Russell G. Mawby was an American academic and philanthropist who served as chairman emeritus of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He led the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for 25 years, during which he was credited for creativity in programming by providing opportunities for youth and leadership in the field. Mawby was born Feb. 28, 1928 in Kent County. In December 1964, upon the completion of his doctorate degree, Mawby joined the staff of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as director of the Division of Agriculture. In that position, he developed the Michigan Agricultural Leadership Program, which became a model for the national rural leadership movement. Three years later he was promoted to vice president and in 1970 became the president and chief executive officer. Mawby died Oct. 20, 2017.