After being at the helm of RE/MAX Professionals for the past 38 years, Stan Newman has handed over the reins to Donnette Odidison. The Buffalo Place location opened in 2004, amalgamating the remaining two of six offices under Newman’s ownership. It currently has 65 sales associates, including six full-time commercial agents and four teams, as well as nine in-house staff. Odidison has worked as Broker/Manager at the office for the past two years. Newman will stay on until early 2023, providing assistance and consultation, while Odidison will lead the day-to-day operations as CEO. The move comes as no surprise: “I was very impressed with her qualities from the moment I interviewed [Odidison],” said Newman. “One of Donnette’s goals in life was that she wanted to own a brokerage. Her desire to do that, and my desire to have an exit plan, melded together nicely,” he continued. “This was the plan right from day one.” A life-long learner, Odidison earned a Business Management degree from Success College (now CDI). She has completed countless leadership and professional development courses since. While growing up, her mother left her government job to launch a wedding planning business. “She’s been an entrepreneur ever since,” she said, “and that's where I got my love for being my own boss. I went into real estate because it gave me the chance to be that, as well as to help people achieve their goals. It also incorporated law, which I always had a passion for. It seemed like a no-brainer for me.” When asked about her vision going forward, Odidison is committed to continued growth and expansion while fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion. She also stated: “I want to help the agents to achieve their goals, as well as to become the best versions of themselves. I want to help my staff identify and develop their strengths. We spend the bulk of our time at work; it’s important to me that staff and agents alike are able to love that they do. I want this to be a brokerage that truly allows agents to do what they do best, while we offer them a true full service that helps them do just that.” RE/MAX Professionals truly is a full-service brokerage. Its marketing department has three graphic designers, a full print shop, and an on-site concierge service that offers any agent the benefits of a personal assistant. The office also houses a gym, in-house legal counsel, as well as an insurance company, and offers a variety of services such as accounting, mentoring, educational courses, ongoing training, and more. “I want to build on the strong foundation Stan created when he brought RE/MAX to Winnipeg back in 1983,” says Odidison. “It is my goal to continue that while taking us into a new era.”