Real Estate Institute of Victoria CEO Kelly Ryan announces shock departure

Kelly Ryan has stepped aside from her role as Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive a year after taking on the role.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Kelly Ryan has left the property industry group’s top job almost exactly a year after stepping into the role.

The former Netball Australia boss joined the REIV as the group’s first female CEO in May, 2024.

Ms Ryan had also previously held roles leading operations for customer experiences at Marvel Stadium and had been chief marketing officer at the Western Bulldogs and helped set up the side’s AFLW team.

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“It has been a difficult decision to make as I have been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented people across the industry,” Ms Ryan said.

“However, the desire to pursue my own business interests has been an ambition for some time and the opportunity has now arisen to take advantage of this moment. I would like to thank the Board, staff and broader industry for supporting me across my time.”

In a statement, the REIV said Ms Ryan had led with “exceptional dedication, professionalism, and clarity of purpose”.

The REIV bought 617 Victoria St, Abbotsford, as their new headquarters early in 2024.

They acknowledged her work in renewing their status as a Registered Training Organisation, helping to deliver a new Constitution and the relocation of their headquarters from Camberwell to Abbotsford.

Just prior to Ms Ryan’s appointment, the Institute bought a $10m new home in Abbotsford.

It followed the $26m sale of their home of more than three decades at 335 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell, in 2023.

Industry sources have indicated the industry body was grappling with Ms Ryan’s departure earlier this week.

The ex-chief executive initially indicated to journalists she would be attending a state budget lock up on behalf of the Institute this week — but did not attend.

REIV president Jacob Caine has been announced as the Institute’s interim chief executive.

Reaction commentary wound up coming from REIV president Jacob Caine.

Mr Caine has been appointed as interim chief executive and is taking a leave of absence from its Board to do so.

The Institute’s Vice President Sam Hatzistamatis will become president, having first been appointed to the Board in 2022.

The REIV will seek a new chief executive in a nationwide hunt they say will “commence shortly”.

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