Feature Spotlight #66 - Hope Ottoviani

Featuring: Hope Ottoviani – Big Vision, Bigger Heart, COO Energy.

Today, we’re excited to shine the Her.Collective, Women of Title Spotlight on Hope Ottoviani, Chief Operations Officer at ATG Title, Inc. Based in Warrenton, Virginia. Hope brings 15 years of experience, a deep love for learning, and a people-first leadership style to one of the most dynamic corners of our industry.

Hope’s journey is proof that leadership doesn’t always come from chasing a title—it often comes from saying yes, staying curious, and showing up consistently for others.

A Title Career That Found Her.

Like many women in title, Hope didn’t plan on landing in the industry, but once she did, she leaned all the way in. With a college background in Rhetorical Criticism and Communication, Hope accepted a receptionist role at ATG Title right after graduation. That entry-level position quickly turned into a launching pad.

Eager to learn everything she could, Hope moved into Foreclosures and HUD contracts, sharpening her organizational skills, mastering pipeline management, and learning how to juggle complex files. From there, she transitioned into residential resales and eventually into leadership.

“I wouldn’t say I sought out leadership,” Hope shares. “It kind of finds you. You either accept it or decline it—and I accepted it.”

Leading with Curiosity, Process, and People.

Today, as Chief Operations Officer, Hope embraces the reality that this industry never stops evolving—and neither should its leaders. What excites her most is process improvement and training, especially onboarding new team members and developing future leaders.

Hope believes deeply in surrounding herself with people who are smarter than she is, knowing that strong teams build strong companies. That philosophy has helped ATG grow from 3 states to 37, expand teams nationwide, and retain loyal employees for more than eight years.

For Hope, loyalty like that speaks volumes.

Mentorship That Shaped Her Leadership.

Hope credits Cindy McGovern as a powerful influence in her leadership journey. While Cindy is well known for her work in sales, her impact on Hope went far beyond that—offering guidance, perspective, and a deeper understanding of what leadership truly means.

She also speaks highly of ATG CEO Mo Choumil, whose forward-thinking mindset and industry podcast continue to influence her strategic approach and long-term vision.

Challenges, Growth, and Perspective.

One of the biggest challenges Hope faced as a woman in the industry was learning how to navigate perception;

being viewed as too emotional, too invested, or too animated. As she stepped into executive leadership, she learned an important truth—

"You can’t keep everyone, you can’t change anyone, and you can’t lead effectively without balancing heart and data.”

While people remain central to her leadership style, Hope has grown comfortable with the high-level realities of her role—KPIs, staffing metrics, closing ratios, and profit margins. It’s a balance she continues to refine every day.

Advice for the Next Generation of Women in Title.

Hope’s advice is honest and encouraging: 

“Don’t give up. Everyone starts somewhere. This industry is fast-paced and often unappreciative, but there is real value in the work we do and the connections we build. I promise—it’s worth it.”

The “Why” That Keeps Her Going.

What keeps Hope motivated, even on hard days, is growth and execution. She knows that even when progress isn’t immediately visible, the work matters. Looking back at how far the company—and she herself—has come reinforces that belief.

From statewide expansion to long-term team retention, Hope sees impact in both numbers and relationships.

Strength, Grit, and the Village Behind Her.

Hope draws her grit from her family—especially her two young sons, who inspire her work ethic, perseverance, and ever-present smile. Perspective is her anchor. On difficult days, she reminds herself that things could always be worse, after all, she once sold car wax at a gas station in 15-degree weather.

She’s also supported by a large, close-knit family and a husband in leadership himself, who serves as both sounding board and collaborator.

Life Outside of Title.

Outside the office, Hope’s creative side shines. She writes poetry—over 300 poems so far—and loves to sing, often making up her own lyrics (especially around the holidays). One day, she hopes to publish her work.

Philosophy, Boundaries, and Burnout Prevention.

Hope lives by a simple but powerful philosophy:

Lead by example. Be authentic. If you are yourself, you have no competition.

 In an industry where email never sleeps, she’s also learned the importance of setting boundaries, protecting family time and resetting expectations when needed. And yes, coffee helps too (Starbucks only)!

Legacy and Looking Ahead.

Hope doesn’t often pause to celebrate her own accomplishments, but becoming a COO at a multimillion-dollar company is no small feat. Still, what matters most to her is how she makes people feel.

Her goal is to be remembered as a shining light, a positive, approachable leader who brings personality, optimism, and humanity to a demanding industry.

 Final Words for the Women of Her.Collective.

As she reflects on her journey, Hope leaves the Her.Collective community with a message rooted in experience and authenticity: “Stay confident, smile, and accept that growth can be uncomfortable.”

It’s a reminder that progress rarely feels easy in the moment, but it’s often where the most meaningful transformation happens. With leaders like Hope Ottoviani leading by example—embracing growth, honoring authenticity, and lifting others along the way—the future of our industry feels not only brighter, but more grounded, connected, and human.

*Connect with Hope here: Hope@atgtitle.com I LinkedIn I Instagram I Facebook