Russell Names BlackRock Exec as New CEO
Zach Buchwald succeeds Michelle Seitz, who left Russell Investments and founded MeydenVest Partners last year.
Russell Investments announced today that Zach Buchwald, former BlackRock managing director, will become CEO and board chairman May 1, succeeding Michelle Seitz, who left the firm and founded MeydenVest Partners last year.
Buchwald, who led BlackRock’s institutional business in the U.S. and Canada, will become the Seattle firm’s eighth CEO in 87 years.
“We believe Zach is the ideal leader to further Russell Investments’ legacy of innovation in asset management,” said Todd R. Crockett, a managing director at TA, which, along with Reverence Capital Partners, acquired Russell Investments in 2016.
“We are excited to welcome Zach and fully expect his leadership, along with President and Chief Investment Officer Kate El-Hillow and others on the leadership team, will help propel the firm through the next phase of growth, with a focus on delivering a superior client experience.”
Buchwald joins Russell Investments from BlackRock, where as the head of its institutional business in North America he was responsible for delivering the company’s investment capabilities to institutional clients. He joined BlackRock from Morgan Stanley in in 2008.
Before his most recent role, Buchwald, who has focused on retirees’ financial security, led BlackRock’s financial institutions group and helped establish the company’s retirement solutions and financial markets advisory platforms. He also has served on the firm’s global operating committee, the U.S.-Canada executive committee and as sponsor of its LGBT employee network.
“This is great news for Russell Investments’ clients. I look forward to working with Zach, especially benefiting from his stellar record of innovating client solutions to deliver on their desired investment outcomes,” El-Hillow said.
“Zach is expertly prepared to further the firm’s innovation success — from cutting-edge asset allocation and unparalleled money manager insights to some of the earliest forays into factor exposures, and a competitively recognized implementation capability — to address the exacting demands of investors globally.”