Narrative weaver, leadership developer, and movement builder

Russell relentlessly builds the movement in Arkansas to eradicate the presence of social, ethnic, and racial bias in education and economic systems. He manages grants, conducts research, writes, assesses outcomes, and convenes leaders who can impact change.

Prior to joining the Foundation in July 2013, Russell was an assistant buyer for Dillard’s Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Little Rock, Arkansas. He also previously interned with Heifer International and consulted for the Schedler Honors College at the University of Central Arkansas, the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, and the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Russell served on the board of directors and as the co-chair of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - Little Rock between 2014 and 2017 and is a member of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. In 2016 he graduated from the Southeastern Council of Foundations’ (SECF) Hull Fellows leadership program.

Russell earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Central Arkansas and Master of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

He and his wife Cory are the proud parents of a daughter and son.