Hedge Fund - Ariel Investments

Established in 1983 by John W. Rogers, Jr., who currently serves as the chairman and Co-CEO, Ariel Investments has been led by President Mellody Hobson since May 2000. In July 2019, Hobson assumed the role of Co-CEO alongside Rogers. The company, comprised of 107 employees, boasts an ownership structure where both the workforce and the board collectively own 95% of the firm. As of January 31, 2021, Ariel manages $15 billion in assets. Positioning itself as a minority-owned investment company, Ariel proudly asserts its status as the largest minority-owned investment firm in the industry.

John W. Rogers Jr. holds the positions of chairman, chief executive officer, and chief investment officer at Ariel Investments, a firm he established in 1983 in Chicago. The company provides no-load mutual funds for individual investors and manages separately managed accounts for institutions and high-net-worth individuals. Central to the firm's approach is a disciplined strategy rooted in patience, a principle that continues to guide its operations. John's fascination with investing began at the age of 12 when his father opted for stocks instead of traditional toys for birthdays and Christmas. This interest deepened during his time at Princeton, where, in addition to tracking stocks, he played basketball under the mentorship of Hall of Fame coach Pete Carril. Serving as captain of Princeton's varsity basketball team during his senior year, John absorbed valuable lessons in teamwork that significantly influenced his perspectives on entrepreneurship and investment.  On the other hand, in her role as Co-CEO, Mellody Hobson oversees management, strategic planning, and growth across all facets of Ariel Investments, excluding research and portfolio management. Additionally, she assumes the position of Chairman of the Board for Ariel's publicly traded mutual funds. Before stepping into the Co-CEO role, Mellody dedicated nearly two decades to serving as Ariel's President, having been with the firm since earning her AB from Princeton University’s School of International Relations and Public Policy. Mellody holds the position of Chairman of the Board at Starbucks Corporation and serves as a director of JPMorgan Chase. She previously held the Chairman role at DreamWorks Animation, contributing to the company’s successful sale. Mellody has been a longstanding board member of the Estée Lauder Companies and actively engages in various philanthropic initiatives.

Highlighting a selection of its managed funds, Ariel showcases impressive returns since inception. The Small Cap Value Fund boasts an 11.19% return, while the Small Cap Value Concentrated Fund demonstrates a remarkable 15.24% return. Additionally, the Ariel Small/Mid Cap Value Fund yields an 8.22% return, the Ariel Mid Cap Value Fund secures a solid 10.07% return, and the Ariel Focused Value Fund delivers a commendable 6.13% return over the same period.