Robert “Bob” Newmark has been nominated as Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, to succeed current chair, Greg Yawitz, according to a news release issued from Federation. Newmark will be formally presented for election at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Board of Directors’ meeting in December and take office on Jan. 1.

Newmark is a partner at the global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, with a practice that focuses on business counseling, mergers and acquisitions, and estate and succession planning. He previously served as the firm’s St. Louis Managing Partner from 2011 to 2021.

Newmark has been involved with Federation since 1995 in a variety of roles. He is also a member of the National Executive Council of American Jewish Committee (AJC), and he has previously served as President of the St. Louis Regional Board. Newmark is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Newmark Institute for Human Relations with the Jewish Community Relations Council, an institute established by his parents, Barbara and Michael Newmark.

Bob Newmark also sits on the Regional Business Council, he serves on the Board of Concordance, and he is stepping down next month as the Vice Chair of the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. He is a past President of the National Conference of Community and Justice of Metropolitan St. Louis and a past President of the Princeton Club of St. Louis.

“I can think of no one better to lead the organization at this time than Bob,” said Brian Herstig, CEO and president of Federation. “His leadership, nationally through AJC, locally through the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation, and at Bryan Cave have shown how he can bring people together while also transforming and moving forward communities. Clearly the nominating group and Board felt the same. As we come out of COVID, what we need is someone who can bring us back together and help chart a new way forward. He will be able to build on the work and accomplishments Greg helped make happen, while honoring our communities past and legacy.”

Added Yawitz: “Having worked with Bob on numerous projects, committees, and task forces over the last few decades I know Bob will bring the experience, passion and his full dedication to the role of chair of the Federation. Bob is a thoughtful, compassionate and strategic thinker and leader I know will make great things happen for our community during his time as chair in partnership with Brian, the staff, our board and the other leaders in our community. I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

The Governance and Board Enrichment (GBE) committee recently made this recommendation to the full Board of Directors and are excited for the opportunities this nomination will have for the Board of Directors and Federation in the future.

When Newmark accepted this nomination, he told the Board, “I am truly honored to take on this role and I recognize the significant responsibility associated with building our community and caring for our extended Jewish family. I will work hard to ensure the continuation of our thriving and vibrant community.”

Newmark will be following in his father’s path and taking the Chair 30 years after Michael Newmark served as Board Chair of Federation.