Rylee Fesette

Relationship-Driven. Trustworthy. Intentional.

Current Employer & Job Title: Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Fesette Realty

Age: 25

Hometown: Plattsburgh, NY

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Finance

Equal parts relationship-builder, community cheerleader, fitness enthusiast, and unapologetically proud Plattsburgh advocate, Fesette brings a modern energy to an industry built almost entirely on trust. While Fesette may technically be early in her career, she already thinks like someone playing the long game.

What aspect of your organization’s culture do you protect or promote most fiercely—and how have you influenced it?

Collaboration and celebrating each other’s successes are foundational to our culture, and it’s something I actively promote and protect. Having grown up playing sports, being a team player comes naturally to me. I’ve always believed that success is more meaningful when it’s shared, and I make a conscious effort to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.

Whether it’s offering support, sharing ideas, or acknowledging wins, big or small, I strive to foster an environment where everyone feels encouraged and valued. By promoting collaboration over competition, I help reinforce a culture where agents genuinely support one another, which ultimately strengthens our team and enhances the experience we provide to our clients.

What is a lesson you learned the hard way and how has it changed you?

One of the biggest lessons my career has taught me is the importance of having thick skin. As someone who is naturally empathetic, I had to learn quickly that not everyone is mindful of how their words or actions affect others. That was a difficult adjustment for me, and it is something I still actively work on.

Where are you making your greatest impact right now—in your organization, industry, or community—and how do you measure it?

Right now, I believe I am making the greatest impact within my organization. The real estate profession has changed significantly over the last 5-10 years and adapting to that change has been imperative to staying relevant and delivering results for our clients. I’ve played a role in helping ensure Fesette Realty remains modern, innovative, and forward-thinking, while still staying grounded in our core values: honesty, integrity, and results.

I measure that impact through the strength of our client relationships, repeat business and referrals, and the trust we continue to build within our community.

The North Country’s “Gen IQ” reflects how well we lead across generations. Where are we getting it right and where do we need to evolve?

Where I think the North Country is getting it right is in its strong sense of community. There is a real level of support, connection and collaboration here, but I don’t think we always do the best job of highlighting that. Looking ahead, I can see succession planning becoming a challenge, as many business owners will eventually transition out without a strong pipeline of young professionals ready to step in.

To improve this, I think we need to be more intentional about increasing exposure, especially for students, recent graduates and young professionals. Creating stronger connections between them and local businesses will be key to keeping talent here and continuing to grow the community.

What change do you hope to see that will shape the future leaders in our region?

Change is inevitable and I believe it can lead to meaningful progress if it’s approached the right way. If we stay grounded in strong core values — trust, integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to see others succeed — we can navigate change successfully.