Wendy ethen, ESQ.

President & Visionary

Miss Positivity

Wendy is the president and visionary of Guaranty Commercial Title as well as an attorney and a Certified Real Property Law Specialist. Wendy launched the company in 2004 with a desire to run a title firm that demanded more from its team of professionals. Since its beginnings, she has worked tirelessly to develop Minneapolis’ premier title firm and provide thoughtful, personalized solutions to Guaranty Commercial’s amazing clients. She has built a team where all attorneys are closers, closers are engaged from the start and the process from the beginning to the end of a transaction is relationship driven.

Kristy Lieblein, ESQ.

 Senior Vice President

GCT Row Captain

 As Senior Vice President, Kristy helps lead the GuaranTEAM’s internal operations and overall strategy.  She works closely with team members to ensure we are doing our best to meet our clients’ needs during the entirety of the transaction. As Integrator, Kristy also ensures internal communications flow between our departments and that our processes are relevant, effective, and efficient.  As a member of our Leadership Team, she keeps us rowing in the same direction by making sure we are on track to reach all our short term and long-term goals and holds us accountable to our weekly company performance metrics. 

Cindy Flynn

SVP People & Operations

Guaranty’s Dr. Phil

Cindy is the GuaranTEAM SVP People & Operations, leading our Human Resources department and daily operations. She loves that Guaranty is a Traction-run company with a work culture built around our core values. Cindy’s past experience in Operations, Mortgage, and Management give her the keen ability to help guide the strategic mission of the GuaranTEAM while maintaining and elevating the infectious culture at Guaranty. 

Beth Sheehan, ESQ.

VP Examination & Underwriting

Nature Lover

Beth is an examiner and underwriter for Guaranty Commercial. Our customers benefit from her expertise and knowledge as a Minnesota Real Property Specialist and former practicing real estate attorney. In her role, Beth strives to provide our clients with practical title solutions and guides our closing team with daily underwriting advice and counsel. As an examiner, Beth works with Guaranty’s closing team to ensure all title concerns are identified and resolved.

Kathleen Geherin

VP Sales National Account Manager

Relationship Master

Kathleen focuses on business development, connecting with market segments to highlight the Guaranty Commercial team and our strong reputation in the marketplace. She loves that the GuaranTEAM shares her passion for the commercial real estate industry and delivering exceptional client experiences. She is also a proud member of MNCREW. Not a Minnesota native, Kathleen has come to appreciate the green spaces and outdoor activities the state has to offer. 

Matthew Foli, ESQ.

Senior Examiner & Counsel

Wellness Guru

Matthew is a key member of our exam team with decades of legal and title experience with a special focus on Torrens property. If you have a Torrens problem, Matthew can probably tell you the answer. In his examination, he focuses on highlighting solutions to title defects that help our clients clear the way to closing. Matthew also is the GuaranTEAM’s resident yoga instructor and loves to bring his passion for wellness into the workplace. The next time you talk to Matthew ask him how he ends all GuaranTEAM meetings with two claps and a [fill in the blank]!

Julie Givens

Commercial Post-Closing Officer

Private Eye Givens

Julie plays a key role in our transactions by preparing and sending insurance policies to the owner and lender, along with recorded documents to put a final stamp on each project. She loves working at a boutique title company because its size allows us to work together more closely and efficiently for our customers. A favorite project has been the East Town Apartments, which has helped people obtain affordable housing. Julie has nearly thirty years of experience in the commercial and residential arenas of title insurance. 

Chris Ann Schneider

Disbursing Officer

Dog Momma Extraordinaire

Chris has been working in the real estate construction industry for over 30 years in various accounting positions ranging from Senior Accountant to Controller. Her experience in this industry has given her an in-depth understanding of complicated commercial construction, residential construction and specialty construction contracting transactions.

Pam Lienemann

Commercial Closer

K-9 Wrangler

Pam joined Guaranty Commercial Title in 2021. She enjoys the fact that each commercial closing is unique and views every file as an intricate challenge just waiting to be solved. She values her GuaranTEAM colleagues, and how we all work together to customize the closing experience for our clients. To her, the knowledge base at Guaranty Commercial Title is unmatched. 

John Meyer, Esq.

