Angela Russell loves building and she builds for depth. She creates structures, networks, and experiences that root, connect, and nourish what comes next.

Her career spans research, epidemiology, serving as a policy advisor to Governor Jim Doyle, helping create the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, national systems change work with the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps at UW-Madison, nearly a decade as Chief Diversity Officer for TruStage and two years as the TruStage Foundation President, and being a trusted advisor to leaders, colleagues and friends. In nearly every role, Angela has been practicing the same thing: weaving together what wasn't initially designed to be held together — across sectors, ideologies, and power differentials — and creating conditions for people to find each other, trust each other, and build something impactful.

That is the foundation of The Undercurrent. Most consultants bring a framework. Angela brings a hard-won sensibility and critical thinking shaped by decades at the intersection of data, policy, community, and culture. She brings firsthand understanding of the joy, beauty, and challenges of building something real, generative, and sustainable.

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Angela created and hosts the award-winning Black Oxygen podcast, serves on the boards of Downtown Madison, Inc. and Beloit College. In 2021, Angela was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science from Beloit College. She completed her Masters Degree in Population Health Sciences with a focus on epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 2001. In 1999, Angela graduated from Beloit College with a Bachelors of Science in biochemistry with honors.

What has remained constant over the past 26 years, in every role, room, and transition is the care for the people in front of her, deep sense of knowing that this world, while very troubled, is simultaneously awe-inspiring and that we can make this world better for all, and a continuous gratitude for being called to and trusted with work that matters.