betty blondeau-russell | development liason

Betty began her career in the arts in 1974 as the Education Programs Director at the Alliance Children's Theatre, and spent seven years developing that department. In 1981, Betty took the position as the first Development Director for the Alliance Theatre, and nurtured the growth of the department to include the corporate sponsorship program, its successful telefunding effort, the major gifts cultivation, the endowment campaign, the special events department and the board and volunteer corps program.

After retiring from the Alliance in 2002, Betty joined Kenny Leon and Jane Bishop to lead the development efforts for the newly formed True Colors Theatre Company. In her capacity as consultant at True Colors, Betty has led the company in various efforts of development: sponsorship, foundation support, grant request development, major gifts cultivation, an annual fund program, a membership program and special events.

A native of Decatur, Betty has watched the arts grow up in this town. And a lot of that success is due, in a very large part, to her efforts. As President of Georgia Citizens for the Arts and Community Arts Chair of the DeKalb Junior League, she was a regular face around the Capitol in lobbying efforts to keep the arts funded at the state level. She has served as a panelist for the City of Atlanta, Fulton County , and State of Georgia as well as with various arts groups.

Betty still lives in Decatur and when she's not out raising money on behalf of the arts, she's busy serving some other group, you can be sure. An avid reader, a political junkie and amateur chef, Betty most enjoys spending time with her three grown children and her teenaged grandchildren.