Commercial Attorney Closer

Resident Tank Driver

John focuses on coordinating and completing real estate closings, using his legal expertise and managing each file like his own. He loves the satisfaction of seeing the GuaranTEAM’s work impact the local community and the economy. John is the Vice President of the Metro Independent Business Alliance and the President of the Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans and often works with Veteran causes in our broader community. 

Sue Gliva

Controller

Number Ninja

Sue manages Guaranty Commercial’s financial activity. As a former business owner and certified CPA, she brings decades of leadership and experience to the role. Sue loves the camaraderie among her teammates, and says our competitive advantage is that we provide the extra service and details necessary to deliver an outstanding client experience. Sue serves her local community as an elected City Council member and a former local school board member. 

Molly Breunig

Disbursing Agent

Spreadsheet Slayer

Molly focuses on the review and disbursement of funds for Guaranty Commercial. She loves being part of an all woman disbursing team that cares deeply about their clients. The GuaranTEAM’s “no problem is too hard to solve” mentality and willingness to dig in and come up with creative solutions for our clients is what makes us stand out, according to Molly. She enjoys giving back to the community through her work and by volunteering as a youth sports coach, making an impact on kids who may not have positive role models or stability in their lives. 

Jen Godbout

Commercial Closer

High Maintenance Specialist

As one of our closers, Jen works directly with borrowers, buyers and sellers to close their commercial real estate transactions. Jen is always willing to go the extra mile to get a deal across the finish line. Having been in the title industry for over 15 years, she knows what it takes! She thrives off the GuaranTEAM’s can-do attitude and team mentality. Jen loves living in Minnesota as much as she enjoys working here. 

Tiffany Johnson

Disbursing Officer

The Wisconsonite

As part of our disbursing team, Tiffany reviews monthly construction draws and supporting documentation from owners, developers, and contractors to ensure loan and equity funds are disbursed promptly. She approaches every file with care and close attention to detail. Tiffany loves being part of a successful woman-owned and operated company and believes no deal is too big or too complex for the GuaranTEAM to handle.

Sandi Pink

Commercial Recording Officer

The Real Housewife of GCT

Sandi brings over 25 years of title experience to her role as an Assistant Closer. Sandi appreciates that Guaranty Commercial Title is a small, nimble company with big aspirations, and she feels that her values and goals are aligned. When it comes to the community, Minneapolis sports games are where it’s at! Sandi loves attending Timberwolves and Twins games. She is also a big supporter of the Minnesota charity foundation, Feed My Starving Children. 

Tina Kelly

Disbursing Agent

Mrs. Crafty

As a disbursing agent on the GuaranTEAM, Tina focuses on reviewing and entering financial draws for all of our projects. She drafts checks and lien waivers and releases checks and wires once we have bank approval. Tina comes to Guaranty Commercial with over 20 years of experience in various roles within the industry. She started her career at a residential title company before transitioning to a development company and eventually moving to the banking side of things as a mortgage closer. 

Sandra Livers

Commercial Assistant Closer

Sun Seeking Traveler

Sandra is an Assistant Closer who brings over 12 years of experience in commercial title to our team. Throughout her title career, she has held various positions, including sales associate, escrow assistant, title coordinator, examiner and underwriting assistant. Sandra values Guaranty Commercial’s positive work environment and a strong desire to make clients happy. Everyone on the team truly enjoys helping each other and focuses on providing a high level of customer service. 

Becky Von Bargen

Title Examiner

Basset Mom

Becky brings over 10 years of title examination experience to the GuaranTEAM, serving as a Title Examiner where she reviews property records, prepares Title Commitments and works alongside our clients to resolve title issues that arise. Her expertise spans multiple states, making her a versatile resource for the wide range of commercial transactions our team takes on — from smaller deals to complex, large-scale affordable housing projects. A licensed abstractor and title producer, Becky takes pride in the relationships she has built with her colleagues and believes Guaranty Commercial’s willingness to focus on commercial transactions of all sizes is what truly sets the company apart. 

