John’s passion for investing started when he was 12 years old when his father bought him stocks every birthday and every Christmas instead of toys. His interest grew while majoring in economics at Princeton University. After graduation, he worked as a stockbroker for 2½ years at William Blair & Company, LLC—a regional investment banking firm. In 1983, John founded Ariel Investments to focus on undervalued small and medium-sized companies. Patience served as the cornerstone of a disciplined approach that still drives the firm today. Beyond Ariel, John is a regular financial contributor to Forbes Magazine and currently serves as a board member of Aon Corporation, Exelon Corporation and McDonald’s Corporation. Additionally, he is a former chairman of the Economic Club of Chicago, a director of the Chicago Urban League, a trustee of the University of Chicago and a member of the board of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, where he chairs the investment committee. In 2008, John was awarded Princeton University’s highest honor, the Woodrow Wilson Award, presented each year to the alumnus whose career embodies a commitment to national service. Following the election of President Barack Obama, he served as co-chair for the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009. Last year, John was also appointed by President Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability. Additionally in 2010, John was named an Outstanding Director by the Outstanding Directors Exchange for his leadership on governance, management and diversity in the boardroom. He received an AB in economics from Princeton University where he was also captain of the varsity basketball team. 

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 Ariel Investment Trust. Beyond her work at Ariel, Mellody has become a nationally recognized voice on financial literacy and investor education. Specifically, she is a regular financial contributor on Good Morning America, 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 the Ariel/Hewitt Study: 401(k) Plans in Living Color and the Ariel/Schwab Black Investor Survey, both of which examine investing patterns among minorities. Mellody is a director of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Groupon, Inc., and Starbucks Corporation. In addition, she serves on the boards of various civic organizations including The Field Museum, The Chicago Public Education Fund and the Sundance Institute. She is also on the board of governors of the Investment Company Institute. Mellody earned her AB degree from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations and Public Policy. She also received an honorary doctorate degree in humanities from Howard University.