Russell is the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a position created to be an integral part of the School’s leadership team and an important advocate for equitable and responsible use of data to serve the common good. She is interested in how data science can empower communities, individuals, and policy-makers to improve outcomes and maximize societal benefits.

Prior to joining UVA, Russell served as the inaugural Director of Equity & Inclusion for Albemarle County since 2018, where she led the creation and implementation of  the County’s DEI program and initiatives. revising diversity recruitment strategies to creating a framework for assessing the equity impacts of policies, practices, and legislative actions. She collaborated closely with human resources on harassment and discrimination policies and created an organizational DEI curriculum with an emphasis on workplace application. Russell also serves on the President’s Council on UVA-Community Partnerships Workgroup and was a past lecturer at the UVA School of Architecture. 

She holds an MBA, an M.A. in Community and Economic Development, and a B.A. in Sociology. 

Her work in equity and inclusion has been guided by the wisdom and insight of countless community partners, advocates, and change-makers.