RECO’s Administrator and Acting CEO, Jean Lépine, announced important changes designed to drive change and rebuild trust in the regulator, including the establishment of eight ambitious transformation initiatives for 2026, a new corporate structure, and a new executive team.
“RECO will advance eight key initiatives that, taken together, will form a comprehensive plan that will drive the organization’s focus for 2026,” said Mr. Lépine.
Eight major transformation initiatives for 2026
- Culture renewal plan underpinned by a new performance management system
- Regulatory modernization plan
- Stakeholder engagement strategy reconnecting RECO to consumers and the professional sector on key topics like trust account oversight, annual financial filings, insurance program reforms, and education
- Digital and technology modernization roadmap and implementation plan
- Financial sustainability strategy based on cost recovery principles
- Renewed governance approach
- Public awareness campaign
- New strategic plan for 2027–2030
RECO will continue to provide regular and transparent updates on its progress on each of these initiatives.
“These initiatives represent significant and bold change, and it’s very clear that we need to prioritize meaningful and consistent engagement with our stakeholders, including the real estate services sector and consumers,” noted Mr. Lépine. “I have been impressed by the insights, ideas, and collaboration to date in some of my first sessions and look forward to continuing this work in the coming weeks and months.”
New organizational structure and executive team designed to deliver results
Achieving these eight ambitious goals for 2026 demands a highly focused structure and a new executive team.
To support this transformation, RECO will move forward with a renewed organizational structure that will help the organization deliver on its ambitious goals. This structure includes four key areas of accountability:
- Strategy & Corporate
- Regulatory Modernization
- People, Culture & Technology
- Finance and Risk
RECO has recruited new executives to lead key functions, reporting directly to the Administrator and Acting CEO, effective January 19, 2026:
Emilee Escobar – Chief Strategy & Corporate Officer
Emilee has led governance and corporate strategy at the Condominium Authority of Ontario since 2018, most recently as Chief Corporate Officer. A certified Governance Professional (GPC.D) with experience in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, she brings a collaborative approach that will strengthen good governance and advance consumer protection in support of the sector.
Samantha Pinto – Chief Regulatory Modernization Officer
With over 20 years in the public sector including 13 years at the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Samantha most recently served as Chief Regulatory Officer at Ontario One Call, where she led the organization’s transformation into a modern regulator, and drove regulatory innovation and compliance programs. Her experience will help RECO build a more agile, sector- and consumer-focused regulatory framework.
To be announced soon – Chief People, Culture & Technology Officer
RECO’s goal is to deliver a modern and technology-driven RECO. This is an essential area of focus to support a robust culture of integrity where the RECO team can deliver by harnessing the potential of its people and technology.
These executives—alongside Arshad Zaver, Acting Chief Financial Officer—will report directly to the Administrator and Acting CEO.
“I am delighted to have recruited great people who want to do great things to unlock RECO’s potential,” added Mr. Lépine. “As an executive team, we will hold ourselves accountable for delivering on this ambitious action plan. Together, we are driving change, earning trust, and setting the foundation for a stronger, more modern, mandate-focused organization. We will lead with action, not words.”
About the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO)
RECO is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1997 to regulate real estate agents and brokerages to ensure consumer protection in Ontario’s real estate services sector. RECO administers the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, 2002 (TRESA).
SOURCE RECO
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