White Rose Settlement Services, a locally owned and operated full-service settlement company, has been an integral part of the Pennsylvania and Maryland real estate landscape since its start in July 1996.

“I have a passion for this industry,” says Shonna Cardello. “I try to build leadership within my staff and empower them to make decisions. I ask everyone who works for me to ‘think like a buyer.’ What would you want in their position? We deliver a customer experience defined by our commitment to exceed expectations.”

White Rose Settlement Services offers a range of services, including residential and commercial settlements, title searches, and title insurance. Whether serving Realtors, lenders, attorneys, or home buyers, Shonna and her team provide the experience and service needed to ensure a seamless settlement process.

A graduate of West York Area High School and Hagerstown Business College, Shonna's journey into the title industry was unexpected.

“I studied as a paralegal and began working with a worldwide firm in 1990,” Shonna says. “We did lobbying work, and while I enjoyed the work, it wasn’t my passion.”  

“I swore I would never do real estate. I didn’t care what ‘riparian rights’ were, I was NOT doing it,” she laughs. “Well, never say never.” Shonna learned real estate while working at a law firm for three years before transferring to a title company. “A year and a half later, I was offered a position with a startup title company. I am very loyal to my employers, and it took me a long time to say yes. I was 25 years old, and they offered me ownership, but that wasn’t a deciding factor for me. I questioned myself, ‘What if I fail?’ But failure is never an option. I opened White Rose on July 17, 1996. More than 27 years later, I’m still here.

Shonna is a licensed title agent and holds designations such as Certified Land Title Professional and National Title Professional awarded by the American Land Title Association (ALTA).

When asked how she defines success for herself and her company, Shonna talks about her ability to make her own way, provide for herself and her co-workers, and live life on her terms. “I take leadership very seriously. I can tell you the names of my co-workers’ spouses, their kids, and grandkids. I have a strong sense of responsibility for their entire family, providing for them.”

Shonna is equally invested in cultivating an environment of continuous learning and development and is dedicated to keeping White Rose Settlement at the forefront of technology. This involves adopting new software to continuously improve efficiency and maintaining a social media presence to stay connected with the industry and consumers.

“We use social media to educate consumers on the topic of title insurance. Title insurance is often the last thing people think about when buying a home. People understand what it is to obtain a mortgage, undergo a home inspection, and acquire homeowners insurance. Title insurance is equally as important, but many homeowers either don’t understand or underestimate the crucial role it plays in protecting their investment. For a one-time fee, you have peace of mind that people won’t claim ownership of your home.”

With a team of 16 staff members, White Rose Settlement is committed to connecting with diverse communities through bilingual services. And White Rose is the area’s largest, non-affiliated title company.

“My day-to-day motivation comes from supporting my clients,” Shonna says. "Nothing is quite like the 'thank you' from a first-time home buyer. We just had a first-time home buyer in her 70s. I've seen buyers with tears in their eyes, telling me they never thought they'd be able to buy a home. Helping people purchase their first home – there's nothing like it."

Shonna's love for York County and the small-town atmosphere reflects her decision to locate the business in Central PA. Demonstrating a deep commitment to both her local community and real estate industry, she actively volunteers and serves in various roles and responsibilities.

Shonna holds the position of TIPAC Board of Director for ALTA and serves as the Pennsylvania Trustee. Additionally, she is an active member of the Title Action Network (TAN) and Government Affairs committees for ALTA. Shonna is a Life Director of the Pennsylvania Builders Association and currently serves as the President of the York Builders Association. Notably, she served as President during the Charter Year of the Women's Council of the York County Builders Association.

Shonna's commitment extends to various committees for the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties (RAYAC) and the Pennsylvania Land Title Association. She has also contributed as a past Board Member of the PA Association of Mortgage Brokers and the Out Door Country Club. Shonna finds fulfillment in volunteer work, having dedicated her time to the Children’s Home of York, Junior Achievement, and her church.

Outside the real estate realm, Shonna channels her love of travel and cultural exploration into her leadership style. As an independent travel agent with a passion for travel and experiencing diverse cultures, Shonna has visited 41 countries and recently returned from safari in Tanzania. “The culture of the tribes and the people is amazing. I love Italy and England. I’ve been to Antarctica and Greenland. Greenland was wonderful. People live in small settlements, with the majority of inhabitants all living along the coasts.” Shonna says her cultural learning through travel not only equips her with the knowledge and skills needed to lead diverse teams but also gives her an appreciation for the importance of an inclusive environment.

Shonna’s varied interests extend to fostering White German Shepherd dogs, with 16 foster dogs in five years. “Seven years ago, my dog, Sugar died. I was heartbroken, but not ready to have another. I now foster dogs with Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue. My family and several friends are also involved in the rescue.”

Shonna balances her busy life by reading, working, traveling, and recently taking up golf.

Reflecting on work-life balance, Shonna acknowledges that she doesn't fully achieve it, but she emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries. She values the lessons learned from a business coach about maintaining personal boundaries.

Looking ahead, Shonna anticipates integrating new technologies and foresees a real estate market rebound, predicting 2024 to be a “growth year.“

“White Rose Settlement Services will continue to thrive as a leading, non-affiliated title company. We  take pride in providing exceptional service to clients while making a positive impact on the community and the lives of those we serve.”