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.

  Tom: Good morning, Mellody. You are here today to explain what the strong dollar means. Mellody: Good morning! I am, Tom. Over the past few months, you have probably heard people talking about the strong dollar – and for good reason! The dollar has been gaining ground against all major currencies. The euro dropped […]

  TOM: Good morning! MELLODY: Good morning, Tom. Tom: We have a serious topic this morning – subprime  lending is making a comeback. Mellody: That’s right, Tom. In recent months we have seen subprime lending surge, and there have been some worrying signs that the practice that was responsible for the housing crisis is bleeding […]

  Tom: Today we are talking about the minimum wage – again! What’s the latest, Mellody? Mellody: It certainly is a topic that keeps popping up, as we continue to have discussions in this country about the increasing wealth inequality, the challenges that are facing many Americans on the lower rungs of the economic ladder, and […]

Mellody Hobson talks about tax season in today’s “Money Mondays” segment. Tom: It’s that time of year again, and we are talking about taxes! Mellody: We certainly are, Tom. While it may seem like you have plenty of time left, there are only 8 more weeks until the April tax filing deadline. Employers are sending […]

  Tom: Good morning, Mellody! Mellody is president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts. Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. Mellody: Good morning, Tom. Tom: You are digging into the differences between men […]

  Mellody is President of Ariel investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts.  Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. Tom: Good morning, Mellody!   Mellody:  Good morning, Tom! TOM: Today you have a reminder for […]

  Mellody Hobson is President of Ariel investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts. Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. Tom: Good morning!   Mellody: Good morning, Tom.   Tom: What is on tap this […]

  Mellody is president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts.  Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. Tom: Good morning!   Mellody:  Good morning, Tom. Tom: you are joining us this morning to […]

  Mellody is President of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts. Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. TOM: Happy New Year, Mellody! MELLODY:  Same to you, Tom! TOM: This morning you are going to […]

  Mellody is President of Ariel investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts. Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. Skip: There were some jitters on the markets last week. You are here this morning to help […]

  Mellody Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, a Chicago-based money management firm that serves individual investors and retirement plans through its no-load mutual funds and separate accounts. Additionally, she is a regular financial contributor and analyst for CBS News. TOM: You’re talking about wages this morning?   MELLODY: I am, Tom. We have talked a […]

For iPhone:   Cyber Monday is big business. Last year, Americans spent over $1.7 billion online the Monday following Thanksgiving, an 18% increase over 2012, the fourth straight year of double digit growth. But anytime people are logging on and spending money, you are going to find scammers trying to take advantage of you. So, […]