Russell Investments Names Michelle Seitz as New CEO
30-year industry leader to succeed Len Brennan, who will become strategic advisor to the firm.
Effective January 1, 2018, Michelle Seitz will become Chairman of Russell Investments.
With 30 years of Asset Management experience under her belt, Michelle Seitz will lead Russell Investments as the global asset manager’s new—and first-ever female CEO, effective immediately, the firm announced.
Seitz will be based in Russell’s Seattle headquarters, succeeding Len Brennan, who will serve as chairman through the end of 2017 before becoming a strategic advisor to the firm. Effective immediately, Seitz is a director on the Russell Investment’s board, which she will become chairman of on January 1, 2018.
Prior to joining Russell Investments, Seitz spent 16 years at William Blair Investment Management (WBIM), where she helped transform the fund to unprecedented heights — growing WBIM’s institutional business from $2.3 billion to $65 billion in assets under management. Seitz also served on WBIM’s seven-person executive committee.
“For more than three decades, Russell Investments has been at the forefront of asset management capabilities that are critical for success in today’s investing environment—from cutting-edge asset allocation and unparalleled money manager insights, to some of the earliest forays into factor exposures and a competitively recognized implementation capability,” said Todd R. Crockett, managing director, TA Associates, which acquired Russell Investments in 2016 along with Reverence Capital Partners. “We are excited to welcome Michelle as Russell Investments’ new CEO, and believe that her forward-looking leadership will help propel the firm into a new phase of evolution and growth that will benefit clients and associates alike.”