Peter J. Madonia, an advisor and confidant to three New York City mayors, joined the Rockefeller Foundation in 2006 as Chief Operating Officer. One of the nation’s largest and oldest private foundations, established in 1913 by John D. Rockefeller, Sr., The Rockefeller Foundation works globally to promote the well-being of humanity. Madonia provides advice and counsel to Judith Rodin, its President and the Board, in addition to leadership and strategic direction for programmatic, financial and operational functions at the Foundation.
As COO, and a member of the Executive Team, Madonia leads portfolio management, providing strategic direction for its programmatic work and is responsible for overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of the foundation’s varied program work. In addition, he is responsible for managing the allocation of staff and financial resources across the Foundation. He oversees a range of teams responsible for monitoring and evaluation, human and financial resources, information technology, facilities and office services.
Prior to joining the Rockefeller Foundation, Madonia served as Chief of Staff to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a position he was appointed to after serving as senior advisor to the Bloomberg for Mayor Campaign. As Chief of Staff, he reported directly to the Mayor and was responsible for overseeing day-to-day-operations of most of the city agencies responsible for delivering municipal services. He also oversaw all aspects of the Mayor’s Office, including citywide services, appointments and fiscal and administrative affairs.
Madonia’s early experience in city government included serving as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Operations, First Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Department, and Deputy Commissioner for Budget and Operations at the Department of Buildings.
Madonia also owned and operated a successful 100-year-old family bakery business for twelve years, and serves on the boards of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Philanthropy New York, The Picture House, Fordham University/WFUV Radio, Fordham University/Feerick Center for Social Justice and Dispute Resolution, Jamaica Bay Rockaway Park Conservancy, PlaNYC Sustainability Advisory Board, Belmont Business Improvement District. He has served as a trustee for Randall’s Island Park Alliance since 2009.
Madonia received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University, where he has taught urban studies as an adjunct professor. He has a Master’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Chicago.