Russell Reynolds Associates Names Chief People Officer
February 8, 2022 – Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has appointed Renée Bell as chief people officer. She is based in Chicago and will serve on the firm’s senior leadership team. “She will lead the global people team to further align the firm’s people strategy to its business strategy and will help cultivate talent to further strengthen and deepen the organization’s inclusive culture,” said the search firm. Most recently, Ms. Bell was chief talent officer at Cornerstone Research, where she managed a global team responsible for talent and development. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly a decade at Russell Reynolds Associates as the global head of learning and development and was instrumental in leading the firm’s professional development programs, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, apprenticeship, and more.
“Renée returns to us with her deep background in human resources management and broad focus on developing talent,” said Constantine Alexandrakis, chief executive officer of Russell Reynolds Associates. “She is an accomplished leader who will help us further strengthen the diversity of our talent bench to fuel our continued growth, emphasizing how we develop and reward our people while attracting new talent. These are critical pillars for our firm’s continued success.”
“I am thrilled to rejoin Russell Reynolds Associates and be a part of the firm’s next chapter of growth and development under Constantine’s leadership,” said Ms. Bell. “Our organization’s success depends on the strength and energy of our people. I am committed to deepening our culture of inclusivity, innovation and purpose which generates a lot of pride in our colleagues but also energizes them to take the firm and their own careers to greater heights.”
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Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm. Its 520-plus consultants in 47 offices work with public, private and non-profit organizations across all industries and regions.
New Leadership
Last month, Russell Reynolds Associates appointed Mr. Alexandrakis as its new CEO succeeding Clarke Murphy, who remains with the firm, transitioning back to full-time client work. “Constantine is a demonstrated leader who has an inspiring vision,” said Mr. Murphy. “With his global orientation, collaborative leadership, inclusive mindset, and passion for the business, I am confident that he will lead this organization forward with tremendous success. I am proud to be a part of the firm’s legacy and am looking forward to continuing to work with Constantine as he positions us for the future.”
Mr. Alexandrakis served on the firm’s executive committee between 2015 and 2018, and in 2018 was appointed head of the Americas – including the U.S., Canada and Latin America – overseeing the firm’s growth and expansion in the region. His earlier leadership roles included leading the U.S. as well as the firm’s global leadership and succession practice. He has been with RRA for over 15 years and, as a leadership advisory consultant in the firm’s CEO and board practice, has advised corporate boards and CEOs across a range of industries.
“I am honored to lead this firm into the next chapter of our growth and development and am focused on ensuring that we continue to be recognized and valued by clients worldwide as the premier leadership advisory firm – with a team and with insights that are second to none,” said Mr. Alexandrakis. “We are grateful to Clarke for his transformative leadership and tireless commitment to our firm, its special culture and ensuring we are delivering our very best to the clients we serve. The great success we have achieved during his tenure is a testament not only to his decades of insight into the leadership issues our clients face, but also to his deep personal passion for our firm’s purpose: improving the way the world is led.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
