Partner to Head Jewish Federation of St. Louis Board

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) Partner Bob Newmark has been nominated as board chair of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Bob 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, 2023. 

Bob’s practice at BCLP focuses on business counseling, mergers and acquisitions, and estate and succession planning. Bob previously served as the firm’s St. Louis office partner in charge from 2011 to 2021.

Among his other civic commitments, Bob has been involved with the Jewish Federation of St. Louis since 1995 in a variety of roles. He is also a member of the national Executive Council of American Jewish Committee (AJC), and he previously served as president of the St. Louis Regional Board. Bob 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 sits on the Regional Business Council, he serves on the Board of Concordance, and he is stepping down this June as the vice chair of the St. Louis Public Schools Foundation. He is past president of the National Conference of Community and Justice of Metropolitan St. Louis and past president of the Princeton Club of St. Louis.

Founded in 1901, Jewish Federation of St. Louis is the Jewish community’s central philanthropic, planning and community-building organization. Bob, who succeeds current chair Greg Yawitz, will be following in his father’s path and taking the chair 30 years after Michael Newmark, Senior Counsel at BCLP, served as board chair of Federation.

“I can think of no one better to lead the organization at this time than Bob. 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,” said Brian Herstig, president & CEO of Federation. “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.”

“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,” said Greg Yawitz, current board chair of 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.”