July 28, 2022

#22 - Michelle Seitz, CEO @ Russell Investments: Being “Authentically You” – Solving Bigger Problems, Asking Better Questions, and Leading with Great Teams in Finance

47 minutes

In this week’s episode of Investing In Integrity, our CEO, Ross Overline, interviewed Michelle Seitz, the Chairman & CEO of Russell Investments, a leading global investment firm that ended 2021 with over $340 billion in assets under management and $1.2 trillion under advisement for clients in 32 countries.

Michelle digs into her 35+ year career arc, speaking candidly about the importance of bringing her authentic self to work, tracing back to 1987 when she was a first-time female portfolio manager with an undergraduate degree from Indiana University, among a sea of men with Ivy League MBAs.

“Human connection can never be understated, and it is core to being a high-performing executive.” Michelle says, in discussing her tenure leading Russell Investments. She reflects on building and sustaining strong culture and how she self-selected her role based on her own values tracing to her upbringing.

Michelle also offers timely insight on investors’ mindsets, contrasting her focus on fiduciary responsibility and long-termist discipline with bull-market speculation. For future finance leaders, Michelle charts a course for building “inclusive, sustainable, long-term” growth – and also explores challenges & opportunities for young women, in particular, in becoming leaders in finance.

00:00 - Intro

1:44 - Michelle’s Career and Story

26:55 - Developing client relationships, culture, and purpose

36:31 - Empowering more women to become leaders in finance

43:58 - Rapid Fire Questions

...more