Stewart Title Has A Global Name, But A Local Commitment
Written by Elizabeth McCabe | Photos by Lily Chris Photography
Buying or selling a home is one of life's biggest milestones. It's exciting. It's stressful. And sometimes, it can feel overwhelming. Few people understand that better than Lisa Welch.
Over the past 27 years, she's worn nearly every hat in the real estate industry. She's been a REALTOR®. She's been an escrow officer. She has earned her broker's license. She knows firsthand what it's feels like to wait anxiously for a closing, navigate surprising challenges, and yes, count on that commission check to support a family.
"I've been on the other side of the table," Lisa says. "I know what it's like to be the REALTOR®. I was married to a REALTOR®, and we raised four children on commission checks."
Today, Lisa serves as Escrow Officer for Stewart Title's Tulsa office, bringing decades of experience (and plenty of empathy) to every transaction. That perspective is one reason Stewart Title is quickly making its mark in Tulsa.
Although Stewart Title has been serving Oklahoma City for years, August 4, 2025, marked an exciting milestone: the opening of its first direct office in Tulsa. For one of the world's oldest and largest title insurance underwriters, it represents an exciting new era.
More Than 130 Years of Experience
Founded in Galveston, Texas, in 1893, Stewart Title has grown into one of the largest title insurance underwriters in the world, operating in multiple countries while helping millions of buyers, sellers, lenders, builders, and REALTORS® complete successful real estate transactions.
Yet despite its international reach, Lisa says the company's culture still feels remarkably personal.
"They see us as individuals," she says. "You're not just another employee or another desk. They genuinely care about their people while making decisions that help both the customer and the company."
That culture has earned national recognition. In 2025, Stewart was named one of Forbes' America's Best Employers for Women and also received the USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award. The company was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of its Best Companies to Work For.
One Point of Contact
Because the Tulsa office is still growing, Lisa stays personally involved in every file from beginning to end.
"We're so new in Tulsa that I have my hands in every file from the beginning of the process to the very end," she says. "I don't hand it off to someone else." For REALTORS®, that means one consistent point of contact throughout the entire transaction.
Communication, Lisa believes, is everything. "My phone goes to my cell phone, so I'm available pretty much 24/7," she says. "If there's an issue, I want people to know about it as quickly as possible." Her goal is simple: eliminate surprises.
She also believes closings should be celebrations. "I try to make the process as fun as possible," she says. "By the time everyone gets to the closing table, we have a little party. The middle of the transaction can be stressful, so it's nice when the ending is enjoyable."
Putting Relationships First
One advantage Stewart offers is something many people don't realize. Because Stewart is the actual title insurance underwriter, not a third-party agent, Lisa has direct access to decision-makers.
"My boss is the underwriter," she explains. "We are the underwriter. There is no third party."
That often allows questions to be answered more quickly while giving agents confidence they're working directly with the source. Lisa's background as both a REALTOR® and broker also allows her to better understand the challenges agents face every d ay. "I can't give legal advice," she says, "but I can often suggest solutions that may help move a transaction forward."
She especially enjoys mentoring newer agents and helping them learn the business.
Growing With Tulsa
One reason Stewart has remained successful for more than 130 years is its ability to adapt. While researching the company's history, Lisa discovered how Stewart has continually developed alongside the housing industry.
Following World War II, as Denver experienced rapid growth, the company expanded into new-home construction. Later came remodeling services as neighborhoods matured. Today, Stewart continues investing in technology, education, and customer service while adjusting to the changing needs of buyers, sellers, builders, and REALTORS®.
"We adapt based on what the market tells us," Lisa says. "That's why we won't become the Blockbusters or Polaroids of the world."
Investing in the Community
Stewart's commitment stretches well beyond the closing table. The company sponsors continuing education opportunities for REALTORS®, broker opens, open houses, and sales meetings while supporting organizations throughout the Tulsa community.
Stewart partners with the Tulsa Botanic Garden, supports the Tulsa Zoo, participates in the Backpacks for Kids program, and works with Homes for Hope, a faith-based organization that provides small business loans to help entrepreneurs build brighter futures.
Employees also volunteer through Rebuilding Together, helping repair and rehabilitate homes for low-income families, veterans, and older adults.
"We try to help our agents," Lisa says. "But we also want to help our community."
Glancing Ahead
As Stewart Title continues growing its presence in Tulsa, the goal isn't simply to close more transactions. It's to build relationships that last for generations. For Lisa, every closing represents more than paperwork. It's a family buying a first home. A seller beginning a new chapter. A REALTOR® relying on a loyal partner. And after nearly three decades in the industry, she still experiences joy in helping make those moments happen.
"Communication is the most important thing," she says. "If we take care of people, everything else falls into place."
Contact Them Today!
stewart.com/en/markets/tulsa/offices/tulsa
918) 882-0869
