An internal team of experienced leaders will guide the day-to-day operations of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis (Federation) until it names a successor for its departing President and CEO Andrew Rehfeld, Board Chairman Gerry Greiman has announced.

Rehfeld will be leaving Federation at the end of March 2019 to become president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. The interim plan will take effect upon Rehfeld’s departure.

The team will consist of Chief Operating Officer Don Hannon; Senior Director of Community Engagement Karen Sher; and Chief Philanthropy Officer Michael Oberlander. Hannon will have the functional authority of chief executive officer, while retaining his COO title.

Greiman said, “While we fully recognize the role that Andrew’s vision and leadership have played in Federation’s success over the past several years, much of that success also is due to the work of the Federation’s other professional staff members. We have complete confidence in our outstanding professional team. The guiding principle during the transition will be to keep things moving on our present path and trajectory, with as little disruption as possible.”

Greiman reaffirmed that he and the Federation Board have started a national search process for Rehfeld’s successor.

“I feel fortunate that I can leave the organization in such capable hands,” Rehfeld said.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis is the community’s central philanthropic, planning, and community-building organization. Federation supports more than 90 agencies, programs, and services in St. Louis and around the world to ensure a thriving Jewish community, respond to emergencies, and care for our most vulnerable.