News & Stories

Save Venice is delighted to announce Charles Tolbert as the new President of the Board of Directors. Charles succeeds Tina Walls, who served her three-year term during a time of growth and change for the organization, greatly benefiting Save Venice. Tina remains on the board as a Vice President, which continues to be led by Chairman Frederick Ilchman.

Charles joined the Board of Directors in 2014. As the Legal Committee Chairman since 2017 and a Vice President of Save Venice since 2021, Charles has provided invaluable guidance that has aided the organization in navigating legal and strategic affairs. He also serves on the Executive and Strategic Planning Committees.

Charles has been involved with Save Venice for over a decade and has funded restoration projects such as Boccaccio Boccaccino’s Virgin and Child at the Palazzo Ducale and the rebinding of 40 books in the Marciana Library, regularly attending special events in New York, Venice, and California (invariably dressed fashionably on theme). Throughout his involvement, Charles has championed Save Venice and meaningfully expanded the board and donor circle by leveraging his network.

Professionally, Charles is a corporate and intellectual property attorney in New York and New Jersey handling legal matters for entertainment companies, publishers, and creative executives. In addition to private law practice, Charles has managed intellectual property rights and global partnerships for Pearson for over twenty years, most notably the Dick and Jane and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer properties. He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the American Theatre Wing (Tony Awards).

Charles received his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and French, from American University in Washington DC and a Certificat, from the Université de Paris – Sorbonne.