At Ariel, we understand that it takes more than excellent performance to win the race – it also requires outstanding service. We strive to provide both to each and every client, big or small. This means that as hard as we work to uncover value in our investment process, we are equally determined to deliver value through superior, individualized service.
Ariel’s manageable client roster certainly plays a role in our superior service; it enables clients to receive the personal attention they deserve.
Our clients deserve to fully understand the reasons behind our investment decisions – that’s true for institutional clients and mutual fund investors alike. We provide monthly and/or quarterly performance results and unique market reports on a quarterly basis. In addition, we make ourselves available to meet with institutional clients to discuss our investment strategies as frequently as requested.
Perhaps the greatest advantage to our client stems from the fact that each and every Ariel employee holds a financial stake in our firm. Moreover, by investing the majority of our own savings, profit sharing, and retirement dollars in both our firm and our mutual funds, our personal financial success is squarely aligned with that of our clients.
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Merrillyn J. Kosier
Executive Vice President
Chief Marketing Officer, Mutual Funds
Merrillyn is responsible for all aspects of the firm’s mutual fund business from marketing and shareholder services to Ariel’s online presence. Additionally, as chief marketing officer, she oversees all brand-building and client servicing efforts related to the funds. More specifically, she is in charge of media and public relations, investor communications and third-party distribution, including retirement platforms. Merrillyn also serves on the board of trustees for Ariel Investments and is president of Ariel Distributors, LLC. Prior to joining Ariel in 1999, she served as a senior executive at the Acorn family of funds and Kemper Financial Services. Merrillyn is the former chairman of the Mutual Fund Education Alliance as well as a current board member of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance and the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. She earned a BBA in marketing from Andrews University and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago, where she currently serves on the council of regents and the advisory board for the School of Business Administration.
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Aimee Daley
Vice President, Marketing Communications
Aimee manages Ariel’s relationships with all third-party strategic partners, such as broker-dealers, trusts and record-keepers. Additionally, she works closely with our Fund Administration and Legal Teams to screen new third-party relationships, manage contract review and handle operational issues related to the funds. She is responsible for managing the content of the mutual fund marketing reports presented to Ariel Investments board of Directors as well as the board of trustees for Ariel Investment Trust. Prior to joining Ariel in 1999, Aimee worked at the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, DC as a lead research associate specializing in human resources best practices. She graduated from the University of Michigan, where she earned a BA in history with honors.
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Khoa X. Ho
Vice President, Investor Services
Khoa manages the firm's Investor Services Team—a group of licensed professionals dedicated to providing mutual fund shareholders with exceptional customer service—both at Ariel and our transfer agent, U.S. Bancorp. Additionally, he is an Ariel spokesperson for financial literacy, frequently speaking in the community about "Investing 101" to educate the public on the fundamentals of mutual fund investing. Prior to joining the firm in 2001, Khoa worked at Goldman Sachs as an account analyst and in the Marketing Department at The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business. He is a board member of Vital Bridges, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those impacted by HIV and AIDS. He earned a BA in biology from the University of Chicago.
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Shanita Smith
Investment Specialist
As an investment specialist on Ariel's Investor Services Team, Shanita works directly with current and prospective investors to educate them about the firm’s mutual fund offerings as well as provide account related services. Shanita also oversees Ariel's mutual fund fulfillment operations and represents the firm at conferences and tradeshows. Additionally, she assists with Ariel's sponsorship requests, the creation of shareholder marketing materials as well as the design and development of our mutual funds' prospectus. Shanita joined Ariel in 2006 as a compliance analyst in the firm's Legal & Compliance Department. Previously, she worked as a consultant at Vista 360, LLC and as a product compliance analyst at First American Advisors in Minneapolis. Shanita belongs to the American Marketing Association and is a board member of CASA of Cook County, a non-profit dedicated to helping abused and neglected children in the foster care system. She is also a co-chair of events for Chicago Financial Women. Shanita graduated with a BA in economics from the University of Wisconsin.
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Erin Richardson
Investment Specialist
Erin is an investment specialist on Ariel’s Investor Services Team. In this capacity, she introduces our mutual fund offerings to prospective investors and provides account-related services to current shareholders. Additionally, she assists with the firm’s "Investing 101" efforts by coordinating educational events within the community. Prior to joining Ariel in 2008, Erin worked on the wholesale side for Van Kampen Funds. Beyond Ariel, Erin is an active volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She earned her BS in chemistry from Lewis University.
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