Kathleen Simpson

Chief Executive Officer, The Russell Family Foundation

Kathleen is the Chief Executive Officer of The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF), where she collaborates with the board to guide the foundation’s strategic planning, programs, community affairs, and oversees the Foundation's impact investing. She has extensive experience with both for-profit and nonprofit industries. As CEO of TRFF and formerly CFO, Kathleen has a track record of transitioning the investment portfolio from 7% to nearly 95% impact aligned, leading the foundation to make a Net Zero commitment, and supporting the education around decarbonization.

Prior to joining the Foundation, she was Director of Finance for an independent wealth management firm serving individuals, multigenerational families and foundations. She also founded and operated a public accounting firm providing CFO services to businesses, high-net-wealth families and non-profits for more than a decade.

Kathleen is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a master's of business administration degree. She serves on the board of directors for Confluence Philanthropy and American Leadership Forum of Tacoma Pierce County.  Kathleen also serves on the Investment Advisory Committees for the Bainum Family Foundation and Children's Equity Fund and the Advisory Board for the University of Washington Tacoma's Milgard Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Washington State Society of Certified Public Accountants.