George F. Russell, Jr.
George F. Russell, Jr.
Position:
Chairman Emeritus

George F. Russel, Jr. is an international philanthropist focusing on the promotion of globalization, the destruction of nuclear waste, strengthened U.S.-Russian relations, humanitarian aid, and bridging divides between Muslims and non-Muslims in America.

George built Frank Russell Company from one part-time secretary in 1958 to become one of the world’s leading investment advisory firms. He served as chairman from 1958 until the firm was sold to Northwestern Mutual Life in 1999. Today, the company guides over 1,900 clients in 44 countries with assets exceeding more than $2.4 trillion, and manages $171 billion in funds. The company is often recognized by the stock market index The Russell 2000, which is one of a large number of Russell indexes around the world, many more than any other index group offers.

A native of Tacoma, Washington, George pioneered the business of pension fund consulting in the late 1960s. He is a well-known advocate of diversified global investing and, along with Warren Buffett, was named in 1993 as one of the four most influential people in the world of institutional investing, in addition to numerous other awards.

George and Jane, his late wife, led a growing economic development effort in their hometown of Tacoma, and were active supporters of education and the arts. Their civic leadership has resulted in many honors. They jointly received the prestigious E. Donnell Thomas “Medal of Achievement” from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, recognizing their inspirational leadership and world vision in 1997. They were the couple behind the creation of the internationally recognized Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

Previously, George served as Chairman of the EastWest Institute and, in that role, chaired a project entitled Reframing Perceptions of Islam and Muslims in America and Co-Chairs the EWI Advisory Council on Strengthening U.S.-Russian Relations. Currently, he is Chairman of One Nation, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies, Inc., The Russell Family Foundation, Threshold Group, is Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Humanitarian Forum, and a Board Member of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. He is Chairman Emeritus of The National Bureau of Asian Research, Russell Investments and The Museum of Glass.