EXECUTIVE GROUP
Lee Foster, Executive Director
Lee Foster joined RiverCenter in September 2025. She comes to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts from Atlanta where she served as the Executive Director of the Rialto Center for the Arts for the past five years. Previously she was the Assistant Director of the Office of the Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology. She has served as the Managing Director of Theatrical Outfit of Atlanta, Executive Director of the Diablo Ballet in Walnut Creek, CA, Executive Director of the Freemont Symphony Orchestra in Freemont, CA. and the Executive Producing Director/Artistic Director for the Hillbarn Theatre in Foster City, CA.
Lee was raised in San Francisco, CA. She holds a BA in Asian Studies and a minor in Art History from Tufts University, a MBA in Marketing from the University of San Francisco and an MFA in Musical Theatre from Notre Dame. In addition to English, she speaks Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and French.
Jim Rutland, Associate Executive Director
Jim Rutland is a Columbus native who spent 20 years in New York City performing and working in the entertainment industry. Highlights of that time include an appearance in the feature film Philadelphia and concerts at Carnegie Hall and on HBO. Jim returned to Columbus in 2002 in conjunction with RiverCenter’s grand opening and is extremely happy to be home and working at RiverCenter.
Amanda Donaldson, Director of Development
Amanda Donaldson brings numerous years of experience in arts and cultural non-profits and development to the RiverCenter team. After a large leap from Southwest Louisiana, Amanda has found Columbus, Georgia to be a lively and quaint destination she can now call home. The abundant arts scene and cultural well-being of Columbus seemed to be a perfect fit to foster her passion for supporting and growing the arts. Amanda was previously the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana. In that role, she was able to oversee two historic arts and cultural properties that proved to be vital to the arts economy in SWLA. Through her career, she has been able to create a platform for regional and international visual and performing artists across the state of Louisiana. She brings a heavy toolbox of skills from Lake Charles that includes fundraising, event planning, facility management, marketing, and public relations. She enjoys strolling through museums, galleries, and beaches, as well as taking care of her three pups—Pip, Wally, and Evie.
John Davis (JD), Technical Director
John Davis (JD) began working full-time for the RiverCenter in 2008, but has been a part of RiverCenter from its earliest days as a member of the team that was hired to install the theatrical lighting system. Since he came to RiverCenter, JD has worked as Assistant Technical Director and was promoted to Technical Director in 2018. JD learned electronics repair in the U.S. Navy and has many years of experience running corporate and concert sound and lighting systems.
Robin Peacock, Director of Facility and Event Operations
Robin Peacock started her career at the Columbus Civic Center serving as the Event Coordinator and Operations Manager. She expanded her career at Columbus State University for 18 years, programming events and working in Residence Life. Robin has a lifelong love of music, theatre, and events. She is happy to return to her passion for operations by joining the staff at the RiverCenter.
Latisha Wells, Director of Patron and Customer Services
Latisha “Tee” Wells started her career in corporate America, where she spent 13 years in leadership. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Troy University and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. Before her role as director at the RiverCenter, Tee worked on the facilities team, and then as House and Volunteer Manager, which allowed her to build relationships with employees, patrons, and business partners. She is excited about using her passion for people, collaboration, and leadership to provide an exceptional experience to RiverCenter patrons.
