About Mellody Hobson

Mellody Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago based money management firm that serves institutional clients through separately managed accounts as well as individual investors and 401(k) plans through its no load mutual funds. As president, Mellody is responsible for firm wide management and strategic planning, overseeing all operations outside of research and portfolio management. Additionally, she serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the mutual funds. She joined Ariel in 1991 after graduating from Princeton University where she received her degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations and Public Policy.

Mellody has become a nationally recognized voice on financial literacy and investor education. She is a regular financial contributor on “Good Morning America” and a featured guest on other ABC News programs including “World News Tonight,” “Nightline” and the 2009 special “Unbroke: What You Need to Know about Money” for which she served as executive producer and host. Mellody is also the featured consumer finance expert on Tom Joyner’s “Money Mondays” radio program and a regular columnist for Black Enterprise. In addition, she is a spokesperson for both the 2009 Ariel/Hewitt study, “401(k) Plans in Living Color” and the Ariel/Schwab Black Investor Surveys.

Beyond her work in finance and investor education, Mellody is actively involved with a variety of civic and professional institutions. Her community outreach includes serving as a board member of the Chicago Public Library and its foundation, The Field Museum, The Chicago Public Education Fund and The Sundance Institute. Additionally, she is on the board of governors of the Investment Company Institute and is a member of the SEC Investment Advisory Committee.

She is a director of three public companies: DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Starbucks Corporation. Mellody is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is a Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute. Additionally, in 2010, she received an honorary doctorate degree in humanities from Howard University for her contributions to both the university and the larger community.

This Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, and this morning, you have some financial advice related to love. Mellody: Tomorrow is the holiday we celebrate love, and many people will be exchanging cards, chocolate, and some may even pop the question – or answer it! So today, I want to talk about some topics related to partners and […]

  We start off this week with some news about identity fraud. And it is not good news, is that right? A recent study by Javelin Strategy & Research and identity-theft protection firm Lifelock found that more people were victims of identity fraud last year than at any point in over a decade. The study […]

  The Dow hit 20,000 last week. Why is it such a big deal that it crossed 20,000? It is a major milestone and a reminder of how far we have come since 2009 – more than triple the low we reached in March of that year. That said, the number itself is more symbolic […]

Is it already time to think about taxes again?  It really is. Time flies, and not just when we are having fun. Today marks the first day that you can file your taxes for 2016, so I think it is a good day to review the changes that listeners can expect this year. Some changes are […]

Today, we’re talking about investing as it relates to the news about Prince’s estate? You’ve got it. As details have emerged about Prince’s estate and his holdings, some interest has bubbled up about how he invested his wealth. And it was an unusual mix. He had a little over $100,00 in cash in four bank […]

  For this first Money Monday of the year, you are here to point out some stories to watch in 2017, correct? Mellody: That is correct! While I don’t have a crystal ball, it is clear there are some stories that we know we will need to keep an eye on this year. Each of […]

  Today’s Money Mondays segment focuses on interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee will meet this week, and most of the people that follow it believe that the Committee will raise interest rates. This is something we have been expecting for some time, but it looks more certain now with unemployment falling […]

What is new in the auto loan industry that we need to know about? Mellody: You may have already heard that the auto industry is booming. Last year, auto sales broke records. And in november, U.S. auto sales rose 3.7% compared with a year ago. Wage growth, consumer confidence, and cheap gas have all contributed […]

  We have a big reminder for the holiday shopping season, even though it has already kicked off. Mellody: I want to remind our listeners about seasonal fraudsters and scammers. It has almost become an annual tradition here at Money Monday, but it is important because every year sees criminals come up with new tactics […]

  The holiday shopping season is about to officially kick off. I am told you are with us today to dispel some myths about the big sales that start this Thursday, is that right? Every year, shoppers get excited for Black Friday sales so they can snag the best deal on that must-have toy or […]

  How will the presidential election impact our finances and the broader economy? Mellody: Obviously, the result of this election – the election of Donald Trump – will have huge consequences. Before we get to financial issues, we have to talk about the broader impact this will have on our community. We have seen the […]

  Tomorrow voters will choose the next president, but the election could see progress on the minimum wage front, too. Mellody: I am. As you know, the last few years have seen an increased focus on the minimum hourly wage in places around the country. From the “fight for 15” campaign among fast food and other […]