The New Canaan Board of Realtors® has announced the election of Melissa Riley as president for the 2026–2027 term, recognizing her decades of leadership and contributions to the real estate profession across Connecticut and the Northeast. Riley currently serves as brokerage manager of the New Canaan office of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, where she leads one of the region’s most accomplished teams of real estate professionals. Over the course of a career spanning more than four decades, Riley has built a reputation as a strategic leader, mentor and advocate for professionalism within the real estate industry.
In her role as president of the New Canaan Board of Realtors®, Riley will oversee the board’s initiatives focused on education, industry advocacy and community engagement among local Realtors®. She will work closely with fellow board members and regional leaders to strengthen the organization’s role in supporting both real estate professionals and consumers throughout the New Canaan area.
“Real estate is ultimately about people, trust and community,” said Riley. “I’m honored to serve as president of the New Canaan Board of Realtors® and to support our members as they navigate an evolving marketplace while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and service.”
Throughout her career, Riley has held numerous leadership positions within the real estate industry, spanning brokerage management, operations, marketing, agent coaching and business development. Her work has included leadership roles with several major real estate organizations throughout Connecticut and New York. Riley’s industry involvement extends beyond the local level. She has been an active participant in initiatives with Connecticut Realtors®, serving on multiple committees at the state level. In addition to her industry leadership, Riley has long been committed to strengthening connections between Realtors® and the communities they serve, supporting charitable initiatives, educational programming and collaborative partnerships within New Canaan.
Colleagues describe Riley as a thoughtful strategist and relationship-driven leader whose experience across every facet of the real estate business has helped shape her approach to leadership. Riley’s presidency comes at a time of significant transformation in the real estate industry, with changes in technology, consumer expectations and industry regulations shaping the future of brokerage and professional practice.
“As our industry continues to evolve, it is more important than ever that Realtors® work together to support transparency, professionalism, and consumer trust,” Riley said. “I look forward to working with our members to ensure that the New Canaan Board remains a strong and forward-thinking organization that’s connected to our community.”
The New Canaan Board of Realtors® is a professional organization representing real estate professionals serving the New Canaan community and surrounding areas. The board promotes high standards of practice, professional education and community engagement among its members.
Founded in 1949, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty manages a $5.5 billion portfolio with more than 1,100 sales associates in 29 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. The company is one of the largest Sotheby’s International Realty(R) affiliates globally and the 34th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. Sotheby’s International Realty’s worldwide network includes 1,075 offices throughout 81 countries and territories on six continents.
