Who is Russ? Why Does He Care About My Board?

Who is Russ? Why Does He Care About My Board?

For over three decades, Russ West has worked at the intersection of leadership education, organizational development, and nonprofit impact. His experience spans the classroom and the boardroom—teaching in business schools, facilitating capacity-building efforts across hundreds of nonprofits, and guiding executive teams toward deeper alignment and effectiveness. In 2015, Russ stepped away from his role as a professor to bring the transformational sciences of leadership, strategy, and systems thinking directly into the field, where real change happens in real time.

Why does he care about my board?
Russ believes that boards are often among the most underdeveloped—and most consequential—leadership spaces in any organization. Board governance is one of the least understood, but most impactful volunteer roles imaginable. He is convinced, your mission deserves a board equal to its demands.

Through Table Talk for Boards and other Professional Renewal Circles, he creates accessible, high-impact learning environments that strengthen governance and culture without jargon or judgment. His ultimate concern is that organizations make and keep their promises—especially to those with the least power and voice. He cares about your board because he cares about what your organization exists to do—and who it exists to serve.

For more on Dr. West, check out RussellWest.Info.

Over the course of his career, Russ has held diverse roles—from college president and dean to drill instructor to U.S. Marine officer candidates. He has been CEO of The Emergence Group since 2004, a company dedicated to evidence-based organizational transformation outcomes through strategic planning, team-based capacity building and targeted culture shift initiatives, all focused on improved service delivery and accountable impact.

A certified executive performance coach and career leadership educator, Russ is faculty in several nonprofit capacity-building programs, including the Kellogg School's Center for Non-Profit Management, the Murdock Trust's Board Leadership and its Green Room initiatives and Geisinger Health's E. A. Deaver Healthcare Executive Leadership Program. Russ is an engaging, thought-provoking keynote and workshop facilitator.

He resides in Nashville. Russ enjoys family, equestrian pursuits, and sailing. Connect with him by tapping the "Let's Talk" button or on LinkedIn, HERE.