Jane T. Russell Award for Leadership and Service

Mrs. Jane T. Russell, beloved wife of NBR’s chairman, George Russell, understood the importance of a strong corporate value system and was instrumental in helping identify and develop the values of the Russell Investment Group (currently Russell Investments) in Tacoma, Washington. The company is heralded today for fostering integrity in an environment of mutual trust and respect. Similarly, Mrs. Russell had a profound effect on the nonprofit world around her, in which she devoted a lifetime of service. It was Mrs. Russell who assisted The National Bureau of Asian Research in the process of developing a value system and building an environment for personal fulfillment and organizational success. To commemorate the accomplishments of the late Mrs. Russell, in 2003 the NBR Board of Directors established the Jane T. Russell Award for Leadership and Service.

The Award recognizes a young professional who has shown exceptional leadership in the performance of his or her duties at NBR and who has provided a positive and distinct service to the institution.

Eighth Annual Jane T. Russell Award Ceremony

On Thursday, December 9, 2010, at a private ceremony held at George F. Russell Jr. Hall, Mrs. Joan Sobba, former director of the Russell 20-20 Association, presented the eighth annual Jane T. Russell Award for Leadership and Service to Mr. Joseph Narus. Mr. Narus was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to his colleagues and to NBR. Mr. Narus received a cash prize of $1,500 as well as a glass globe specially commissioned from the Seattle Glassblowing Studio. Mr. Narus is now working in the government as a Presidential Management Fellow and flew back to Seattle for the event.

Jane T. Russell Award Committee

Mrs. Joan Sobba serves as Committee Chair and is the guiding force behind the Jane T. Russell Award. Ambassador Carla Hills, former U.S. Trade Representative and Honorary Chair, presented the inaugural award at a special ceremony at The Russell Family Foundation in Gig Harbor, Washington. Mr. Karl Ege, Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor of Russell Investments and 2004 Honorary Chair, presented the award the following year at NBR’s fifteen-year anniversary dinner at the Tacoma Museum of Glass. Award selection committee members have included: Ms. Lisa Barry, Mr. Charles Brady, Ms. Sarah Cavanaugh, Admiral Thomas Fargo, Ms. Linda Gutmann, Ms. Nina Lesavoy, Ms. Anne Pyle, Dr. Kenneth Pyle, Mr. Richard Russell, Ms. Victoria Thompson, Mr. Richard Woo, and Dr. Daniel B. Wright.

Founding Contributors