mission led her to create in-person notary meetups and educational events throughout Arizona. “I wanted to create the kind of space I wish I had when I was starting out,” she says. “A place where people can learn, ask questions, build relationships, and create a strong foundation for their business.”

Advice for the Next Generation.

When asked what advice she would give women entering the industry today, Irene doesn’t hesitate.

“Just start, and bring a great attitude with you.”

She believes success in this business comes down to consistency, integrity, professionalism, and how people experience you. “People remember how you show up, how you communicate, how you handle mistakes, and whether they can trust you.”

And perhaps most importantly:

“Never think where you start is where you have to stay.”

Her “Why”: Family, Legacy, and Breaking Cycles.

Irene’s motivation runs far deeper than business success. As a first-generation Mexican-American and the first person on her father’s side of the family to graduate high school, she carries an enormous sense of responsibility and purpose. “I never went to college,” she says. “For many of my family members, college wasn’t even presented as an option.”

That reality shaped her vision for what she wanted to build.

“This business is no longer just about me,” Irene says. “It’s about family legacy. It’s about building generational wealth and becoming the example I wish I had seen growing up.”

She wants the younger generation in her family to see that the bar can be raised—even when no one before you had the opportunity to raise it first.

Strength Through Faith and Family.

When life becomes difficult, Irene leans on two things without hesitation: “My faith and my family. Both are non-negotiable.”

She openly acknowledges the hard seasons, the moments of exhaustion, and the times she had to figure things out without a roadmap. But through it all, she stayed grounded in purpose. “I know I’m building something bigger than myself,” she says. “And that gives me the strength to keep going.”

The Village Behind Her Success.

Irene speaks lovingly about the people who helped support her journey, including her children, family, team, and closest supporters. Her sons, in particular, played a meaningful role in helping bring technology into the business and strengthening operations in ways that made the company even more successful. “This is not just a company I built for myself,” she says. “It has become part of my family’s legacy.”

At the same time, Irene shares an honest truth many successful women eventually discover:

“The more successful you become, the smaller your village gets. You get to choose who is in it. And my village today is exactly who I want it to be.”

 But she says there is peace in that too.

Life Beyond Work.

Outside of business, Irene finds peace in simple things. She loves reading. She loves the beach. “The sound of the waves is the most peaceful thing in the world to me,” she says. “That’s where I feel most at peace.”

And when it comes to music, there is one artist who holds a permanent place in her heart:

“Selena Quintanilla. Always.”

A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Integrity.

Irene’s personal mantra says everything about how she approaches leadership and relationships: “Never burn bridges, but if someone lights that match, let it burn.”

To her, that means always operating with professionalism, respect, and integrity—while also understanding that growth sometimes requires letting go of people or situations no longer aligned with your path.

Building Without Gatekeeping.

One of the skills Irene is most proud of mastering is learning how to lead while still helping others rise.

“Real leadership means opening doors for others, not guarding them.”

That philosophy has become the foundation of the community she has built through mentorship, trainings, mock signings, and educational events. “I believe true success means you’re willing to bring others with you.”

The Legacy She Hopes to Leave.

When Irene thinks about legacy, she immediately thinks about her children.

“I want to leave proof that you can break generational curses and build generational wealth in the same lifetime.”

Within the industry itself, she hopes to leave behind a legacy of education, professionalism, and opportunity. She wants notaries to be taken seriously. She wants title companies to value trained professionals. And she wants more women—especially Latina women—to know they belong in leadership spaces and decision-making rooms.

Most of all, she hopes people look at her story and think:

“If she did it… maybe I can too.”

A Final Message to the Women of Her.

Irene’s encouragement to the women of Her. Collective is simple, powerful, and deeply authentic: “Don’t be afraid to try something new. You truly never know where life will lead you.”

She reminds women that success does not require permission, perfect timing, wealth, or even a traditional path.

“You do not have to come from wealth to create wealth. You do not have to have a college degree to build something powerful.”

 And sometimes, she says, the people who become the example are simply the ones brave enough to go first.

Thank you, Irene, for your grit, generosity, leadership, and heart. We are honored to celebrate your story as an inspiring Title Women of Her.collective.

*Connect with Irene: irene@phoenixnotarypro.com  I LinkedIn I Instagram I Facebook