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.

In three words, how would others describe your personal brand—and where do those traits show up most in your work?

In three words I think others would describe my personal brand as: Relationship-driven, trustworthy, and intentional.

These traits show up in my work in a number of ways.  As a realtor, trust and relationships are at the core of my work. I make it a priority to ensure my clients understand that the foundation of our relationship is built on trust. I take that responsibility seriously and value the level of mutual trust between myself, my clients, and my colleagues. A big part of why I do what I do is the relationships I get to build, it genuinely energizes me. I enjoy making connections, finding common ground, and creating meaningful relationships with the people I work with.

Intentionality also plays a major role in how I operate. I try to be thoughtful in my communication, aware of my impact, and focused on continuous growth. Whether I’m working with clients or collaborating with others, I aim to be purposeful in my actions and consistent in how I show up.

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

At the core of what differentiates Fesette Realty from other local brokerages is our strong emphasis on teamwork. 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.

Where do you invest your time outside of work, and what motivates your commitment to those efforts?

Outside of work, I invest most of my time in three areas: staying active, community involvement, and spending time with family and friends.

I prioritize fitness because it keeps me disciplined, energized, and focused. Movement is a big part of how I maintain balance, it helps me reset and consistently show up as my best self for my clients, colleagues, and the people around me.

My involvement in the community is important to me because I genuinely value connection and contributing to something larger than myself. Whether it’s serving on a local board, attending CVPH Foundation events, or supporting local businesses, I take pride in being actively engaged in the Plattsburgh community.

Lastly, my family and friends are at the center of my life. Living in a small town has reinforced how important those relationships are, and I’m motivated by the support and loyalty we have for one another. I make it a priority to show up for them in the same way they consistently show up for me.

Who has most influenced your leadership style—and what specific lesson from them still shapes how you lead today?

I’m sure this answer will come as no surprise, but my dad, Neil Fesette, has had the greatest influence on my leadership style. I always knew he was a strong leader, through sports, coaching, and mentoring, but I didn’t fully appreciate how he led in a professional setting until I joined the brokerage. Seeing that firsthand made me incredibly proud.

He treats his colleagues, clients, and partners with a level of respect, integrity, and compassion that truly stands out. The biggest lesson I’ve taken from him is that how you treat people matters just as much as the results you produce. He leads by example, and I strive to do the same, by being genuine, doing the right thing even when it’s not the easiest path, and staying true to who I am.

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.

What’s something about you that would surprise people—and what does it reveal about how you think or operate?

Something that might surprise people is that there isn’t much that surprises them once they get to know me. I tend to be a pretty open book, and I’m very consistent in how I show up, personally and professionally.

I think that reflects how I operate. I value authenticity and believe that people should know exactly who they’re working with. I show up the same way with clients, colleagues, and in my personal life. That consistency helps build trust, and it’s something I take pride in.

What is one lesson your career has taught you that you had to learn 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’s something I still actively work on.

Over time, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries and standing up for myself, while still maintaining the level of care and awareness that comes naturally to me. It’s made me more confident, more resilient, and ultimately stronger in both my personal and professional life.

What is the biggest professional or personal risk you’ve taken—and would you make the same decision again? Why or why not?

I would say the biggest risk I’ve taken was both professional and personal, deciding to join Fesette Realty. Professionally, I was stepping into a position where there was no guaranteed income, which felt like a significant risk, especially having a degree that could have led me down a more traditional, salaried path.

On a personal level, it also meant betting on myself and making a decision about the kind of life I wanted to build. I had to choose between staying in my hometown, where I had strong roots and a great opportunity, or leaving to explore something new.

After being in the business for over three years, I would absolutely make the same decision again. I’ve grown more than I ever could have imagined, I work alongside incredible people, and I’ve been able to build a life and career in a place that means a lot to me.

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

I think one area where the North Country is getting it right is in its strong sense of community. There’s a real level of support, connection, and collaboration here, and people genuinely want to see each other succeed. A lot of local business owners are willing to mentor and support the next generation, which is something that makes this area really special.

Where I think we need to evolve is in retaining young talent. I’ve watched a lot of my peers leave the area to pursue opportunities elsewhere because they feel like Plattsburgh doesn’t offer enough. While we may not be able to compete with larger cities in every way, that doesn’t mean there aren’t great opportunities here.

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’s one idea, belief, or change you hope to see shape the future of leadership in our region?

One belief I hope shapes the future of leadership in our region is that change should not be viewed as a negative, but as something necessary for growth. I think we’re at a turning point, with many long-standing leaders beginning to transition out and a new generation stepping in. That shift can feel uncomfortable, especially when there are systems and norms that have been in place for decades.

However, 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 that change successfully.

There will be challenges along the way, but with the right foundation, I believe growth, not failure, is the outcome.