Marissa Deml doesn’t just keep up with change—she builds it.
In an industry once bogged down by manual processes and endless checklists, she has carved out a reputation as a relentless innovator, constantly searching for ways to make title smarter, faster, and more adaptable to the real world.
Her motto? "If there’s no reason to say ‘no’ to trying something new, let’s say ‘yes.’"
It’s this mindset that has propelled her from closing assistant to Chief Operating Officer at TitleSmart, leading automation efforts, workflow transformation, and a push toward an industry that actually works for the people in it.
From Assistant to Architect
Deml’s entry into the title industry wasn’t planned.
A friend suggested TitleSmart as a great place to work. She started as a closing assistant in 2016, but she wasn’t the type to just follow the existing system—she saw the gaps and started filling them. By 2018, she was in operations, playing a pivotal role in TitleSmart’s transition from AIM+ to SoftPro—a shift that fundamentally reshaped how the company approached automation and efficiency.
But the move to SoftPro wasn’t just about switching software—it was about rethinking how work gets done. "If we’re doing the same task every single time or if it’s always formulaic, why not automate it?" Deml explains.
She worked closely with her team to embed automation into workflows, reducing mental overload on employees and allowing them to focus on complex, high-value issues instead of checking boxes and sending redundant emails.
Building Systems for the 95%
One of Deml’s biggest strengths? She knows how to separate the signal from the noise.
"You’re always going to have weird situations—six sellers on a file, an odd legal matter—but that’s not the norm. So we build for the 95%, then deal with the 5% separately."
Instead of designing processes around exceptions, she takes a structured approach:
The result? Smoother transactions, reduced errors, and a team that can focus on what actually matters.
The Future will be Built on Collaboration & Flexibility
Looking ahead, Deml envisions a title industry that’s more connected, not more fragmented. Especially in a split-closing state like Minnesota, where title companies often work on opposite sides of the same transaction, she sees too much unnecessary friction.
"Right now, we’re all trying to protect our own risk assessments, but if we could get on the same page, it would make things so much smoother for everyone. I’m trying to ‘walk the walk’ on that whenever I can."
She’s already led successful digital closing initiatives at TitleSmart, spearheading Remote Online Notarization (RON) efforts in 2019—well before the pandemic forced the industry’s hand. Her vision? A fully adaptable title experience.
"Do you want to close from your house? Sure, we’ll come to you.
Are you traveling but need to sign? We can handle that remotely.
Title should work for the customer, not the other way around."
Finding Breakthroughs in Unexpected Places
When she’s not optimizing workflows, Deml finds clarity in long walks with her dog, Shindig—a mix of cattle dog, beagle, and pitbull. She also cross-stitches, listens to podcasts, and lets ideas simmer in the background until, suddenly, a solution clicks.
"You let an idea sit on the back burner, and then, boom, a solution hits you when you’re doing something completely unrelated." She’s not forcing innovation—she’s making space for it.
A Relentless Drive for Progress
Deml has built her career on saying yes to what’s next.
Whether it’s automating workflows, spearheading digital closings, or pushing for industry-wide collaboration, she sees the gaps and fills them.
Looking 5, 10, or 20 years down the road, she envisions a title industry that’s more digital, more integrated, and more adaptable to the needs of consumers.
And if history is any indication, she won’t just be talking about that future—she’ll be building it.
The Growth & Scale Report is published by CloseSimple, and explores strategies for growth and tools for scaling your title or escrow company. The report emphasizes the art of balancing growth and scale, with a focus on personal and organizational success stories. It aims to share insights from industry leaders who have navigated these challenges, providing a platform for broader conversations in the business landscape.