GEORGE F. RUSSELL JR. pioneered the business of pension fund consulting in the late 1960s and was named in 1993 as one of the four most influential people in the world of institutional investing. He is the creator of the Russell 2000 Index and the visionary behind Frank Russell Company, one of the world's leading investment management and advisory firms, with offices in financial centers worldwide. George Russell received the Lillywhite Award from the Employee Benefits Research Council for outstanding lifetime contributions to enhancing Americans' economic security in 1998, the CFA Institute's Thomas L. Hansberger Leadership in Global Investing Award in 2008, and the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in 2009.

MICHAEL SHELDON worked at Frank Russell Company from 1993 to 1999, writing marketing materials and helping George Russell draft articles and client communications. He cofounded XMedia Communications in 1999 to provide marketing, copywriting, creative content, and strategy to a diverse clientele.