Industry Loses a ‘Royal’ Trailblazer
September 9, 2025
In 2019, Mary O’Donnell achieved two milestones when she was installed as ALTA’s president. Not only was it the first time in the association’s history with back-to-back female presidents, but O’Donnell also became the first woman to represent the underwriters’ section as ALTA’s leader.
These were just two significant achievements O’Donnell attained during her career in title industry, where she built a reputation as an innovator, leader and genuine trailblazer in the industry. O’Donnell unexpectedly passed away Sept. 4 after a brief illness while visiting her family in Ireland.
“Mary was, quite simply, a force. A proud Brit—and, as many of us often said, industry royalty—she brought a distinctive blend of sharp intellect and bold leadership to everything she touched,” said Chris Morton, ALTA’s CEO. “Her commitment to excellence, innovation and the needs of customers and consumers, helped shape not just our association but the industry as a whole.”
O’Donnell’s passion for leadership was evident long before her passing. Born in Liverpool, England, she graduated with honors from Sheffield University’s College of Law in 1984 at the age of 21, later practicing law in New York before transitioning into title insurance in 1989. O’Donnell worked at American Pioneer Title Insurance Co. for 16 years before taking over the reins of Westcor in 2004, guiding it from a three-state underwriter with about $40 million in revenue to a national powerhouse exceeding $500 million in annual revenue.
“I had the privilege of knowing her for over 20 years,” said Lisa Steele, CEO of Mother Lode Holding Co. “She was a pioneer for women in the title industry. Her leadership and vision have helped shape this industry and grow Westcor from a dream to the company it is today. Mary was a tenacious trailblazer with a brilliant mind and great sense of humor. Her kindness, creativity, and leadership built a deep legacy, she will be dearly missed.”
Her ALTA presidency also marked a major philanthropic milestone with the founding of the ALTA Good Deeds Foundation (AGDF) in 2020. In just five years, under her stewardship, the foundation has awarded over $1.2 million to organizations making a meaningful difference in their communities.
Don Kennedy, managing director of First American Title Insurance Co.’s Agency Division, called O’Donnell a “true titan of the title insurance industry.” The two served together on the boards of ALTA and AGDF.
“She was an industry expert and a truly fearless leader, always speaking her mind with an eloquence and deftness I admired,” Kennedy said. “Forceful, but caring, and as quick witted as they come, she ascended to ALTA president during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her calm, yet decisive leadership was critical in helping guide the industry through the many challenges presented by the onset of the pandemic. Thanks to Mary, I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the (AGDF) board since 2020. Mary's creativity and zeal helped take the foundation from an idea to an organization that has raised over a million dollars and given out hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities around the country.”
Colleagues around the country remembered O’Donnell as “a warm and dynamic woman who lit up every room,” someone who “never met a stranger,” treating every professional interaction like a personal one. Her humanity matched her ambition—and inspired countless those around her.
O’Donnell was more than her career. She was a warm and dynamic woman who lit up every room she entered. She never met a stranger, and everyone she met professionally became her friend. She thought of her colleagues as family and treated them that way.
Aaron Davis, CEO of AMD Enterprises, a conglomerate of business ventures comprised including Florida Agency Network (FAN), also served on the AGDF Board with O’Donnell. He shared a story from ALTA ONE in 2024 that captured her sprit. Davis said O’Donnell had planned a leadership meeting with her team at Ardán Family of Companies. (O’Donnell also was the CEO and president of Ardán Family of Companies, which is the parent company of Westcor.) Instead, O’Donnell pivoted, rolled up her sleeves and joined Davis and FAN staff to support the Plant City, Fla., community following Hurricane Milton.
“Mary and her team delivered food and water to hundreds of families in need, helped first responders, and even grabbed a chainsaw to clear trees and debris,” Davis said. “That day, she showed what true leadership looks like—not from behind a desk, but hand-in-hand with the people and communities we serve.”
In the wake of her passing, Terry Wright, co-founder of Westcor, has been named interim CEO at Ardán as the company pursues its permanent leadership plan.
O’Donnell is survived by her husband, Kevin; her stepdaughter Lauren McNichol, her husband Don, and their son Kilian; as well as siblings John Harding, Annie Keane and Patt Hives.
Click here to view a slideshow of O'Donnell.
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].