OREA Appoints New Interim CEO

The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has announced that Tim Hudak, who joined OREA in 2017, made the decision not to continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer of OREA. Over the past seven years, Hudak has led a series of initiatives including modernizing OREA’s operations, serving Members and Member Boards with secure, efficient and resilient systems and programs, and laying the foundation for continued innovation in the real estate sector.

The OREA Board of Directors feels that this is an opportune moment to seek Hudak’s successor in advance of the next phase of modernization. Hudak’s leadership term was effective until August 2, 2024. The Board has initiated a comprehensive internal and external search process to identify Hudak’s successor, who will lead the Association through the next phase of innovation in real estate.

Until a permanent successor has been named, the Board has appointed Sonia Richards, Chief of Staff & Board Strategy, as interim CEO, effective August 12, 2024.

“On behalf of the OREA Board of Directors, and all of our employees, Members, Member Boards and stakeholders, I want to thank Tim for his many contributions to OREA throughout his leadership over the past seven years,” said Rick Kedzior, President of the OREA Board of Directors. “Tim’s leadership has been critical to the progress OREA has made in streamlining Ontario’s real estate sector and positioning the Association for the next phase in its advancement. As the Board progresses in its search for Tim’s successor, I am confident that Sonia’s experience as a seasoned industry leader, and her substantial expertise in leading critical operational aspects of our organization, will serve OREA well in her expanded role as interim CEO. Sonia and I will work closely with support from our exceptional leadership team. I look forward to working with the Board during the candidate search process to find our next successor and support the next phase of real estate innovation in Ontario.”

In her role as interim CEO, Sonia Richards will be responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the Association, in addition to her responsibilities as Chief of Staff & Board Strategy. These functions will include providing fiscal oversight, planning and analysis of OREA business activities as well as program management, Member Board strategy, Member relations, corporate strategy and business planning functions. Beyond her extensive expertise, Richards is a respected leader, mentor and organizational champion.

Richards will report to the President of the OREA Board of Directors, and continue to be supported by the full leadership and operational team, including Alison Berne, General Counsel & Privacy Officer, Ruben Thanaruban, Vice President of Operations, Luigi Favaro, Vice President of Partnerships, Blue Knox, Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications, Wajeeha Hussain, Head of Human Resources, and Amar Dhotar, Head of Finance.