“I’m willing to stand up and take the first punch.”
That was a mantra of S. Marcus Calloway, the founder of Calloway Title and Escrow. Known by his peers as the “Dean of Title,” Marcus built a commercial real estate powerhouse on relentless sweat equity and a phone that never stopped ringing. But for Managing Partner Amanda F. Calloway, those words weren’t just a business strategy—they were a childhood lesson in bravery.
Today, as Calloway Title celebrates its 30th Anniversary, Amanda isn’t just carrying her father’s torch; she’s lighting her own path. Coming off the heels of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting Amanda’s unconventional journey and the leadership, resilience and authenticity that define her role as Managing Partner of one of the nation’s most respected commercial title agencies.
The Unconventional Path to the Family Business
Growing up, Amanda didn’t see herself as a successor. While her father was navigating high-stakes deals, she describes herself as an artistic child. After graduating from the University of Georgia with an English degree and a minor in theater, she moved to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway.
“I moved to the city very naive about what all that meant,” Amanda recalls. “I went on auditions, took voice lessons… and then learned that life wasn’t what I had imagined it to be.”
It was a gentle nudge from her father, reminding her of the LSAT scores “sitting on the shelf” that led her to Emory Law. Even then, she didn’t plan on joining the firm. That changed during a law school networking event, when an attorney noticed her name tag and stopped her.
“Your dad’s Marcus Calloway? He’s the Dean of Title! You need to go work with him and learn from him.”
“I hadn’t really realized what a big deal my dad was in that industry,” she says. “It made me understand I had a rare opportunity to do something meaningful.”
Honoring a Legacy of Family First
Marcus Calloway’s leadership style was defined by two things: hard work and loyalty to his people. In the early days, employees were often found around the Calloway family Thanksgiving table, and that sense of family became part of the company’s identity. Today, several members of the original team remain with the firm, helping form the foundation that has carried Calloway Title forward for three decades.
“You have to be very brave to be a leader of a company like this,” Amanda says. “I think my father would be proud that I haven’t let adversity stop me from moving forward and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard or uncomfortable.”
Leading with Authenticity and the Confidence to Stand Firm
As a woman leading a team in an industry historically dominated by men, Amanda has had to find her voice and develop a leadership style rooted in confidence. She credits her success to a mix of servant leadership and learning to stop trying to please everyone.
“I have this yoga teacher who says, ‘What other people think of you is none of your business,’” Amanda notes. Her advice to other women stepping into leadership? “Lead from a place that’s authentic. You were put there for a reason. You have to trust yourself.”
Amanda’s approach to leadership is hands-on. She describes herself as someone who stays in the trenches with her team, ready to step into a deal, solve a problem or support a colleague when challenges arise.
“I’m here with you instead of just watching from above. I’m here to jump in and help fight the fires. And like my dad used to say, I’m willing to stand up and take the first punch. I’m not going to let anybody beat up on my people.”
30 Years of Excellence
Reaching the 30-year milestone is a deeply personal achievement for Amanda. Since taking the helm alongside Managing Partner Kyle J. Levstek, she has helped guide the firm through change, growth and increasingly complex commercial transactions across the country.
“For me personally, it means that I was able to do it,” she says. “Celebrating this milestone validates that I can trust my instincts and that we’re still growing under my and Kyle’s leadership. I’m really proud of that.”
As Calloway Title looks toward the next decade, its leaders continue to lead with the same courage, loyalty and work ethic that defined the company from the beginning—proving that honoring a legacy doesn’t mean standing still. It means having the strength to step forward, take the first punch and keep building what comes next.
Calloway Title provides commercial title and escrow services for complex deals nationwide. To learn more about our 30-year history and our leadership team, visitwww.titlelaw.com.
