Michelle Seitz
Michelle Seitz is an accomplished veteran CEO, investor and expert on global financial markets. She is best known as the former Chairman and CEO of Russell Investments, one of the world’s largest asset management firms. Under her leadership, Russell became one of the largest advisors in the world with $300 billion in AUM and $1.2 trillion under advisement for clients in 31 countries. Seitz has been recognized as one of the most influential women in U.S. finance. She has deep experience in the investment industry, having spent more than three decades in asset management and private wealth, both as a CEO and as an investor. Before joining Russell, she spent 22 years at William Blair, where she was CEO of William Blair Investment Management and on William Blair’s corporate board of directors for 16 years. Today, she serves as the Founder and CEO of MeydenVest Partners, a private investment and strategic advisory firm.
Michelle Seitz Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Chief Executive Officer
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Senior Portfolio Manager
Academic History
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B.S., Accounting
Seitz served as Chair and CEO of Russell Investments from 2017 to 2022.
During her tenure, she reset the firm's vision and strategic direction, strengthened the executive team and modernized client offerings by adding leading-edge capabilities around private markets and ESG investing.
She also redefined the firm's global operations and enhanced profitability and scalability.
WILLIAM BLAIR
As CEO at 35, Seitz led William Blair's institutional, mutual fund, and private wealth management businesses.
She drove a five-fold growth at WBIM and transformed the $11 billion business from its regional high-net-worth roots into a $74 billion global asset management firm.
William Blair was also the five-time winner of the “Best Places to Work in Money Management.”
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, MSCI
Board Member and Audit Committee Chair, Sana Biotechnology
Founder and Chair, The Seitz Family Foundation
Advisor of Leadership & Society Initiative, University of Chicago
Member of The Principals Group, Young Presidents Organization
RECOGNITIONS
2022 Forbes 50 Over 50
2022 American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Finance
2020-2022 Barron's The Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance
2019-2021 Puget Sound Business Journal's Power 100
2017 Indiana University's Alumni in Fellow
2016 Money Management Executive's Top Women in Asset Management Award
MEDIA & APPEARANCES
Seitz is a frequent keynote speaker on global markets, financial security, inclusive capitalism, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and innovation.
She has been featured in Forbes, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Barron's, BusinessWire, American Banker, Institutional Investor, and more.