Feature Spotlight #50 - Brenda Nelson

Brenda Nelson | Southwest Operations Powerhouse & Training Trailblazer.

In the ever-changing world of title insurance, there are people who don’t just keep pace—they elevate the entire industry. Brenda Nelson is one of them. For nearly three decades, she has blended operational expertise, mentorship, and an unshakable sense of purpose to create a career defined not only by results, but by the way she lifts others along the way.

A Career Born from Life’s Twists

Brenda’s story isn’t the kind that starts with a clear plan. In the mid-1990s, she was a stay-at-home mom navigating a divorce, with four children at home, and looking for a way to put her finance degree to use. Drawn to the law, she earned her paralegal certification with the goal of joining the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division—believing she could be a compassionate voice for people in difficult situations.

While she was in the middle of interviewing for that role, a friend kept nudging her to apply at her law firm. Brenda finally agreed, was offered a job, and accepted—only to get a call from the Attorney General’s office the very next day with an offer of their own. She honored her commitment to the law firm, a decision that ended up rewriting her professional future.

At the firm, she was asked to work on the fee attorney side of the business, affiliated with Commonwealth Title. While she had some background in abstracting, she was new to the closing and funding side. With characteristic determination, Brenda dove into learning all she could. Just a few months in, she attended TLTA’s Land Title School—a pivotal moment that solidified her place in the title world.

“I didn’t set out to be in title, but the more I learned, the more I knew this was the right path for me,” she says. “It’s a field where you never stop learning, and that really spoke to me.”

Leading Across Five States

Since 2010, Brenda has called Old Republic Title Insurance Company her professional home. As Operations Manager for the Southwest Region, she oversees licensing, remittances, training, education, and compliance for five states—Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

She also leads Old Republic’s Agency University nationwide, guiding education and training initiatives that help agencies succeed. “Training and compliance are my sweet spots,” Brenda shares. “When I help someone gain knowledge or clarity that empowers them in their work, that’s when I feel most fulfilled.”

The Mentor Who Saw More

No one climbs without a hand reaching down, and for Brenda, that hand belonged to Janet Minke. “Janet saw something in me I didn’t yet see in myself,” Brenda says. “She pushed me outside my comfort zone—like asking me to teach my first class to my peers. That moment changed everything for me. It made me realize I was capable of so much more.”

She believes the title industry is uniquely collaborative, with professionals who freely give their time to help each other.

“That generosity is rare. It’s one of the things that makes this industry so special.”

Faith, Family & a Full Life

Brenda’s “why” is rooted in her Christian faith, which she calls her compass and strength. It’s also deeply tied to her family—her six children, twelve grandchildren (soon to be lucky thirteen), sisters, nieces, nephews, and a lively extended network that makes up her “village.”

Her children grew up knowing that the end of the month was crunch time in title. She laughs remembering the day her son told his fourth-grade teacher, who scheduled a conference for the last day of the month at 3:30 p.m., “My mom can’t make it—it's month end.”

Outside of work, Brenda is a passionate hockey fan—season ticket holder for the Allen Americans and a proud supporter of the Dallas Stars. She also adores her Airedale Terriers, calling them her “in-resident children.”

And when it comes to music memories? “WOW,” she says, “my very first concert was Donny Osmond at Angels Stadium in Anaheim—and believe it or not, he came onto the field from a hang-glider! When you’re 13, that’s unforgettable. My mom was amazing at preserving memories. I still have the ticket stub and the newspaper article. It always makes me smile.”

Learning, Growing & Leveling Up

Even with decades of experience, Brenda is committed to being a lifelong learner. She credits a few books with helping her sharpen her skills and mindset:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – “It completely reshaped how I prioritize and structure my goals.”

• Smart Brevity – “I revisit this one often. The power of saying more with less is such a valuable skill—and I’m still working on it!”

• 22 Talk SHIFTs by Krister Ungerbock – “I just started this one. It’s all about communication, which is such a foundational skill. I’m always looking for ways to improve how I connect with others.”

  
  

When it comes to podcasts, Brenda is an avid listener of ORT’s Bottom Line Me Podcast, which keeps her connected to insights and updates across the industry. She also enjoys The Mel Robbins Podcast for its quick, practical advice. “I love episodes that are light, short, and to the point. They give me little nuggets of wisdom I can take into my day.”

Advice for the Next Generation

For women new to the industry, Brenda’s advice is simple and powerful:

“Learn everything you can. Take classes, attend events, and seek out mentors. The more you expose yourself to different areas, the more confident and capable you’ll become.”

 She encourages young professionals to approach industry leaders, introduce themselves, and build connections. “Most seasoned professionals want to see new people succeed. We’re here to share what we know.”

On Reputation & Legacy

If there’s one word Brenda lives by, it’s reputation. “My dad instilled in us the importance of protecting it, reminding us that once it’s gone, you can never get it back,” she says. She strives to lead with integrity, honesty, and empathy—believing those values are essential to the health of the industry.

When asked about her legacy, she doesn’t hesitate:

“I want to be remembered as an encourager—someone who helped others feel seen, capable, and valued.”

Words for the Women of Her.Collective

“Women are the backbone of the title industry. We bring resilience, collaboration, and heart to the work we do every day. When we support each other, mentor the next generation, and celebrate each other’s unique talents, we don’t just shape careers—we shape the future of the industry.”

Thank you, Brenda for sharing your incredible story with Her. Collective! You are a true inspiration.

*Connect with Brenda here: bnelson@oldrepublictitle.com I LinkedIn I Instagram I Facebook