Kristen Brown

Commercial Assistant Closer

ViQueen of GCT

Kristen is a Commercial Assistant Closer, supporting our closers in facilitating smooth commercial transactions from start to finish. She loves working on the significant transactions Guaranty Commercial Title takes on, whether that means notable dollar amounts or projects that make a meaningful impact on the community. Outside of work, Kristen loves cheering on all the Minnesota sports teams, especially the Vikings, Wild and Timberwolves. In the summer you can find her camping with family and friends, and when she’s in the city, she enjoys attending a sporting event or hanging out on a patio with friends.

Jamie Simmons

Commercial Assistant Closer

Fast Lane Multitasker

Jamie joins the GuaranTEAM as a Commercial Assistant Closer, bringing 20+ years of closing experience, a detail-driven mindset and a passion for helping coordinate the many moving pieces involved in commercial transactions. She thrives in fast-paced environments and loves being part of deals that make a real impact, believing Guaranty Commercial’s commitment to relationships and collaborative approach is what keeps things moving smoothly. 

Jeff Priesmeyer

Office Coordinator

The Dodgeball Fanatic

As Office Coordinator at Guaranty Commercial, Jeff keeps things running smoothly by maintaining the office, receiving documents, providing marketing insights and coordinating team events, all while pitching in wherever he’s needed. With about 11 years of office management experience in real estate, he brings a big-picture mindset and sharp attention to detail that allows him to support every department. Jeff loves that everyone on the GuaranTEAM stays positive and is always willing to help, and believes the team’s deep expertise within their commercial niche is what sets the company apart. 

Jackie Deelaney

Commercial Closer

The Lone Star Chef

Jackie is a Commercial Closer on the Development Team, bringing her love of processes, strong organizational skills and sharp attention to detail to the GuaranTEAM and creating efficient workflows to keep projects on track. She appreciates how supportive the team is and believes the company stands apart through its leadership and development teams, who have deep roots in Minneapolis and beyond, are innovative and know how and when to pivot. 

Lei Bornales

Executive Assistant

The Colorful Creative

Lei serves as Executive Assistant to Wendy Ethen, President of Guaranty Commercial, keeping her on track with day-to-day tasks, coordinating her schedule and supporting the GuaranTEAM and clients behind the scenes. With 10+ years of experience in human resources and events coordination, Lei is also a Certified Human Resource Professional, bringing a well-rounded skill set to her role. Based in the Philippines, she loves that Guaranty Commercial trusts her to do her best work from the other side of the world, and believes the company’s ability to build real, genuine relationships with clients is what sets it apart. 

Stacy Gore

VP Strategic Initiatives

Carolina Girl

As VP of Strategic Initiatives, Stacy brings expertise in software administration, automated workflows and process optimization to oversee system improvements and cross-department initiatives that keep Guaranty Commercial Title running efficiently. She loves working with the GuaranTEAM because the work matters and the team is committed to building meaningful relationships over chasing numbers — something she believes truly sets the company apart. 

Salima Umatiya

VP Guaranty Way

Flo Rida

One of her most exciting initiatives has been leading the adoption of AI within the title industry, helping teams work smarter and create better client experiences. As VP of Guaranty Way and Workflow Support, Salima drives operational excellence, process improvement, and technology adoption across Guaranty Commercial Title. With more than a decade of experience running her own title company before joining the GuaranTEAM, she brings a unique combination of industry expertise and a passion for creating efficient, scalable workflows. She loves being part of an EOS-driven company where collaboration and accountability are baked into the culture, and believes Guaranty Commercial’s greatest competitive advantage is its attorney-driven team, whose legal knowledge and business acumen deliver superior title products and client service. 

Kathy Malz

Disbursing Agent

Furry Friend Enthusiast

As Disbursing Agent, Kathy manages the construction disbursing process, bringing more than 15 years of title experience along with a knack for organization and building strong working relationships. Some of her most memorable work has involved disbursing funds for multiple Amazon facilities built across the US, watching the scale of investment unfold with each draw. She loves the warm, honest feel of Guaranty and believes the team’s dedication to relationships keeps clients coming back.

Molly Schneider

Title Production Assistant

Thrill Seeker

As Title Production Assistant, Molly opens files and sees them through to post-closing, bringing eight years of multi-state title experience to every transaction. She loves the fun environment and excellent coworkers at Guaranty and believes the company’s specialized focus on commercial, multi-state deals keeps Guaranty ahead of the competition.