At Russell Reynolds Associates, Stephen Newton is a key member of the CEO and board advisory partners and education practice lead. He has previously held numerous other leadership roles in the firm. Newton has decades of experience leading searches for CEOs, chief operating officers, and board members of prestigious for-profit and nonprofit organizations, family businesses, and public institutions. He works closely with clients across a range of industries and sectors, including but not limited to energy and natural resources, financial services, and private equity and nonprofit.

Newton previously managed Russell Reynolds Associates’ business in Texas including both the Houston and Dallas offices. Newton has led numerous higher education searches including chancellor of the University of Texas system and president of Rice University, Barnard College, and Trinity University as well as the Texas Medical Center. He has also led chief financial officer searches for Cornell University and Rice University.

Newton joined Russell Reynolds Associates in New York more than 30 years ago. After close to five years in the Paris office, he moved to Houston in 1995.

Newton received his bachelor of science in international economics from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He is fluent in French and English. Newton serves on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Texas TriCities Chapter where he has chaired the program committee. He has also chaired the French American Chamber of Commerce - Texas, Houston Parks Board, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, and Central Houston Inc.

Newton has been named one of the most influential leaders in corporate governance by the NACD as part of the 2023 NACD Directorship 100, an annual list of leading corporate directors and governance advocates.