Lori Russell is Executive Director of Aspire Developmental Services, a community-based non-profit organization that provides Early Intervention, education and support services to more than 4,000 families across the North Shore each year. The largest program of its kind in Massachusetts, Aspire offers an array of programs and services for families with young children with developmental delays, as well as training for parents, teachers and caregivers.

As a passionate advocate for children experiencing developmental differences, Lori has spent most of her professional career at Aspire, where she has held a succession of clinical and leadership roles over the past 18 years. As Executive Director since 2016, Lori oversees the organization’s daily operations, strategic direction, long-term planning, community partnerships, fundraising and the implementation of all new policies, programs and initiatives. Under her leadership, the organization has grown over 70% and developed critical programming to best meet the needs of families on the North Shore.

Lori graduated from Wheelock College with a BS in child development and Bay Path University with an MS in mental health counselling. She currently sits on the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School Strategic Planning Committee and is a member of the Lynn Education District Partnership.
A busy mother of five children, Lori and her husband, Ben, reside in Peabody. Interests outside work include traveling to warm weather destinations and attending her children’s many activities.