Jewish Federation: Interim team of 3 will lead when Rehfeld leaves CEO post

STAFF REPORT

Jewish Federation of St. Louis has named a team to lead the organization until it names a successor for its departing President and CEO Andrew Rehfeld, Board Chairman Gerry Greiman announced Monday. 

Rehfeld will leave the 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, 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.

“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,” said Greiman. “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.

Federation is the St. Louis Jewish community’s central philanthropic, planning and community-building organization. It supports more than 90 agencies, programs and services in St. Louis and around the world.