Mustafa Abbasi/LinkedIn

 

Mustafa Abbasi is no longer president of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, just eight months after his appointment was announced in February.

The company confirmed his departure this week in a statement to Real Estate Magazine, but did not provide an explanation for his exit.

“A search for a president is commencing,” the company said.

Abbasi declined to comment when contacted by REM.

 

A short tenure following years in real estate technology

 

Before joining Sotheby’s, Abbasi held senior leadership positions in Canada’s real estate and financial services sectors, with a particular focus on technology-driven businesses.

He was the founding president of Zolo, a technology-focused real estate platform that offered full brokerage services through offices and agents across Canada.

Abbasi later oversaw Zolo’s sale to Questrade Financial Group and went on to serve as president and chief operating officer of Zolo Ventures, where he was responsible for platform development and operational strategy.

Abbasi succeeded Effi Barak, who had served as interim president since April 2025.

 

Leadership team remains in place

 

In its statement, Sotheby’s confirmed that Tara Brown continues to serve as CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada.

The company also identified its remaining executive leadership team, including Evan Shandler as chief operating officer, Elaine Hung as chief marketing officer and Daniel Shields as general counsel and chief people officer.

Sotheby’s said its managing brokers continue to lead operations in their respective markets across the country.

Those include Kevin O’Toole, Doug McGowan and Nathan Flavel in British Columbia; Kim Stubbs in Alberta; Maureen O’Neill, Dianne Usher, Ken Mazurek, Erin Henry and David Reid in Ontario; Georges Gaucher and Michel Valade in Quebec; and Scott Bryant in Atlantic Canada.