Alderman Russell is a lifelong resident of Maryland, and has lived in the City of Frederick since 1983. She is a graduate of the 25th Frederick Police Academy, and served for 22 years with the Frederick Police Department. As a member of the department she served in several divisions; Patrol, Special Operations, Criminal Investigation, Community Services, and finally Human Resources. She received a promotion to sergeant in 1988, and to lieutenant in 1996. She retired as commander of the Human Resources Division in June of 2005.

After retirement, Alderman Russell received Mayoral appointments to serve on the city's Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) and the Zoning Board of Appeals.  She currently holds assignments with the Planning Commisssion, the Bicycle Ad Hoc Committee, and is the Chairman of the Taxicab Commission.  She serves as liaison to the Frederick County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), the Frederick County Affordable Housing Council, and the Frederick County Human Relations Commission (HRC).  In 2011 she received appointment to the Governor's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (EVIC), and also serves on the Maryland Municipal Leagues' Hometown Emergency Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee (HEPAC).  SHe is the owner and steward of an historic home in the College Park neighborhood of the city, where she enjoys working on her yard and on home restoration projects.