New presidents at RE/MAX Canada, Sotheby’s; Real promotes finance VP 

Editor's note: As an industry with millions of agents and over 100,000 brokerage companies, new leaders rise to the top every day. Here we highlight executives and other notable leaders who've recently taken on, or stepped away from, roles that influence the residential real estate landscape. 

RE/MAX Canada appoints new president

RE/MAX Canada has announced that Don Kottick will be joining the company as its new president. Kottick, who previously served as the president and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty Canada, will begin his tenure on April 28.

Kottick's arrival comes nearly three months after RE/MAX Canada announced that former President Christopher Alexander was stepping down after almost four years in the position. RE/MAX Holdings CEO Erik Carlson has temporarily led operations in Canada since Alexander's departure in early March.

Kottick has over three decades of experience in Canadian real estate. In addition to providing direction and support for affiliates, a company press release said Kottick will work with RE/MAX Quebec leaders to continue growing the brand throughout Canada.

Carlson said he is "thrilled" that Kottick will be joining the team, adding that his "experience, strategic vision and proven success in growing major real estate brands will be invaluable as we continue to lead the way in Canadian market share."

Kottick cited Carlson's vision for the future as "something I deeply believe in and wanted to be a part of" — and a key factor in his decision to leave Sotheby's for RE/MAX.

"I am excited to join this exceptional team and contribute to the next chapter of growth, increased agent productivity, and innovation for REMAX Canada," Kottick said.

HomeServices exec moves to Sotheby's

While Kottick is saying farewell to Sotheby's, another brokerage leader is joining the global firm. Sotheby's International Realty announced earlier this week that Mary Lee Blaylock has been named president of brokerage.

In her new role, Blaylock will oversee 48 offices — and over 2,300 affiliated agents — across the U.S. Her focus will be on long-term growth as she identifies and implements strategies to boost the company's performance in local markets, the company noted in a news release.

Blaylock brings over three decades of industry experience, and was most recently senior vice president at HomeServices of America. She also previously served as the president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties after beginning her career at Edina Realty, a subsidiary of HomeServices.  

Her move marks the second major shakeup this month at HomeServices of America, where Chris Kelly, previously EVP, was promoted to president and CEO after Gino Blefari stepped down.

Blaylock said in a press release that she has felt admiration for Sotheby's throughout her career. "The brand has set the standard for client representation and marketing luxury homes worldwide," she said. "The reputation of the advisors affiliated with Sotheby's International Realty is peerless and I look forward to leveraging my expertise and passion to serve them."

Sotheby's President and CEO Philip White praised Blaylock's "extensive industry knowledge, proven leadership track record in leadership and genuine ability to build strong relationships," all of which he said "will undoubtedly drive our company-owned brokerage operations to new heights."

Real swaps in new CFO

The Real Brokerage has announced that Ravi Jani will replace Michelle Ressler as the company's chief financial officer. Jani, who joined Real in 2023, is stepping into his new role immediately following Ressler's termination.

Jani has a Wall Street background, spending over 15 years working in investor relations, capital markets and financial strategy before he was hired as Real's VP of investor relations and financial planning & analysis. Real has grown significantly since he joined, with its total agent tally more than doubling over the last couple of years. The company also celebrated its first billion-dollar revenue year in 2024.

Jani's "financial acumen, market insight, and collaborative approach have already made a meaningful impact on our organization," Real Chairman and CEO Tamir Poleg said in a news release. "As CFO, Ravi will be instrumental in driving our next chapter of growth, margin expansion and value creation."

Jani is Real's first new CFO in nearly five years. Ressler, who was appointed to the position in 2020, "was terminated based on the Company's opinion that she engaged in actions that violated Company policies," Real said in the release, adding that the firm does not believe her actions affected financial statements.