Brian Causey

Brian Causey

Director, Overlay Portfolio Management

B.A., Finance, Minors in Economics and Accounting, Western Washington University
Licensed Registered Representative, FINRA Series 7 and 66


Brian Causey is a director of portfolio management for Russell Investments and manages the Overlay Services U.S. production team. Brian’s primary responsibilities are to design, implement, and manage portfolios for large institutional investors. Strategies include cash equitization, synthetic rebalancing, liquidity management, liability-driven investing, portable alpha, currency overlays, downside protection, and client-directed hedges. Through these assignments, Overlay Services strives to improve the implementation of existing investment strategies by reducing slippage inherent in most portfolios. Brian has authored a number of portfolio strategy and research papers, including Portfolio Management Best Practices: Implementing an Overlay Program in 2019.

Prior to joining the Overlay Services group in 2007, Brian was a portfolio manager specializing in complex portfolio transitions for large institutional investors. Responsibilities included the planning and implementation of risk-controlled transition strategies, exploring the lowest cost trading alternatives, and reporting the results to clients. Prior to taking on this role in 2004, Brian worked for Russell/Mellon Analytical Services as the supervisor of Russell’s index operations. One of his chief responsibilities was leading the highly visible Russell Index reconstitution project.

Brian's published works include the following:


The power of an Overlay program: 13 short case studies

June 2024
An Overlay program is a multifaceted portfolio tool that offers a helpful set of solutions for today’s portfolio challenges. Read about these solutions.

Equity index futures vs. total return swaps

November 2022
Seven key factors to consider when determining which synthetic instrument is most appropriate in a given situation. Request today.

Exposure benchmarking

November 2020
3 scenarios demonstrate practical ways to reduce portfolio risk.

Solutions for adjusting real estate exposure

May 2020
Exposure to real estate alternatives is an integral part of a comprehensive asset allocation strategy. Learn more about the options to adjust exposure. Request today.