Artadia, a nonprofit grant-making organization and nationwide community of visual artists, curators, and patrons, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennie Lamensdorf, Ramon Manning, Matthew Newton, and janera solomon to the Artadia Board of Directors.

Jennie Lamensdorf is an arts and culture leader based in Los Angeles. She is known for creating partnerships, exhibitions, and storytelling that expands audiences for art, supports creative experiences in non-traditional spaces, and empowers artists to grow their careers. At the root of Jennie’s work is the conviction that art has the power to drive thoughtfulness, empathy, innovation, and creative problem solving. She believes to build a more just society there needs to be more art everywhere and she is passionate about developing visionary experiences that spark conversation and spread joy.

Ramon Manning is the Founder and Chairman of Ridgegate Capital, a private investment firm. He directs Ridgegate Capital’s investment strategy, decisions, and firm governance. Mr. Manning was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott as Vice Chair to the Texas Public Finance Authority. As a fiduciary, he provides oversight for the financing for all state agencies and facilities in Texas. Mr. Manning also served on the Board of the Memorial Hermann Hospital System. As a former member of the investment committee and current member of the government affairs committee, Mr. Manning also serves as a Trustee for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and Board Chairman for the Emancipation Park Conservancy. Previously, he served as trustee on the Board of the Houston Municipal Employee Pension System, where he was a member of the investment committee for the multi-billion-dollar retirement system. Currently, Mr. Manning serves his alma mater as a trustee for the Texas Southern University Foundation. Mr. Manning is a proud graduate of one of the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Texas Southern University, were he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration. Mr. Manning and his wife, Karen, reside in Houston, Texas with their three children: Morgan Ann, Mason, and Matthew.

Matthew Newton is an Art Advisory Specialist at UBS where he assists Private Wealth clients to build, manage, and plan for sophisticated art collections. Prior to his role in wealth management, he developed a decade-long career in the commercial gallery space, culminating as Associate Director at Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, New York. Before his career in the art world, Matthew earned a Master of Fine Arts from Hunter College in New York. Originally from rural Georgia, he began as an art educator after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Georgia with a dual Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Art Education – and still today enjoys sharing great art with others.

janera solomon is the CEO and founder of ARTPOWER, a writer, strategist, and catalyst for cultural change. Described by her colleagues, clients, and friends as a “queen manifester” – janera knows how to make big things happen for the causes, organizations, and people she cares most about. She is a recognized thought leader and provocateur known for her passionate commitment to creative and cultural expression as powerful tools for dialogue, collaboration and social change.