Greg Yawitz has been nominated as Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, to succeed current Chair, Gerry Greiman. Greg will be formally presented for election at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers in September 2019.

Greg is the owner of Keat Properties, LLC, specializing in commercial real estate brokerage and development. Greg is very involved in the St. Louis Jewish community as well as the broader St. Louis community, serving currently as Federation’s Vice Chair for Planning & Allocations, and Board Chair of Autism Speaks St. Louis. Greg is also co-chair, with Gerry Greiman, of the 13-member search committee tasked with conducting a national search to find candidates to be the next Federation CEO, succeeding Andrew Rehfeld, who will be leaving at the end of March 2019. Greg previously served as the President of Congregation Shaare Emeth and was a member of the 2008 Class of JFNA’s National Young Leadership Cabinet and a member of the 2015 St. Louis Wexner Heritage Cohort.

Andrew Rehfeld said, “over the last 15 years Greg has been a passionate advocate of the work of Federation, including in young leadership in local and North American roles. He has been a Federation board member and has prior experience as Vice Chair of Strategic Planning for Federation. In his current role as Vice Chair of Planning & Allocations, Greg has led the implementation of our 2017 Strategic Plan, creating a new process to engage volunteers in more meaningful roles, putting “needs first” as we raise resources, and implementing an impact mode of accountability for our allocations. Additionally, Greg’s service marks a generational change of leadership, as he becomes the first member of Gen X (born 1965-1981) to lead Federation. Federation will be in very good hands under Greg’s leadership when he starts in the fall.”

“Greg’s work in the many leadership roles he has held in the St. Louis Jewish community and the broader community demonstrates his outstanding leadership qualities,” said Gerry Greiman, current Board Chair. “I am confident Greg will be a dedicated, insightful, and inspiring leader, and will do a great job as Federation’s next Board Chair,” Greiman added.

The Board Development & Nominating Committee recently made this announcement and is excited about what Greg’s leadership will mean for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and its Board of Directors in the future. “We are grateful that Greg has accepted our nomination and agreed to take on the huge responsibilities of the largest leadership role at the Federation,” said Harvey Wallace, Immediate Past Board Chair and Chair of the Nomination Committee. “I have worked with Greg in the past and know he will bring great attributes to the work we do.”

When Yawitz accepted this nomination, he told the Nominating Committee, “I am humbled and honored by this nomination.” He continued, “I look forward to the opportunities to continue the work of my predecessors and see what great work we can do in the Jewish community.”

Yawitz resides in Olivette with his wife, Julie, and daughters Alyson and Kaitlyn.