Charlene Obernauer

About Charlene Obernauer

I\'m an organizer turned non-profit executive director. My passion is strategically growing innovative programs with coalitions to build healthy and sustainable social justice organizations. I work with core partners on organizational development (and worker-friendly HR), and diverse fundraising. I also run various policy campaigns to win city and state victories for New York\'s workers and work on their implementation (via education and training) so that everyday workers\' lives are truly impacted. I helped write legislation like the Nail Salon Workers\' Bill of Rights (to mandate various workers\' rights in nail salons), Carlos\' Law (to increase penalties against criminal violators of construction safety laws), and NY HERO (an infectious disease standard for workers impacted by COVID). I also co-wrote legislation for a temperature standard in New York State (The TEMP Bill), which is an active advocacy campaign. With my organizer/ED background, I coach orgs and execs on what I know to help build a stronger, more inclusive social justice and workers\' rights movement.

Experience

1. Coach

   Groundswell Fund

   Feb 2020 — Present

   Provide strategic guidance, direction, and executive coaching for senior managers of various non-profit organizations with a focus on integrated voter engagement.

Education

• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

  Undergraduate Semester Abroad, Spanish Language and Literature

• Stony Brook University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

• The Graduate Center, City University of New York

  Master of Liberal Studies - M.A.