By Carlotta Mohamed
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) recognized Maria A. Grasso for her commitment to Queens and the Flushing community at the Queens Botanical Garden’s Rose Gala last week at 43-50 Main St. in Flushing.
Proceeds from the event help sustain Queens Botanical Garden’s colorful flowers, innovative programs, and environmental education workshops for the 35,000-plus schoolchildren and almost 225,000 people served by the garden last year, according to QBG.
Guests at the June 14 Rose Gala were joined by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) and the city Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom FinkelPearl.
Grasso joined Flushing Bank in 2006 as the chief operating officer and was elected corporate secretary in 2007. She has been in the banking business for 30 years, beginning her career with Chase Manhattan. Prior to joining Flushing Bank, she held the title of senior vice president and division head of the Bank of New York for Long Island and Queens, overseeing an organization that served the personal and small business banking needs of customers throughout 102 branches.
Grasso is currently a member of the National Board of the American Kidney Fund, president of the Hofstra University Zarb Business School Alumni Association, a former chairwoman of United Way of Long Island’s board of directors, and a former chairwoman of the Retail Banking Division Committee for the New York Bankers Association.
She is also a part of charitable organizations that have benefited from her leadership and support. Grasso has volunteered for the March of Dimes, Long Island Care, Bias Help of Long Island, Women’s Fund of Long Island, the American Cancer Society, and Long Island Association for AIDS Care and Long Island Network of Community Services.
Grasso obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hofstra University and an MBA in marketing from Adelphi University.
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
