Empowering Women in Title Insurance: A Conversation with Andrea Somers
In an industry historically dominated by men, women are making waves and leading with passion and integrity. Today, we're honored to feature Andrea Somers, a trailblazer in the title insurance industry, as part of our Women of Title series. Andrea shares her journey, challenges, and the wisdom she's gained in her impressive career spanning over two decades.
A Journey Into Title Insurance.
Andrea Somers, a member of the Florida Agency Network, has been a part of the title insurance world since 2001. She recounts her initial steps into the industry as a fortuitous accident: “Like many of us, I fell into Title by happenstance and found a deep passion for it. I always like to say Title Insurance found me.” Starting in an entry-level role, Andrea quickly immersed herself in learning every aspect of the business during a particularly busy period in the industry.
The fast-paced environment fueled her love for the work, and she found herself drawn to the constant challenges and opportunities to learn. Over time, she moved up the ranks, eventually becoming a National Vendor Manager and managing a busy REO closing office after the market crash of 2008. In 2015, a chance meeting with the CEO of the Florida Agency Network on an airplane led her to her current position, where she manages their ancillary division, Network Transaction Solutions. “I can honestly say, I am home!” she says with pride.
Challenges and Overcoming Barriers.
When asked about the challenges she has faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, Andrea reflects on her early years: “It was interesting entering the title world with no female leaders to look up to at that time. I had to learn quickly how to read a room, understand the dynamics of the office, and adapt my behavior to stand out for my work performance.”
Despite the lack of female mentorship in the early stages of her career, Andrea found strength in her resilience and determination. She advises younger women entering the field to start with self-belief: “To get people to hear you, first you have to believe you are worth hearing. Know that you are worthy and valuable and bring your best self to every situation.”
Finding Inspiration in Leadership
Andrea now finds herself in a leadership role, mentoring and empowering others. She emphasizes the importance of leading with integrity and compassion. Her favorite book, “Dare to Lead,” by Brené Brown, has deeply influenced her philosophy. The book stresses that great leadership requires vulnerability, a concept that Andrea has embraced: “Leadership is such a gift, and also constantly challenges me to grow and evolve. My daily mission as a leader is to lead my teams with integrity and empowerment, and to build teams where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
She also credits her WHY—the motivation to help people—as a driving force behind her success. “At the core of what we do, we are helping families and homeowners protect themselves against errors or missing information that could threaten their ownership rights,” she explains.
Advice for Future Generations
Andrea is passionate about mentoring the next generation of women in the title industry. She encourages younger women to embrace continuous learning, both about the industry and about themselves: “Staying on a path of continuous learning will increase your self-awareness, widen your skillset, and help you become more creative in problem-solving by being able to think outside the box.”
She also addresses the challenges that women may face from their peers. Sometimes, women can be their own greatest adversaries in the workplace. Her advice? Stay self-assured. “Often, people act this way due to reasons that have nothing to do with you. Stay grounded in your self-confidence and continue to show up as your best self each day.”
Inner Strength and Legacy
What keeps Andrea going in the face of challenges? Her inner strength comes from staying grounded in her WHY and her desire to make a positive impact on others. She explains, “Knowing that each move I make can impact someone positively keeps me inspired to push forward.”
When asked about her legacy, Andrea expresses a desire to leave the title industry better than she found it. She hopes to be remembered for her efforts to share knowledge, get involved in industry associations, and make a lasting impact through mentorship.
A Personal Side
Outside of work, Andrea has a creative side that may surprise her colleagues. She enjoys art projects, yoga, and stand-up paddleboarding. “I love doing anything outside in nature,” she says.
Her personal philosophy, which she strives to live by both professionally and personally, is one of integrity. “Integrity is the main value that guides my decisions and actions every day. Staying aligned with this value makes every decision and move I make that much easier.”
Looking Ahead
As Andrea continues to shape the future of the title industry, she emphasizes the importance of building up others, especially women. “We can always use more of that in our industry. Creating environments where we are building each other up, sharing information, and learning from one another is something we could all benefit from.”
In closing, Andrea expresses her gratitude for being a part of the “Women of Title” community, saying, “Thank you for including me in your community, I’m honored!”
Final Thoughts
Andrea Somers is a shining example of what it means to be a woman leader in the title industry. Her journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, is a source of inspiration for others looking to make their mark. Through her dedication to learning, leadership, and integrity, Andrea is leaving a lasting impact on the industry and the people she works with.
*Connect with Andrea here: andrea.somers@flagency.net I LinkedIn | Facebook I Instagram
**For more insights and inspiring stories from other leading women in the title industry, stay tuned to our “Women of Title” series.