Feature Spotlight #92 - Shannel Keller

Building the Future, One Conversation at a Time.

Sometimes the best careers begin with a simple conversation. For Shannel Keller, what started as a phone call asking a former colleague about life in Austin quickly turned into an opportunity, she never saw coming.

At the time, she knew very little about title, escrow, or even the world of SaaS. But one introduction would ultimately lead her to a career where she discovered not only a profession she loved, but an industry she now proudly calls home.

Today, Shannel serves as a Senior Solutions Engineer at Qualia, where she has become a trusted advisor helping title professionals embrace technology with confidence. While her title sounds highly technical, she laughs that many people assume she spends her days writing code. “The truth is," she says, "I'm really a translator and a builder of trust."

She helps technical buyers feel confident and non-technical buyers feel empowered, showing customers not just what technology can do, but what it can make possible for their businesses. At her core, she's passionate about helping companies unlock their full potential through innovation.

Finding Her Place in Title.

Like so many women in this industry, Shannel didn't grow up dreaming of a career in title insurance. She simply followed an opportunity. A trusted connection encouraged her to apply for a role at Qualia after relocating to Austin.

She stepped into an unfamiliar industry with no previous experience in title, escrow, or software sales. Then something unexpected happened. "The more I learned," she says,

"I realized how much of the backbone of the American economy is powered by women working in real estate."

That realization changed everything. "I knew I'd landed somewhere special." Nearly eight years later, she's still helping shape the future of an industry she quickly fell in love with.

The Woman Who Saw Her Potential.

Every successful career has someone who believes in us before we fully believe in ourselves. For Shannel, that person was Jamie Kump. "She saw something in me before I saw it in myself," Shannel says.

Jamie not only encouraged her growth but helped build the confidence that would allow her to thrive in an entirely new industry.

She also credits Qualia's culture for intentionally elevating women into leadership positions, creating opportunities for talented women to lead, mentor, and inspire the next generation.

Building Success Her Own Way.

Starting from scratch wasn't easy.

Without experience in title, escrow, or SaaS, Shannel quickly discovered that traditional sales training built around memorization and rigid scripts simply wasn't how her mind worked.

Instead of trying to force herself into someone else's formula, she created her own.

That experience taught her two lessons she'll never forget.

1.      Confidence doesn't come from having every answer. It comes from being comfortable saying, "I don't know, but I'll find out." And

2.      success rarely comes from fitting into someone else's mold. It comes from embracing your own strengths and building a path that's authentically yours.

Always Have Something to Look Forward To.

When asked what keeps her motivated, Shannel's answer isn't about quotas or promotions. It's about perspective.

"Always have a trip planned."

Whether it's returning home to spend time with family or exploring somewhere entirely new with her fiancé, having something meaningful on the horizon helps her stay energized during even the busiest seasons.

It's a simple reminder that work matters—but life outside of work matters just as much.

Leading with Calm.

Leadership inevitably brings difficult conversations, and Shannel has developed a thoughtful approach for navigating them. One lesson has stayed with her since her years in student government: Separate the person from the problem.

She believes that most conflict comes from people protecting something important; whether it's their reputation, budget, or team. Once you understand what's driving the emotion, collaboration becomes much easier.

Her advice to women leaders is both simple and powerful:

"Don't mistake calm for weak."

Strength isn't measured by who speaks the loudest. It's demonstrated through confidence, empathy, and the ability to find common ground.

 Helping Others Rise.

Shannel believes the title industry becomes stronger every time someone intentionally helps another person grow.

She recalls a colleague casually mentioning an interest in leadership during a happy hour conversation. Rather than simply encouraging her, Shannel recommended leadership books, spoke with the colleague's manager, and helped create a development path toward that goal.

To her, mentorship isn't an HR initiative. It's everyone's responsibility.

"We cultivate stronger leaders by treating other people's growth as something worth our own time and effort."

Strength Built at Home.

Much of Shannel's grit comes from watching her father. A firefighter for nearly three decades, he raised three children largely on his own while showing his family the value of resilience, hard work, and asking for help when needed.

"He never made it look dramatic," she says. "He just kept showing up."

That quiet consistency became the standard Shannel strives to live by every day.

Life Beyond the Office.

Outside of work, there's another side of Shannel many colleagues don't immediately see.

She's an avid traveler who always has another destination circled on the calendar.

She's also a passionate San Francisco 49ers fan whose calm professional demeanor quickly disappears on Sundays during football season.

Those adventures—and game days shared with her fiancé—keep life balanced and joyful.

Listening Between the Lines.

 One of the greatest skills Shannel has developed throughout her career isn't speaking.

It's listening. Real listening.

She believes success often comes from hearing the question someone isn't asking.

By slowing down, paying attention, and understanding what's beneath the surface, she's able to solve problems more effectively and build stronger relationships. In many ways, that philosophy reflects who she is both professionally and personally.

A Legacy of Opportunity.

When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave behind, Shannel's answer came without hesitation.                

"Bringing more women to the table."

She believes the future of title depends on welcoming new voices, investing in education, and helping more people understand the incredible opportunities this industry offers.

She also hopes to see greater public education around homeownership, empowering families long before they ever sit down at the closing table.

One accomplishment she's especially proud of reflects that very belief. Through the career she built in title, Shannel became the first woman in her family to purchase a home on her own. A milestone she hopes inspires her nieces and future generations of women to pursue financial independence with confidence.

A Final Word.

If there's one message Shannel hopes every woman carries with her, it's this:

"Assume the best in people."

You never know what someone else is carrying.

When we choose grace over judgment, curiosity over assumptions, and connection over competition, we create stronger relationships, stronger teams, and a stronger title industry.

And that's exactly the kind of legacy worth leaving behind.

Thank you, Shannel, for bringing your story to life here within the Her.collective community! Women are making strides and changing the landscape of title insurance in so many ways at every level of the industry. Your impact reaches far beyond technology, and we are grateful to celebrate the remarkable woman you are. We are honored to have you as part of the Her.collective family. Your voice inspires others to keep learning and building a unique path in title insurance. We are honored to know you.

*Connect with Shannel here: shannel.a.keller@gmail.com I LinkedIn