Greg Yawitz has been nominated as Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, to succeed current Chair, Gerry Greiman. Yawitz will be formally presented for election at Federation’s annual meeting and installation of officers in September.

Yawitz is the owner of Keat Properties, LLC specializing in commercial real estate brokerage and development. He is very involved in the St. Louis Jewish community as well as the broader St. Louis community, serving currently as the Federation’s vice chair for planning and allocations and board chair of Autism Speaks St. Louis.  Yawitz is also co-chair, with 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. Yawitz previously served as the president of 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.

“Over the last 15 years Greg has been a passionate advocate of the work of the Jewish Federation, including in young leadership in local and North American roles,” said Rehfeld.  “He has been a Federation board member and has prior experience as vice chair of strategic planning for the Federation. In his current role as vice chair of planning and 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 the St. Louis Jewish Federation.  The Federation will be in very good hands under Greg’s leadership when he starts in the fall.”

Added Greiman: “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. I am confident Greg will be a dedicated, insightful and inspiring leader, and will do a great job as Federation’s next board chair.” 

When Yawitz accepted this nomination, he told the nominating committee, “I am humbled and honored by this nomination. 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.