NewMark Merrill names VP of people operations

One of the largest operators of open-air community centers in California has promoted the caretaker of its own corporate community.

Lisa Polis, who has spent the last four years recruiting new staffers and supervising team development at Newmark Merrill Companies, has been named the company’s VP of people operations.

"Our people are the heartbeat of our company," said NewMark Merrill CEO Sandy Sigal. "From the crisis of COVID  to our rapid growth and evolution, Lisa has been an amazing leader and role model. Her desire to help every team member achieve their full potential and ensure the company’s culture and mission has been a real difference maker for everyone she interacts with.”

Polis spent 12 years as a human resources manager at PwC and the Laurel Hall School in North Hollywood before joining NewMark Merrill, whose corporate mission is to maintain strong relationships with its tenants, shoppers, and the communities in which its centers reside.

“COVID provided many challenges, and also provided many opportunities,” said Polis. “Being able to create new ways to communicate, to inspire, and to pursue our mission in different ways gave us a fresh perspective that changed people's lives for the better.”

Most of NewMark Merrill’s 90-plus centers are in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Washington State.