Top row: Ron McIntosh, Alicia Omand, Cliff Rego, Tom Karadza. Bottom row: Jenna Wlodarek, Kim Harmatiuk, Lana Young, Cherie Hennessey and Zdenka Brnjas, Steve Morris, Warren Suissa and Robin Tiller.

 

Each month, REM shares brokerage expansions and conversions, leadership appointments and other key industry moves. Have an announcement to share? Email your news to [email protected] by the 26th of each month, and don’t forget to include a photo!

 

Leadership appointments and hiring announcements 

 

Royal LePage’s Alicia Omand has a new role

 

Alicia Omand, a familiar face in the Royal LePage network, has started a new role this month. 

According to LinkedIn, she has moved from the head office, where she was the director of franchise growth, to the role of chief growth officer of Royal LePage First Contact and Royal LePage In Touch Realty. 

Omand’s history with Royal LePage dates back to 2018, starting out as director of marketing. 

 

Expansions and conversions

 

Commercial broker Warren Suissa joins Keller Williams Prestige

 

Quebec commercial real estate broker Warren Suissa has joined Keller Williams Prestige, a KW-affiliated brokerage in Montreal, with plans to expand his commercial real estate team across the province.

Suissa founded Suissa Realty Group, which specializes in commercial real estate, with a focus on industrial, office and investment properties in Greater Montreal and other Quebec markets.

“I joined KW because of their innovative tools and exceptional support for my team, from training in the most advanced technologies to marketing resources,” Suissa said.

He said the move will allow him to grow Suissa Realty Group as a distinct brand, build a team and provide mentorship.

Suissa holds the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) designation and serves as vice-president of the organization’s Canada East Chapter. His practice works with owners, investors, developers and occupiers on acquisitions, dispositions and leasing.

 

Corcoran Horizon Realty opens new Oakville office

 

Corcoran Horizon Realty has expanded its Ontario footprint with a new office in Oakville.

The Corcoran Group franchisee’s new office, at 418 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit 102, will be led by CEO Cliff Rego alongside Tom Karadza, who will serve as branch managing partner. Karadza launched his first real estate brokerage in 2008 after working in corporate sales management.

“Oakville has a distinct character, and I’m thrilled to lead this office as we bring an elevated, personalized approach for local buyers and sellers,” Karadza said.

The office expands the brokerage’s presence into Halton Region. From Oakville, the team will also serve Burlington, Milton and Mississauga.

Corcoran Horizon Realty’s other Ontario locations are in Kitchener, Cambridge, Hamilton, Toronto and Port Severn. The brokerage says the new location continues its expansion across markets ranging from urban centres to cottage country.

 

Industry updates

 

KIC Realty merges with AI tech company

 

KIC Realty has announced a merger with Brewpilot, an artificial intelligence and technology company, bringing engineering and technology development in-house at the brokerage.

KIC, which has more than 150 Realtors across Alberta, B.C. and Ontario, says it plans to develop tools alongside its agents and staff, with an initial focus on reducing repetitive work and supporting transactions, compliance and administrative tasks.

“This is really about building a better brokerage. AI is part of the story, but it isn’t the whole story,” said KIC Realty president and co-founder Ron McIntosh. “Technology should support the people in the business, not replace what makes the business valuable in the first place.”

KIC’s ownership model gives agents opportunities to participate in the ownership and growth of the company, including the technology being developed. The brokerage says it will initially build the technology for its own operations, with the potential to eventually support other independent brokerages.

Awards and milestones

 

Exit Realty marks 30 years in business

Exit Realty Corp. International is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades since the company was founded by Steve Morris in 1996.

The real estate franchisor sold its first franchise and paid its first residual in 1997. Exit says it has paid more than $665 million in residual income to associates on top of their commissions and $1.6 million to beneficiaries of associates who have died.

The company also says more than $8 million has been allocated to charitable causes through its Spirit of Exit program, supporting initiatives across Canada and the United States.

“For 30 years, Exit has demonstrated that success in real estate can reach far beyond the transaction,” Morris, the company’s founder and chairman, said.

 

Good Works

 

Royal LePage motorcycle ride raises record $230,000 for shelters

 

Royal LePage riders have raised more than $230,000 for women’s shelters and intimate partner violence prevention programs after completing a five-day motorcycle ride through Romania.

The Transylvania Ride for Shelter drew 40 participants from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. Riders travelled through the southern Carpathian Mountains, including Romania’s Transfagarasan road and Transalpina Pass.

Each participant covered their own travel expenses and was required to raise at least $3,000 for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. Funds will support each rider’s local women’s shelter as well as national violence prevention programs.

“The Ride for Shelter has grown to become an important, inclusive national event,” said Royal LePage CEO Phil Soper, noting more than a third of this year’s riders were women.

The international series began in 2022 with a ride through the Himalayas, followed by Colombia in 2024. The three events have now raised more than $539,000.

 

CREB Realtor Community Foundation awards $240,000 to Calgary non-profits

 

The CREB Realtor Community Foundation has awarded $240,000 in grants to five Calgary non-profits for repairs and renovations to housing and shelter spaces.

The 2026 Community Grants will support projects at Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society, Hull Services, Inn from the Cold, The Mustard Seed and the Society for Autism Support and Services.

Projects include renovating an apartment at Discovery House’s second-stage shelter, replacing the roof at Hull Services’ River Lodge for youth and renovating bathrooms in 10 affordable housing units at Inn from the Cold’s Journey House.

Funding will also replace flooring in two apartments housing seven women at The Mustard Seed’s transitional housing facility and renovate three bathrooms used by children and youth in the Society for Autism Support and Services’ residential program.

Since its creation in 1987, the foundation has provided more than $10.4 million to non-profit organizations in Calgary and the surrounding area.

 

LSTAR grants $80,000 to 11 community organizations

 

The London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR) is distributing nearly $80,000 to 11 community organizations through the 2026 Ontario Realtors Care Foundation grant program.

Recipients include organizations providing food, housing, crisis support and other services, including Anova, Ark Aid Mission, Meals on Wheels London, Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre, The Unity Project, Women’s Rural Resource Centre and Youth Opportunities Unlimited.

“With economic uncertainty and inflation, charitable organizations are needed more than ever to help serve individuals and families,” said LSTAR 2026 chair Robin Tiller.

Other recipients are 519 Pursuit Umbrella Relief Programs, Inn Out of the Cold St. Thomas-Elgin, London Basket Brigade and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul London.

Since 1992, LSTAR says it has distributed more than $1.8 million in grants to charitable organizations across the region, supported by its Realtor members, fundraising events, sponsors, business partners and the Ontario Realtors Care Foundation.

 

Fraser Valley Realtors foundation launches 50/50 draw for at-risk youth

 

The Fraser Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation is raising money for at-risk youth through its Opening Doors for Youth 50/50 Draw, which runs until Sept. 30.

Half of the money raised will fund bursaries and grants for youth across the Fraser Valley, supporting access to education, training, personal development and community-based opportunities. The other half of the jackpot will go to the draw winner.

“This 50/50 draw is a simple way for people to make a meaningful difference,” said Scott McGihon, chair of the foundation’s fundraising committee. “With each ticket purchase, supporters are helping create opportunities for youth who may be facing barriers, while also giving themselves a chance to win.”

The foundation says the fundraiser comes as charities and community organizations face increased demand for support alongside a more challenging fundraising environment.