Today for our series of women leaders in finance we introduce Mellody Hobson, President and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, the largest minority owned investment firm.
Who is she?
She is President and co-CEO of Ariel Investments. She was recently named chair of the Board of Directors of Starbucks starting on May 2021, and in 2017 she became the first African-American woman to chair the Economic Club of Chicago.
How did she start?
She has a degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations from Princeton University. During her sophomore year, she became the first undergrad intern to study under the portfolio manager Jack LaPorte, at Ariel Investments.
How did she get there?
She joined Ariel Investments in 1991 where she has been working for almost 30 years, growing with the firm to become its co-CEO and President. She is one of the most powerful voices on financial literacy, investor education, and diversity & inclusion.
What is her advice?
"I would say, you can stand out. I would say speak your truth and be bold with your ideas... Sometimes we as women and minorities we try to fit in... I would encourage women and people of color going into this industry to speak their truth"