Board of Directors
Directors
Cain Cooke - Chair
Cain is a dynamic, energetic leader and executive strategist with an insatiable enthusiasm for business building through the creation of high performance teams. Transformation and growth have been the hallmark of his 18 years' leading multimillion-dollar household brands in South Australia and nationally, including Discovery Parks, Specsavers, Cibo Espresso, Boost Juice & Century 21 Australia. A believer in delivery through collaborative partnerships, Cain brings complex stakeholder management and membership-based service experience across the spectrum of SME’s, major corporates, financial institutions and private equity investment firms. Named in South Australia’s inaugural InDaily 40 Under 40 Business Leaders, Cain is the Chief Operating Officer of ICT professional services firm LogicPlus.
Cathie Brown
Cathie is currently the CEO of the Leaders Institute of South Australia. Cathie is an experienced executive and non-executive director and has developed and executed strategy, led major organisational change and performance optimisation projects, marketed organisations and brokered agreements both nationally and internationally.
She is an experienced Board Member and Board Chair with Directorships either presently or previously held by Cathie including, The Leadership Network Board, SATAC Board, University of South Australia, Master of Business Administration Advisory Group and Co-chair of the Flinders University/University of South Australia/Adelaide University and TAFE collaboration committee.
Cathie has a Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts.
James Black
James is currently CEO and Director of Perks Accountants and Wealth Advisors. Currently a director of Regional Development Australia, Yorke and Mid North and Glenelg Community Hospital and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A highly driven and results-focused executive with proven strategy and execution capability having delivered successful outcomes across technology start-ups, large proprietary and ASX listed companies, James has a demonstrated history of working collaboratively with boards and leadership teams to drive optimal business performance.
He has an outstanding ability to lead people, build and manage complex relationships, communicate effectively and drive results working with dispersed teams. With qualifications of a Bachelor of Commerce and Agricultural business, James imparts essential knowledge and provides operational accountability, cultivating engaged and collaborative teams that transcend performance benchmarks. James has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Agricultural Business and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
David Colovic
David is currently a Principal at LK Law (formerly Lipman Karas).
With a career spanning over 30 years, David is a prominent Australian legal practitioner in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Insolvency and has been involved in an array of significant Australian insolvency administrations and litigation. He has been lead adviser to several major Australian financial institutions and various other non-bank funders on property related enforcement matters and legal adviser to various significant real estate practices over his career.
David has previously practiced law at Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Solicitor), Thomsons (Solicitor and Partner), Kelly & Co (Partner) and HWL Ebsworth (Partner). He is an experienced Director currently holding Not for Profit Board positions as well as being Chair of the Football Federation SA Disciplinary Tribunal. He is a member of the Law Society of South Australia Committee, Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) Committee, Law Council of Australia and the Law Council Insolvency and Reconstruction Committee. Australian Legal Business has rated David in the top 100 lawyers in Australia. David has a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Economics and has completed the Real Estate Practice Course.
Marc Taintey
Marc is currently the CEO of the Fairmont Group.
Marc is an experienced company director and executive with 20 plus years’ experience leading, transforming, and growing multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary national and international businesses. His experience also includes both executive and director roles in both real estate (Harcourts International Limited) and Deloitte (Associate Director) demonstrating a wealth of experience relevant to REISA
A strong people person with a natural ability to lead and build trusting relationships, Marc has worked with varying governance models spanning sole owner entrepreneurial visionaries, NFP, advisory and boards, developing strategy, ensuring adequate governance and risk management, and delivering results.
Marc is qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With proven experience as a CEO / COO / CFO in large private and public organisations, his career achievements demonstrate a track record of development and execution of strategy to drive sustainable returns for stakeholders.
Directors who are Members of the Company
Emma Slape
Emma is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Turner Real Estate. As CEO, Emma oversees business operations including finance and risk management and a team of 70 employees. An experienced Board Director Emma supports an open and transparent membership organisation that captures the wide interests of the real estate industry.
Emma understands the challenges in real estate through her current management role and having formerly held a number of positions at REISA with her last role of General Manager in 2013. In all roles, Emma builds and fosters strong networks. Being an engaged business leader is important to Emma and this has led to many achievements within the Turner brand, including acquisitions, re-branding, growth and leading a team through a time of change and transformation. Emma’s stability, commitment and ability to turn an idea into reality through engagement and hard-work is a key strength.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Matthew Smith
Matt is currently the Managing Director of Klemich Real Estate. Matt is a Director of Klemich Property Management and a number of private companies.
One of South Australia’s premier residential sales agents having been awarded the prestigious REISA Salesperson of the Year on three occasions, Matt offers over 17 years of industry experience, which has seen him sell well over 1,000 homes. Further, Matt has received numerous accolades as one of the state’s top auctioneers.
Matt is the past President of the State’s peak professional association, the Society of Auctioneers and Appraisers, and remains a Board Advisor.
As Managing Director of Klemich Real Estate he leads the businesses and the team. Matt brings a deep understanding of the key needs and issues that relate to real estate agencies.
Suzannah Toop
Suzannah is currently the CEO and Director of Toop+Toop Property Management.
Suzannah is an experienced Board Director and CEO. Formerly CEO of Toop+Toop Real Estate, Suzannah brings both proven strategic and entrepreneurship skillsto the REISA board through her executive experience and further, having been the founder of two successful start-ups; Virtual Agent and Lululiv. Suzannah has played a key role in Toop+Toop’s innovation credentials and enjoysthinking creatively to solve problems while working out new and better ways to add value to clients.
Suzannah is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Bond University with a Bachelor or Laws and Commerce.
This expertise combined with her leadership experience has taught her to think logically, consider all viewpoints and take decisive action. Suzannah’s lived experience in real estate, coupled with a mindset of continuous improvement, creativity and learning, allows Suzannah to make a valuable contribution to the board.
