Maria Casella Russell

Class Year: 1996

Major: Social and Decision Sciences / Industrial Management

Sport: Women's Soccer

Term of Service: 2023

Maria Casella Russell is an executive in the Advisory practice at Ernst & Young (EY), a global professional services consulting firm.  At EY, Maria spends time leading teams to grow the business through sales best practices, and inspiring EY leaders to build and grow client relationships centered on trust. 

Maria graduated from CMU in 1996 with a major in social and decision sciences and a minor in industrial management. After graduation, she accepted a position with Accenture (then Anderson Consulting) in Nashville, Tennessee, where her husband of 20 years, Vince Russell (CMU ’95), was living and working. Maria spent the first 14 years of her career at Accenture, working with $10B+ clients on IT and back-office transformations, living and traveling across the United States. During her time as a “traveling consultant,” Maria and Vince made their home in Nashville, Cincinnati, Boston, and eventually Dayton, Ohio, where they reside today. 

Growing roots in Dayton, where Maria was born and raised, she continued to advance her career in the cross-roads of technology and business transformation, while raising three kids.  Maria has been at EY since 2013 and is passionate about Building a Better Working World at EY through advancing trust-based relationships.

At CMU, Maria was a four-year starter for the women’s soccer team, and two-year captain. Off the soccer field, Maria was a University Ambassador, hosting VIP guests for the President’s office when they visited campus. She was also selected to participate in a leadership program called Tomorrow’s Voice. In addition, Maria enjoyed playing intramural basketball and pushing bugging for Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity with her soccer teammates in the off-season. 

Maria met and married her CMU soccer sweetheart – Vince Russell, IM ’95, men’s varsity soccer. They continue to live in Dayton, Ohio, with their three children – Vivian 15, Vito 13, and Josie 11. 

Maria invites you to connect with her on LinkedIn.  Find her profile here.