ArtsWestchester Names Michael Madonia as Board President

ArtsWestchester, the area’s leading arts advocate, grant maker and nonprofit cultural connector is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Madonia of Ardsley, NY as President of its Board of Directors.

Madonia succeeds Marie Smith and will lead the board in advancing the organization’s mission to strengthen the cultural sector and to provide opportunities for everyone to experience, create and connect through the arts. He has served on the organization’s board since 2019, served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the organization, bringing extensive experience in finance, investment management, strategic planning, and community engagement to this new role.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike into this leadership position,” said ArtsWestchester CEO Kathleen Reckling. “His passion for the arts, commitment to community impact, and thoughtful leadership have already made a tremendous difference to our organization. We look forward to working together as we continue expanding access to arts experiences for people of all ages, positioning ArtsWestchester for the future.”

As Board President, Madonia will oversee board governance, support organizational strategy, and help strengthen partnerships that advance the organization’s long-term sustainability and growth.

“I am honored to serve as Board President during this exciting time for ArtsWestchester,” said Madonia. “The arts play a vital role in our region’s economy and in building vibrant, connected communities. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated Board, staff, artists and supporters to expand access to arts and culture, modernize ArtsWestchester’s historic building and create meaningful new opportunities for artistic expression and cultural connection.”

In addition to serving on the board, Madonia is a Senior Managing Director at Peapack Private Bank & Trust, based in the Bank’s Rye and Park Avenue offices. A middle-market banker with 24 years of experience, he has served as a top-performing relationship manager, team leader, and division leader. Madonia is responsible for growing the Bank’s commercial lending and deposit relationships throughout the New York metropolitan area. He serves as a single point of contact for his commercial and private banking clients, connecting them with the Bank’s commercial lending, treasury management, investment banking and wealth management capabilities.

Madonia joined Peapack Private from Amalgamated Bank in 2025, where he served as Senior Vice President and Director of Business Banking and was responsible for building the Bank’s business banking segment. Previously, Madonia was Senior Vice President and Business Banking Team Leader at M&T Bank, where he built and led a team of business bankers serving Westchester and Fairfield counties.

Madonia earned an MBA in Financial Management from Pace University’s Lubin School of Business and a Bachelor of Science from the Jones School of Business at SUNY Geneseo.

ArtsWestchester also extends its appreciation to outgoing Board President Marie Smith for her leadership and service. During her tenure, ArtsWestchester achieved significant milestones, including completing a Strategic Plan and securing a $5 million capital investment from New York State.

About ArtsWestchester:
ArtsWestchester is the largest private arts council in New York State and one of the largest in the country. For more than 60 years, ArtsWestchester has connected residents to the arts through a wide range of programs, exhibitions, and public art initiatives. ArtsWestchester serves as a powerful economic and cultural engine for Westchester County and beyond. For more information, visit artsw.org.

Official Press Release: artswestchester.org