M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Women in Business — October 2023 — 5A
www.marej.com
W omen in B usiness An interview with National Integrity Title Agency’s President/Co-Owner Fran Turchi reveals the key to personal and professional development hat is your cur- rent position? As the president
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2019 we relocated, and I was an integral part of designing the client-centric, high-tech shared work environment. I recall at the ribbon cutting itself the sense of a new chap- ter in a home that we made our own. What inspiring word of advice would you give to
a young woman about to go into the field of com- mercial real estate or your allied field? That’s an easy one … Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is true at work as well as in life. Truly it is the key to growth in one’s career but also as a person. MAREJ
Fran Turchi National Integrity Title Agency President/Co-Owner Years with company/firm: 25 years this year with NITA and its predecessor Years in field: 40 years in May 2023 Years in real estate industry: 40 years Real estate organizations / affiliations: American Land Title Association
and co-owner of National In- tegrity Title Agency (NITA), I wear many hats, but none is more important than building a culture and team with one shared goal – to ensure all cli- ents are served at the highest caliber. I’ve been in the title insurance business for longer than I’d like to admit and still work hands-on, illustrating that no task is too routine, no challenge is too difficult, no team member is too experi- enced. That creates an environ- ment of respect at every level of the company and a team that together provides the level of attention for each client. How do you manage the work/life balance? I’m not sure it’s ever possible to have the perfect balance yet I certainly try my best. When home, I’m there 100%. At the office, my focus is work 100%. I use the drive in between to create the separation and make that happen. Having this balance is not only for me but is something I champion at NITA – constantly reinforcing it among the team. What challenges and or obstacles do you feel you needed to overcome to be- come as successful as you are today? After taking ownership of NITA, I was struggling in a shift from management to a more leadership role. There was a “Work Fran” – rigid, detached, impersonal – and the “Real Fran” – one who was far more likely (and preferred) to dive into the trenches and work side-by-side with co-workers. I could not connect the two and lacked confidence to lead ef - fectively. Then I had a “chance encounter” with a professional coach, who illustrated the value of “daring to lead” and showing vulnerability. More- over, she had me recognize the importance of leading as the “Real Fran” versus a persona that was counterintuitive. My confidence soared by being my - self and I loved work more than ever. Working with a coach has helped professionally but also personally. Family and friends all took notice. Most impor- tantly, I’ve recognized the dif- ference and am happier for it. What was the most de- fining moment for you in the profession you are currently in?
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is true at work as well as in life. Truly it is the key to growth in one’s career but also as a person.” — Fran Turchi
It was when we moved to our new corporate headquar- ters. While my partner and I took over NITA in 2015,
it didn’t feel different. We were in the same offices. My everyday routine was just that – routine. However, in
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