Russell N. James III

Russell N. James III

Keynote Speaker: Charitable Financial Planning Expert & Professor at Texas Tech University; Author of "Inside the Mind of the Bequest Donor"

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    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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Russell N. James III Biography

Russell N. James III, J.D., Ph.D., CFP, is a professor in the Department of Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, where he holds the CH Foundation Chair in Personal Financial Planning and directs the on-campus and online graduate program in charitable financial planning. James also serves as an adjunct professor at the Texas Tech University School of Law, teaching charitable gift planning. His expertise spans law, economics, and financial planning, contributing a multidisciplinary perspective to the field of philanthropy and nonprofit fundraising.

Before his academic career, James worked as director of planned giving for Central Christian College and later served as president of the college, overseeing all fundraising activities. During his tenure, the college completed two capital campaigns, constructed new debt-free buildings, and increased enrollment. James graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Law, where he was a member of the Missouri Law Review and received the United Missouri Bank Award for most outstanding work in gift and estate taxation and planning. He also holds a Ph.D. in consumer economics from the University of Missouri, with a dissertation focused on charitable giving.

James has published more than 150 works in academic journals, conference proceedings, and books, with a focus on statistical analysis and experimental research related to gifts, estates, and property. His research incorporates neuroscience, including the first published peer-reviewed study using fMRI to examine charitable bequest decision-making. By integrating neuroimaging, experimental psychology, psychological theory, and survey research, James explores the conscious and subconscious processes involved in bequest decisions. His books include "Inside the Mind of the Bequest Donor," "Visual Planned Giving," "The Storytelling Fundraiser," "The Epic Fundraiser," and "The Primal Fundraiser," which provide practical guidance for fundraising professionals.

James's research on philanthropy and planned giving has been recognized by his induction into the Charitable Gift Planners' Hall of Fame. He has received teaching honors from the Texas Tech University School of Personal Financial Planning and the Personal Financial Planning Association. James has been quoted on charitable and financial issues in news sources such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC News, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Associated Press, Bloomberg News, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. His work connects academic research with practical insights for nonprofit professionals, financial advisors, and estate planners.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Russell N. James III and other top speakers and celebrities.

Russell N. James III Speaking Topics

Top 10 charitable financial planning strategies for advisors: Helping your clients and your business with charitable planning

This session gives the top approaches to helping your clients and growing your practice using charitable planning with special tips related to the new tax law. Participants will learn how to provide tremendous benefit to clients, while improving their own assets under management, with charitable planning. Topics include gifts from retirement plans, gifts of appreciated assets, the use of private foundations, and life insurance.

Top 10 inheritance myths: What really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving in the “Great Wealth Transfer”

The “Great Wealth Transfer” is everywhere. But much of the story people tell about it is wrong. Absurd dollar estimates. Young heirs. Lasting family wealth. Decedent values preserved. Automatic windfalls for nonprofits. But the true story is often very different. We’ll examine the data on what really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving. Whether you work with nonprofits, heirs, or families planning their estates, this session will help you replace comforting assumptions with more realistic and effective strategies.

Baby Boomers and planned giving: A very special generation or just typical old people?

In this irreverent and entertaining session, Dr. James reviews nationally representative data on Baby Boomers and their planned giving. Beyond simple statistics, this session demonstrates how these demographic realities, and age-related psychological factors, should change how and when you communicate planned giving information to Boomers. If you want a session based on hard data that goes beyond "just so" stories with obligatory pictures of Woodstock, Vietnam, and Neil Armstrong - then this is the place for you!

The hidden code of end-of-life decisions: What estate and financial planners can learn from decision-making in life insurance, annuities, planned giving, estate planning, and healthcare

Death is different. When it comes to making decisions involving end-of-life, people respond in unusual ways. In this presentation, Professor James brings together scientific and demographic research from a range of end-of-life decisions to uncover remarkably consistent principles of what works in persuasive communication. Understanding this “hidden code” will change the way you think, and talk, about estate planning and financial giving.

