Veteran Association Leader to Provide Interim Leadership as OREA Continues Search for Permanent CEO.
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has announced that Diane Brisebois has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer on a temporary basis, while current CEO Cathy Polan is on a leave of absence.
The appointment was announced by OREA’s Board of Directors, which says it will work closely with Brisebois to ensure continuity of leadership, maintain organizational stability and continue the important work underway across the Association while the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer proceeds.
Brisebois brings an exceptional record of leadership to OREA, with more than 40 years of experience in association management and executive leadership. She most recently served as President and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), where she spent 30 years leading one of Canada’s most prominent national industry associations.
During her tenure at RCC, Brisebois established herself as a visionary association leader, recognized for empowering teams, fostering strong employee relations and strategically guiding organizations through transformational growth, while keeping member value at the forefront.
According to the OREA Board of Directors:
“Diane joins us with an exceptional track record. She is an award-winning association CEO with over 40 years experience, most recently as the President and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), and has dynamic executive leadership, governance, advocacy, and stakeholder relations experience from national industry associations. In her 30 years at RCC, Diane established herself as a visionary leader – renowned for empowering teams, fostering strong employee relations, and strategically guiding organizations through transformational growth while keeping member value at the absolute forefront.”
The Board added that it will work closely with Brisebois during the transition to ensure stability and continuity across the organization.
A Significant Leadership Role in Ontario Real Estate
OREA is one of the most significant organizations representing the real estate profession in Ontario. The Association advocates on behalf of REALTORS® and works on issues affecting real estate professionals, consumers, housing and homeownership across the province.
Through its advocacy, professional initiatives, member programs, education and industry engagement, OREA provides a collective voice for Ontario’s REALTORS® and participates in important conversations surrounding the future of housing and the real estate profession.
OREA’s role extends beyond representing the profession itself. The organization is involved in public policy and advocacy initiatives connected to housing, homeownership and the broader real estate economy, making its leadership particularly important at a time of continued change within Ontario’s housing landscape.
OREA also delivers programs and initiatives designed to support REALTORS® in their professional lives, including member services and wellness initiatives.
The organization has also continued to convene industry stakeholders through conferences, events and initiatives designed to connect professionals and address issues facing the sector.
An Experienced Leader for a Period of Transition
Brisebois’ appointment brings decades of experience in association governance, advocacy, stakeholder relations and organizational leadership to OREA at an important point in the organization’s evolution.
Her extensive experience leading a national industry association provides OREA with an executive leader familiar with the complexities of representing a large professional membership, working with stakeholders and navigating an environment where public policy, business interests and member priorities intersect.
The Board’s decision provides continuity while OREA undertakes the process of identifying its next permanent CEO.
For Ontario’s real estate community, the appointment represents an interim leadership transition at an organization that plays an important role in representing REALTORS® and advocating on issues that affect the profession and the future of housing in the province.
OREA will continue its work under Brisebois’ interim leadership while the search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer proceeds.
About the Ontario Real Estate Association
The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) represents REALTORS® across Ontario and advocates on behalf of the real estate profession. The Association works to advance the interests of its members while engaging in public policy, housing and homeownership discussions that affect consumers and communities throughout the province.
OREA also provides professional resources, education, programs and initiatives intended to support REALTORS® and strengthen the profession.
Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA)
SOURCE, OREA
To learn more, visit OREA ONTARIO REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
