I can be proud of what I've accomplished while still being hungry for more. Gratitude keeps me grounded, ambition keeps me asking: "What's next?"
Merita O'Krinsky · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Merita
Merita O’Krinsky is an accomplished title insurance professional serving as AVP and Business Development Manager at Fidelity National Title in Houston, Texas. With a strong background in finance and real estate, she specializes in supporting residential and commercial real estate transactions, including development, homebuilding, and multifamily projects. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from University of St. Thomas and began her career in the title industry at a privately held title agency before joining Fidelity National Title in 2018.
Throughout her career, Merita has built a reputation for relationship-driven business development, client service, and strategic growth within the real estate community. In her role, she focuses on cultivating strong partnerships, expanding client relationships, and providing value to real estate professionals and organizations nationwide. She credits her success to consistent hard work, passion, and dedication, believing that long-term success comes from building trust and maintaining meaningful professional connections.
Beyond her professional achievements, Merita is deeply committed to community leadership and mentorship. She serves on the board of the Downtown Rotary Club of Houston and is preparing to serve as vice president and president of the organization. She is also the co-founder of the Extreme Foundation, a nonprofit initiative focused on creating internship opportunities for high school students from immigrant and lower-income backgrounds. Through her career and community involvement, Merita continues to advocate for professional excellence, opportunity, and positive impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Merita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to watching my parents immigrate here. It has been the biggest driver for my success. I would attribute literally every moment, every tear, every celebration to it. My dad more than anything in this world.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t spend your career trying to prove you deserve a seat at the table. Become so valuable to the conversation that humans notice when you’re not at the table.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice is there is no secret sauce. It is work. Get up and go to work. Do it with passion and put in the energy that it takes. Balance does not exist, it is what you make it. My daughter understands that mom's not always going to be at every single thing because this is the life that we've chosen.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the biggest challenges, and simultaneously one of the greatest opportunities, in our industry right now is differentiation. Title insurance can easily be viewed as a commodity, especially as technology, automation, and consolidation continue to reshape the real estate landscape. The companies and professionals who win will be the ones who can demonstrate value far beyond the transaction.
For me, the opportunity is in becoming a true strategic partner, leveraging technology to create efficiency while doubling down on the things technology can’t replace: relationships, trust, judgment, connectivity, and the ability to solve complex problems.
I also think there’s tremendous opportunity in being more intentional about connecting the different parts of the real estate ecosystem. When you can bring developers, builders, lenders, brokers, investors, attorneys, and other decision-makers together and create opportunities that may not have existed otherwise, you’re no longer simply providing a title service. You’re helping create business, and that’s an entirely different value proposition.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both personally and professionally, are integrity/loyalty, relationships, service, growth, and excellence.
Integrity and loyalty are the foundational for me. I believe your word and your reputation are two of the most valuable things you have, and I try to make decisions based on what is right, not simply what is easy or advantageous.
Relationships are equally important. I genuinely believe that business and life are built on human connection. I want people to know that I care about them beyond the transaction, the opportunity, or what they can do for me. Trust is earned over time, and I take that responsibility seriously.
Service is another value that guides me. Whether I’m serving my clients, my team, my community, or my family, I want to leave people and situations better than I found them.
I also place tremendous value on growth and excellence. I never want success to make me complacent. I want to remain curious, coachable, and willing to challenge myself to become a better leader, professional, mother, friend, and human.
Ultimately, I want the way I live and work to be aligned. Success means very little to me if it comes at the expense of my character, my relationships, or the positive impact I have on other humans.
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