Ghidotti, Makris, Wiles Join the AMFA Board of Trustees

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) welcomes to the board of trustees the following new members: Natalie Ghidotti, George Makris III, and Michelle Wiles.

"As AMFA enters our second year of operation, we welcome these board members and look forward to the new ideas and insight they will each bring to the Museum,” said AMFA’s Executive Director Dr. Victoria Ramirez.

The AMFA Board of Trustees supports the institution through initiatives that engage the community, raise funds, and benefit AMFA’s mission.

Dr. Ramirez expressed gratitude for the dedication of outgoing trustees Van Tilbury (13 years of service), Diane Gilleland (10 years of service), LaRand Thomas (6 years of service), and Laurence Alexander (5 years of service).

"AMFA appreciates the commitment of all our board members, past and present. Their dedication and hard work to advancing the museum’s mission continues to allow AMFA to inspire and build community through the arts,” said Ramirez.

New members of the AMFA Board of Trustees:

Natalie Ghidotti, APR, is the Founder and CEO of Ghidotti, a public relations and content marketing agency she established in 2007, serving prominent clients across various industries. She is also the Co-Founder of The Nest, Little Rock’s first coworking and social club for women. A recognized leader in her field, Natalie serves as Chair-Elect of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy and is the only Arkansas member of the Public Relations Global Network. In addition to being a member of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Board of Trustees, she also actively contributes to her community by serving on the boards of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership.

George Makris III serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Simmons First National Corporation and Simmons Bank, where he oversees a broad range of legal matters. Before joining Simmons, he practiced law at Sidley Austin LLP in Washington, D.C. and served as an attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. George holds an undergraduate degree from Columbia University, a law degree from Vanderbilt University, and a Master of Laws from Georgetown University. He resides in Little Rock with his wife, Caroline, and their two sons, George IV and Charlie.

Michelle Wiles is a seasoned human resources executive with over 25 years of experience across major industries, including healthcare, mergers and acquisitions, technology, and pharma. She currently serves as Vice Chancellor and Chief People and Culture Officer at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in Little Rock, overseeing the Clinical Enterprise, Colleges, and Research Division. Michelle has also been involved in Arts in Healing programs during her career. She is married and a mother of two, with one child pursuing a career in dance in California.

2024-2025 Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Board of Trustees

Le’Kita Brown – President
Steve Ronnel – Vice President
Gary Cooper – Treasurer
Paul Parnell – Secretary
Stan Hastings – Chairman

• Dr. Loren Bartole
• John Bethel
• Beau Blair
• Khayyam Eddings
• Maribeth Frazer
• Natalie Ghidotti
• Jim Hugg
• George Makris III
• Mike Marquez
• Larry Middleton
• Dr. Odell Nickelberry
• Amy O’Connor
• Jacqueline Retzer
• Betsy Rhodes
• Mary Ritchey
• Gordon Silaski
• Derrick Smith
• Rebecca Smith
• Mary Olive Stephens
• Michelle Wiles

Ex Officio Trustees

• The Honorable Frank Scott Jr., Mayor of the City of Little Rock
• The Honorable Terry Hartwick, Mayor of the City of North Little Rock
• Mary-Lee Smith, Junior League of Little Rock
• Ericka Mays, Junior League of North Little Rock
• Lynn Sudderth, Docent, Arkansas Museum of Fine Art

About the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Founded in 1937, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is the largest cultural institution of its kind in the state, offering a unique blend of visual and performing arts experiences. AMFA is committed to featuring diverse media and artistic perspectives within its permanent collection as well as through rotating temporary exhibitions. AMFA’s international collection spans eight centuries, with strengths in works on paper and contemporary craft, and includes notable holdings by artists from Arkansas, the South, and across the United States and Europe.

With a vibrant mix of ideas, cultures, people, and places, AMFA extends this commitment to diversity through the innovative Windgate Art School, a dynamic children’s theatre and performing arts program, and community-focused educational programs for all ages. Located in Little Rock’s oldest urban green space, MacArthur Park, AMFA’s landmark building and grounds are designed by Studio Gang and SCAPE, in collaboration with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects.