1929 – 2026
James H. Rosenfield, Sr.
Founding Board Member.
Chair of the Board.
Chairman Emeritus.
Friend.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Jim Rosenfield, a founding board member of Reisenbach Philanthropies, our Chair for many years, and our Chairman Emeritus.
Jim helped build this organization from the beginning. He gave his time, judgment, and friendship to our mission of making New York City safer and stronger while honoring the memory of John Reisenbach. Everyone at Reisenbach Philanthropies, past and present, is better for having known him.
A Life in Media
Jim spent two decades at CBS, rising from account executive in television network sales to President of the CBS Television Network and Executive Vice President of the CBS Broadcast Group. In that role he was responsible for CBS Television Network, CBS News, CBS Entertainment, and CBS Sports during one of the most consequential eras in American television, the years of…
All in the Family
60 Minutes
M*A*S*H
He was never comfortable being called "one of the suits." He was engaged with, and respected by, the creative and news talent who made CBS a cultural powerhouse, and counted Walter Cronkite, Morley Safer, Dan Rather, Lesley Stahl, and Mike Wallace among his friends as well as his colleagues. William S. Paley, CBS's legendary founder, became an important mentor.
After retiring from CBS in 1985, Jim served as Chairman and CEO of John Blair Communications and later founded JHR & Associates, advising media, communications, and entertainment companies. He served as President of the International Radio & Television Society, as Chairman of the Advertising Council, and on the boards of Internews International and Salon Media, among others. He was a lifetime Fellow of the International Council of the Television Academy and received an honorary doctorate from St. John's University.
His Place at Reisenbach Philanthropies
In 2023, at our annual benefit, we were proud to present Jim with the first-ever Reisenbach Founders Award. It was our way of recognizing what he had given us. It could never fully measure it.
Jim's connection to our work went well beyond a title. He was a founding board member, guided the organization as Chair of our board for many years, and continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus. He believed in the mission and in the people carrying it out.
Timeline
Jim's connection to our work went well beyond a title. He was a founding board member, guided the organization as Chair of our board for many years, and continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus. He believed in the mission and in the people carrying it out.
- 1952
Graduates from Dartmouth College, where he hosted his own student radio program, "Rhodes Record Rack"
- 1960s
Joins CBS as an account executive in television network sales
- 1980
Named President of the CBS Television Network
- 1985
Retires from CBS as Executive Vice President of the CBS Broadcast Group
- 1991
Becomes a founding board member of Reisenbach Philanthropies
- Early 2000s
Serves as Chair of the board
- [Year]
Named Chairman Emeritus
- 2023
Receives the first Reisenbach Founders Award at our benefit
Beyond the Boardroom
Jim was born in Boston and attended the Roxbury Latin School, where he later served as an alumni trustee. Above all, he cherished his family. He delighted in telling them stories from the "Mad Men" era of media and advertising, including evenings at New York's 21 Club, where executives from all three networks might be found at the same bar, competitors by day and members of the same small, colorful world after hours.
He is survived by his devoted partner, Charlotte Rosenblatt; his daughter, Laurie Rosenfield, and son-in-law, Peter Falk; his son, Jim Rosenfield Jr., and his wife, Dana Conroy; his grandchildren, Jamie, Kitt, Kristen, Kerrin, and Kendall; five great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Clare Rosenfield; and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Stenbuck Rosenfield, and his brother, Dr. Allan Rosenfield.
Service Details
Wednesday, September 30
11:00 AM
Riverside Memorial Chapel
180 W 76th Street
New York, NY
Give in Jim's Memory
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in James Rosenfield's memory to Reisenbach Philanthropies.
Every gift made in Jim's name supports our work across our three pillars:
- Youth and Education
- Housing and Community
- Justice and Safety
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