Autumn R. Russell

Autumn R. Russell is the Founder and Principal of Strategic Approach Consulting, LLC, a strategy and organizational effectiveness firm that helps leaders and organizations navigate growth, transformation, and complex challenges. With more than 20 years of leadership experience, she brings expertise in strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, coaching, training, facilitation, and implementation. Her work focuses on helping organizations translate vision into clear priorities, aligned teams, effective systems, and measurable action.

Throughout her career, Russell has led complex initiatives across education, workforce development, nonprofit, government, and mission-driven sectors. Most recently, she served as the Founding President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Career Consortium, where she helped establish a regional education-to-career ecosystem and facilitated collaboration among more than 150 cross-sector partners. Her previous leadership experience includes serving as Vice President of Diversity & Economic Inclusion and Executive Director of Early College Early Career at MAGNET, as well as strategic and organizational effectiveness roles with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and Cleveland State University. Her work has included developing career pathways, strengthening organizational systems, managing significant investments, and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared outcomes.

Through Strategic Approach Consulting, LLC, Russell provides strategic consulting and coaching to visionary leaders and organizations seeking greater clarity, alignment, and sustainable results. She is particularly passionate about leadership development and supporting women as they navigate professional growth, organizational leadership, and the integration of career and life. Russell holds a Master of Education in Education Administration and Leadership from Purdue Global and is pursuing a doctorate in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Strategic Planning Professional (SPP), and attributes her success to the guidance of mentors and coaches, personal discipline, and maintaining a clear vision while intentionally aligning her actions with her goals.