(Connect has handed out its third-annual Canadian Women in Real Estate Awards. This story profiles Ruth Fischer, president of Savills’ Canadian business.)

By Amy Wolff Sorter

Ruth Fischer is Savills’ President of Canada, overseeing offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. She leads Canadian operations by spearheading the firm’s growth and enhancing its service lines.

From the moment Fischer joined Savills, she hit the ground running by identifying areas of opportunity and executing a clear, strategic vision. Within a short period, she transformed the company’s service-line structure in Montreal, expanding beyond industrial brokerage to build out a high-performing office and capital markets platform.

During her time at CBRE in Toronto, Fischer was considered for a leadership role in Montréal. She hired a professor to refresh her high school French to a level suitable for business, which would enable her to be a top contender even among other candidates who had spent their careers in the bilingual city.

Additionally, while at CBRE, she identified a gap in supporting brokers with a dedicated Occupier Services business line. She developed a vision and plan for the service line. She executed it by creating a new offering that focused on managing client portfolios and aligning them with broader business objectives.

These are just some of the reasons why Connect Canada CRE honoured Ruth Fischer with a 2025 Canadian Women in Real Estate Award. The awards celebrate the achievements and inspirational stories of women who have reached respected leadership positions and taken on mentorship roles.

Read about all of the 2025 CWIRE award recipients.