Russell Welcomes Cara Pifer as Vice President, People and Culture

Russell announces that Cara Pifer has joined the company as Vice President of People and Culture. In this role, Cara will lead Russell’s human resources strategy, guiding talent acquisition, team member development, and initiatives that strengthen the company’s culture and organizational effectiveness.

Cara brings nearly 20 years of experience in human resources. She has built a reputation for leading high-performing teams, optimizing people processes, and implementing strategies that support sustainable organizational growth. At Russell, she will partner closely with leadership to attract, develop, and retain top talent while advancing programs that enhance engagement, performance, and career development across the company.

“Cara brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to leadership,” said Caitlin Russell, President at Russell. “Her experience and passion for developing talent will play an important role as we continue to grow and invest in our people.”

Cara is passionate about creating environments where individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences can succeed and grow. Her collaborative leadership style focuses on strengthening relationships, solving complex challenges, and building systems that support long-term organizational success.

“I’m excited to join a company that places such a strong emphasis on people and purpose,” said Cara Pifer. “Russell’s mission and values strongly align with my own passion for developing talent and building environments where people can grow, collaborate, and do their best work.”

Cara holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has earned several professional certifications, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Korn Ferry Certified Coach and Profiler 360 Coach.