Kathie Russell is a passionate advocate for public education. She worked hard as an elected official to support projects such as North Carolina’s Community College System. Kathie served on the Chatham County Board of Education from 2006 to 2010, with the latter two years of her service as Chairperson. Her tenure coincided with considerable capital investment, the appointment of the system’s first African-American Superintendent, and collaboration with the County Board of Commissioners and towns.
Another source of pride during her incumbency was the building and naming of the Margaret Pollard Middle School, which was the second school in the whole school system to be named after an African-American community member. Margaret B. Pollard Middle School is the first middle school in North Carolina to get LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council. The Green Building Council LEED is an abbreviation for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Some green initiatives include High-output, dimmable T-5 fluorescent lights, Solatube Skylights, 93% of classrooms lit by natural daylight, recycling greywater for landscape irrigation, geothermal cooling and heating, solar hot water pre-heating system, green cleaning supplies, indoor air quality maintained by effective ventilation, and spray foam insulation used in exterior wall cavities to reduce energy loss due to air infiltration.
Kathie Russell, a dedicated member of the motorcycling community, lives by the community slogan “live and let live.” A strong supporter of women’s rights, Kathie Russell can speak up against injustices such as motorcycle safety legislation mixed in with women’s health rights.
Kathie’s education includes a B.A. from the University of South Florida, where she focused on Political Science. Kathie graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law in 1994, where she was a member of the Holderness Moot Court Negotiation Team. She was mentored by Governor Terry Sanford while working at the McNair Law Firm and credits him with giving her a graduate-level education on North Carolina history. Her Juris Doctor came from the University of North Carolina’s School of Law. While attending school, Kathie was an active participant in mock trials and negotiation teams. Russell started her law firm in 1998 and specialized in corporate, business, and real estate law. Kathie Russell is appointed to the downtown Pittsboro Advisory Board and a member of the Small Museum of Folk Art board. She was also inducted into the smoke out hall of fame.
Philanthropy and volunteerism are a big part of Kathie’s life. She serves on the Board of Directors at the Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Chatham County, the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, the Chatham County Arts Council, and the Triangle Real Estate Investors Association. Kathie Russell is also a North Carolina Certified Superior Court Mediator for the United Latino Students Association.
Visit Kathie’s Other website, kathierussell.com, to learn more.
