Abigail Black Elbaum Named Co-Chair of Columbia University Board of Trustees
The Columbia University Board of Trustees today announced the election of Abigail Black Elbaum (CC’92, BUS’94) as chair of the Board of Trustees. Elbaum succeeds David Greenwald (LAW’83), who is stepping down after three years of leading the board. Jeh Johnson (LAW’82), who stepped in as co-chair in May 2025, will continue as co-chair through the end of 2026.
Elbaum has been a trustee since 2016. She currently serves on the Executive, Trusteeship, and Health Sciences Committees and is chair of the Physical Assets Committee. Throughout her tenure, she has played a central role in the board’s work across governance, strategic planning, and the medical center, including serving on the Audit and Academic Affairs Committees. Elbaum has also served on the Columbia College Alumni Association, the College’s Board of Visitors, and, in 2002, received the Columbia College Young Alumni Achievement Award. Additionally, she is the former chair of the Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee, and, in 2015, received the John Jay Award at Columbia College for distinguished professional achievement.
Elbaum is co-founder and principal of Ogden CAP Properties, a real estate investment and development firm. She serves on the boards of the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (CID), and the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID), where she is on the executive committee. Elbaum is also a governor of the Real Estate Board of New York, a Columbia-appointed trustee at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and vice president and secretary of the board of Temple Emanu-El of the City of New York.
“As a long-serving member of the Board of Trustees, Abby holds the trust, confidence, and respect of every board member,” said Johnson. “She brings thoughtful and incisive perspectives, deep institutional knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to Columbia and its mission. I look forward to partnering with her. I also want to thank David for his exceptional leadership during a challenging period for the institution. He has led the board with integrity, and his steady counsel over the past three years has been invaluable to me, our fellow trustees, and the University administration.”
“At a moment when higher education faces both extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges, I am delighted to welcome Abby as co-chair of the Board of Trustees,” said Columbia University President Jennifer L. Mnookin. “I look forward to partnering with Abby, Jeh, and the entire board as we work together to advance our academic mission and ensure the long-term success of this extraordinary institution. I also want to thank David for his service and significant contributions to the University over the last three years. I am grateful for his leadership, for the care he has invested in this institution, and for his continuing service on the board.”
Greenwald was elected co-chair of the Board of Trustees in 2023 and helped guide Columbia through one of the most challenging periods in its history, including multiple presidential transitions, significant external pressures facing higher education, and the search that resulted in the appointment of President Mnookin. Under his leadership, the board worked to preserve Columbia’s academic and operational independence while positioning the University for long-term success.