OREA taps former RCC chief as acting CEO

The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has appointed an acting chief executive officer to lead the association while interim CEO Cathy Polan remains on a leave of absence.

Diane Brisebois has been named to the role on a temporary basis. She spent more than 30 years as president and CEO of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), retiring from that role in 2025, according to RCC’s website.

An award-winning association CEO with 40+ years of experience

OREA President Kim Fairley confirmed the news on Monday, as the search for a permanent CEO continues.

“In this acting role, Ms. Brisebois will lead OREA’s efforts to advocate on behalf of nearly 100,000 Realtor members and support them in their mission to build stronger communities across Ontario,” said Fairley.

Fairley described Brisebois as an award-winning association CEO with more than 40 years of experience, “empowering teams, fostering strong employee relations,  and strategically guiding organizations through transformational growth while  keeping member value at the absolute forefront.”

OREA’s president added that Brisebois is “bringing her dynamic executive leadership, governance, advocacy and stakeholder relations experience from national industry associations to the role, during Interim CEO Cathy Polan’s leave of absence.”

Ongoing search for a permanent CEO

Brisebois’s appointment adds a third name to what has become a stretch of leadership changes at OREA. Luigi Favaro was appointed CEO in July 2025 after 17 years with the association, but took a leave of absence that November and later departed permanently. Polan, a Belleville, Ont.-based real estate agent who had stepped down as OREA president, then took over as interim CEO before beginning her own leave of absence, first reported in July.

The board is continuing the search for a permanent chief executive with leadership advisory firm Odgers. That process launched in late June, with a July 24 application deadline.

“OREA looks forward to closely working with Ms. Brisebois to ensure continuity of leadership and organizational stability as we continue the important work of advocating for higher professional standards in real estate and fighting to keep the dream of homeownership alive,” said Fairley.

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