Charles S. Birenbaum ’79 Named Chair of Oberlin’s Board of Trustees

Charles S. “Chuck” Birenbaum, a 1979 graduate of Oberlin College and longtime member of its board of trustees, has been named chair of the Oberlin board. He will assume leadership on July 1.

Birenbaum brings to this pivotal role decades of legal experience and a profound understanding of Oberlin’s mission, which has been shaped by his years as a student, parent, trustee, and longtime advocate for students. His contributions have led directly to a host of co-curricular innovations, fundraising events, student dialogues, grants, and vital networking opportunities.

Birenbaum is an attorney who focuses his practice on labor and employment law at Greenberg Traurig LLP in San Francisco, where he chairs the Northern California offices. His legal career spans more than four decades, with extensive experience in a wide range of litigation. He earned a degree in Government with honors at Oberlin and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center in 1982.

For years, Birenbaum has given back to the community through his work with and service on the board of the Justice & Diversity Center, a leader in providing access to volunteer legal services across California.

“I am excited to welcome Chuck Birenbaum to his new role with the board, and I look forward to the good work we will do together,” says Carmen Twillie Ambar, President of Oberlin College and Conservatory.

“Chuck has provided steady leadership to Oberlin over many years, and some of our institution’s most significant accomplishments have benefited from his expertise, determination, generosity, and irrepressible love of Oberlin.”

Since joining Oberlin’s board in 2014, Birenbaum has emerged as a driving force for fostering innovation and student success. His current roles as vice chair (since July 2024) and chair of multiple key committees—including the Advancement Committee, Nominations Subcommittee, and Ad Hoc Board Planning Committee—reflect his deep commitment to Oberlin’s governance and strategic development.

Over the past two decades, Birenbaum’s vision has fundamentally reshaped the Oberlin experience. He co-founded the entrepreneurial accelerator LaunchU, which initiated a comprehensive effort to integrate business education across all disciplines. The program has since evolved into today’s Innovation Studio, which ensures that every Oberlin student, regardless of their field of study, graduates with practical business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking skills. Through this initiative, students have secured their first research grants, built connections with industry leaders, and transformed innovative ideas into viable ventures.

Through Oberlin’s Ashby Business Scholars program, Birenbaum has opened his law firm to provide a training ground for students, facilitating direct exposure to professional environments and meaningful mentorship opportunities. Ashby Scholars exemplifies Birenbaum’s belief in the power of experiential learning and professional networking to shape future careers.

The William and Helen Birenbaum Innovation and Performance Space, dedicated in 2017 and named in honor of Birenbaum’s parents, stands as a physical embodiment of Birenbaum’s vision for modern education. Located on the lower level of the Hotel at Oberlin, this versatile venue has become a vibrant hub for cultural and intellectual exchange, hosting everything from conservatory concerts and panel discussions to entrepreneurial workshops and community gatherings. In the coming years, it will be an essential venue for Oberlin’s new Music Theater program, which launches in fall 2025 in an adjacent space in the hotel.