Russ helps people who don't know each other and often don't even like each other solve complex problems together in the areas of shared prosperity and ecological sustainability--and builds the capacity of others to do the same.

As the managing partner of CoCreative, a systems change consulting firm, he and the team currently support 21 multistakeholder networks working on a range of challenges like:
Aligning bank lending with climate needs in Europe and North AmericaDeveloping an international human rights measurement systemAdvancing climate-positive agriculture globallyAdvancing inclusive community wealth-buildingShifting the upstream determinants of healthClosing racial and economic gaps on education and workforce opportunityBuilding an integrated foster youth support system in Hawai'iRuss also builds the capacities of others to lead effective collaboration by speaking and teaching around the world on changing complex systems, human-centered design, and leveraging conflict and diversity as sources of strategic innovation. In his guest faculty role, he has taught workshops and graduate courses on leading social innovation and complex change and creating shared value.

Prior to launching CoCreative, Russ served as the chief business officer of Green America, a global leader in developing economic strategies to advance social equity and environmental sustainability; served as managing director of US SIF, a pioneering membership organization for financial firms and institutional investors doing impact investing; and founded the Green Business Network, the first network of triple-bottom-line businesses in the U.S.