Top 10 inheritance myths: What really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving in the “Great Wealth Transfer”

The “Great Wealth Transfer” is everywhere. But much of the story people tell about it is wrong. Absurd dollar estimates. Automatic windfalls for nonprofits. Young heirs. Lasting family wealth. Decedent values preserved. But the true story is often very different. We’ll examine the data on what really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving. Whether you work with nonprofits, heirs, or families planning their estates, this session will help you replace comforting assumptions with more realistic and effective strategies.

How do I book Russell N. James III to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Russell N. James III for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Russell N. James III, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Russell N. James III or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Russell N. James III for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Russell N. James III, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Russell N. James III are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Russell N. James III, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Russell N. James III speak about?

Russell N. James III is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Finance, Government, Law, Non-Profit, Professors, Education, Storytelling, Social Activism and Philanthropy.

Where does Russell N. James III travel from?

Russell N. James III generally travels from Lubbock, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Russell N. James III?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Russell N. James III for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Russell N. James III for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Russell N. James III or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Russell N. James III is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Finance, Government and Law. The estimated speaking fee range to book Russell N. James III for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Russell N. James III generally travels from Lubbock, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dr. Michael Time, Arthur C. Brooks and Dr. Bruce Powell. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Russell N. James III for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/09/2026.

Russell N. James III Speaking Topics

  • Top 10 charitable financial planning strategies for advisors: Helping your clients and your business with charitable planning

    This session gives the top approaches to helping your clients and growing your practice using charitable planning with special tips related to the new tax law. Participants will learn how to provide tremendous benefit to clients, while improving their own assets under management, with charitable planning. Topics include gifts from retirement plans, gifts of appreciated assets, the use of private foundations, and life insurance.

  • Top 10 inheritance myths: What really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving in the “Great Wealth Transfer”

    The “Great Wealth Transfer” is everywhere. But much of the story people tell about it is wrong. Absurd dollar estimates. Young heirs. Lasting family wealth. Decedent values preserved. Automatic windfalls for nonprofits. But the true story is often very different. We’ll examine the data on what really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving. Whether you work with nonprofits, heirs, or families planning their estates, this session will help you replace comforting assumptions with more realistic and effective strategies.

  • Baby Boomers and planned giving: A very special generation or just typical old people?

    In this irreverent and entertaining session, Dr. James reviews nationally representative data on Baby Boomers and their planned giving. Beyond simple statistics, this session demonstrates how these demographic realities, and age-related psychological factors, should change how and when you communicate planned giving information to Boomers. If you want a session based on hard data that goes beyond "just so" stories with obligatory pictures of Woodstock, Vietnam, and Neil Armstrong - then this is the place for you!

  • The hidden code of end-of-life decisions: What estate and financial planners can learn from decision-making in life insurance, annuities, planned giving, estate planning, and healthcare

    Death is different. When it comes to making decisions involving end-of-life, people respond in unusual ways. In this presentation, Professor James brings together scientific and demographic research from a range of end-of-life decisions to uncover remarkably consistent principles of what works in persuasive communication. Understanding this “hidden code” will change the way you think, and talk, about estate planning and financial giving.

  • Top 10 inheritance myths: What really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving in the “Great Wealth Transfer”

    The “Great Wealth Transfer” is everywhere. But much of the story people tell about it is wrong. Absurd dollar estimates. Automatic windfalls for nonprofits. Young heirs. Lasting family wealth. Decedent values preserved. But the true story is often very different. We’ll examine the data on what really happens to heirs, wealth, and giving. Whether you work with nonprofits, heirs, or families planning their estates, this session will help you replace comforting assumptions with more realistic and effective strategies.

  • How do I book Russell N. James III to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Russell N. James III for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Russell N. James III, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Russell N. James III or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Russell N. James III for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Russell N. James III, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Russell N. James III are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Russell N. James III, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Russell N. James III speak about?

    Russell N. James III is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Finance, Government, Law, Non-Profit, Professors, Education, Storytelling, Social Activism and Philanthropy.
  • Where does Russell N. James III travel from?

    Russell N. James III generally travels from Lubbock, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Russell N. James III?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Russell N. James III for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Russell N. James III for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Russell N. James III or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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