Deanna Johnson’s journey from attorney and Chief Compliance Officer to CEO of Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC, embodies her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the legal and title industry. This is part of our Impactful Leaders in Law series. Check out the Digital version of Edition I of this issue.
What according to you makes one impactful? How do you integrate the same thought into your legal practice?
To me, being impactful means making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of others or the community. Connecting with others both professionally and personally helps me be impactful by fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building relationships. Through meaningful interactions, I can understand the needs and perspectives of individuals, tailoring my responses and assistance accordingly. In legal practice, this translates to advocating for justice, upholding the rule of law, and effectively representing clients’ interests.
To integrate this thought into my legal practice and my professional career, I prioritize understanding my clients’ and employees’ needs and concerns thoroughly, providing them with knowledgeable and strategic advice. Additionally, I strive to contribute positively to the legal profession and title community by participating in pro bono work and servicing a variety of boards and committees within the industry.
Can you share the story of your journey with Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC, from your initial role as an attorney and Chief Compliance Officer to becoming the CEO in 2022?
Certainly! My journey with Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC began when I joined the company as an attorney and later as Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, I was responsible for ensuring that the company complied with all relevant laws and regulations governing the title and escrow industry as well as complying with ALTA Best Practices. I worked closely with the executive team and oversaw routine audits.
As I immersed myself in the operations of the company, I became increasingly passionate about its mission and the opportunities for growth and innovation within the industry. I consistently demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to excellence in customer service.
Over time, my contributions were recognized by the executive team, and I was given the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles within the company. Through hard work, dedication, and a focus on driving results, I was able to demonstrate my capabilities as a leader and contribute to the company’s success.
In 2022, I was honored to be appointed as the CEO of Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC. In this role, I am committed to building on the strong foundation established by my predecessors and leading the company to new heights of success. I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and I am confident that with the support of our talented team, we will continue to thrive and achieve our goals.
As a female CEO in the title industry, your journey serves as a powerful narrative. How do you perceive the role of diversity and inclusion in the corporate landscape, and what impact do you hope to make as a female leader?
As a female CEO in the title industry, I recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the corporate landscape. Diversity brings different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, which can lead to more innovative solutions, better decision-making, and ultimately, improved business performance. Inclusion ensures that all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work, regardless of their background or identity.
I perceive my role as a female leader as an opportunity to champion diversity and inclusion within my organization and the broader industry. I strive to create a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported, where meritocracy thrives, and where barriers to advancement are removed. I am committed to fostering an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive and reach their full potential.
Additionally, I hope to serve as a role model and mentor for other women aspiring to leadership positions in the title industry and beyond. By sharing my own experiences, offering support and guidance, and advocating for gender equality and diversity in leadership, I aim to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders.
Ultimately, I believe that embracing diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do ethically, but it also makes good business sense. By harnessing the power of diverse perspectives and talents, we can drive innovation, foster creativity, and achieve sustainable growth and success for our organization and the communities we serve.
In your role as CEO, how do you define success for Foundation Title & Escrow Services, and what goals or milestones are you working towards for the company’s continued growth?
As CEO of Foundation Title & Escrow Services, I define success as achieving excellence in customer service, maintaining a strong reputation in the industry for reliability and integrity, and consistently exceeding financial targets. Some of the goals and milestones I am working towards for the company’s continued growth include expanding our market presence into new regions, increasing our market share within existing markets, enhancing technological capabilities to streamline processes and improve efficiency, and investing in professional development to ensure our team remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.
Finally, what is your vision going forward for Foundation Title & Escrow Services? What are you most excited about?
My vision for Foundation Title & Escrow Services going forward is to continue and grow our position as a trusted leader in the title and escrow industry while continuing to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the market. I am committed to fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and innovation within our organization, where our team members are empowered to excel, our clients receive exceptional service, and our communities benefit from our contributions.
I am most excited about the opportunities for growth and innovation that lie ahead. I see tremendous potential for leveraging technology to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve the customer experience.
I am also excited about the prospect of expanding our market presence into new regions and exploring new service offerings to better serve our clients’ needs.
Furthermore, I am enthusiastic about the chance to continue investing in our team’s professional development and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. By staying true to our core values and embracing change and innovation, I am confident that Foundation Title & Escrow Services will continue to thrive and make a positive impact in the industry and the communities we serve.
Visit Foundation Title & Escrow Services, LLC Website.
Contact Deanna Johnson on LinkedIn.
