Welcome to Seattle Center
SEATTLE – Seattle Center announced today that Director Marshall Foster has decided to leave his position to take on a new leadership role at Sound Transit, where he will continue supporting the region at a pivotal moment for major mobility and infrastructure investment. Foster will remain at Seattle Center through Jan. 16, 2026. Deputy Director Diamatris Winston will assume the role of Acting Director of Seattle Center following Foster’s departure.
“Serving Seattle Center has been one of the great honors of my career. Together, we have strengthened this campus as the cultural and civic heart of our city. I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done — from advancing the Memorial Stadium redevelopment, to managing Waterfront Park, to launching a powerful long-term vision for the Center’s future,” Foster said. “I’m grateful our partnership with the Seattle Center Foundation is stronger than ever, thanks to the leadership of Jane Zalutsky and Rob Johnson. Seattle Center is well-positioned for the years ahead, and I am confident in the department’s leadership to carry this work forward with our partners. Thank you for the privilege of serving alongside you.”
“Marshall Foster has been a forward-thinking and effective leader for Seattle Center during a pivotal moment for both the campus and our city. Under his leadership, Seattle Center strengthened its role as the place where Seattle comes together, advancing the long-awaited redevelopment of Memorial Stadium, launching a clear long-term vision for the campus, and stewarding spaces like Waterfront Park that are now central to our civic life," said Mayor Bruce Harrell. "Marshall’s nearly two decades of service to Seattle reflect a deep commitment to this city and the people who call it home, and I am grateful for the impact of his leadership. I wish him all the best as he begins this next chapter at Sound Transit, where his experience and values will continue to benefit our region.”
In announcing his departure, Foster expressed deep appreciation for the Seattle Center team and the broader community, noting his pride in what has been accomplished together. He also shared his enthusiasm for Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson’s vision for a connected, culturally vibrant, community-focused city, citing her strong support for Seattle Center’s mission in their initial discussions and excitement for its future.
Foster departs after 19 years of public service with the City of Seattle, during which he played a guiding role in shaping major civic projects and urban planning initiatives, including the redevelopment of South Lake Union, the creation of Seattle’s new Waterfront Park, Climate Pledge Arena, and the new Memorial Stadium project now underway at Seattle Center.
Since joining Seattle Center in 2023, his leadership has helped to strengthen the campus’s role as a gathering place for creativity, culture, festivals, sports, and community life.
Under his leadership, Seattle Center has:
Deputy Director Diamatris Winston will step into the role of Acting Director on Jan. 17, 2026. Winston brings extensive experience in operations, administration, and financial leadership, ensuring stability and continuity across campus programs, capital projects, and partnerships during this transition.
Seattle Center will work closely with Mayor-Elect Wilson and her team as they determine the process for selecting the next leader at Seattle Center.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of the city. It is home to more than 30 partner organizations — including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others — alongside world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events for all ages, centered around the iconic International Fountain.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts & Cultural District, Seattle Center serves as a hub for creative expression, cultural diversity, and civic life. It also manages the City’s new Waterfront Park in partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, delivering cultural programming, operations, and civic care on Seattle’s revitalized downtown waterfront.
In 2025, Seattle Center is projected to generate over $900 million in visitor spending, contribute more than $2 billion in total regional economic impact, and support more than 18,600 jobs. With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact:
Madison Miller
425-246-5468 madison@whyforgood.com
