IN MEMORIAM
TO: Clients and Friends of Ariel Investments
FROM: John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and Co-CEO
Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President
DATE: April 25, 2025
RE: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Malik T. Murray
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Malik Murray, on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Malik was Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development at Ariel, where he spent over two decades building meaningful relationships and driving Ariel’s growth with vision and heart.
He joined the firm in 2004 as an internal sales associate, bringing a quiet confidence, sharp intellect and deep respect for every client and teammate. Malik’s rise through the company—Vice President of Institutional Marketing in 2009, Senior Vice President in 2017 and Head of Business Development in 2021—reflected not only his talent, but also the trust he earned from all who worked with him.
Malik’s influence extended far beyond job titles. His towering physical stature at 6’8” was matched by the kindness, empathy and humility he brought to every conversation. As a former collegiate basketball player and NBA referee, Malik’s love for athletics shaped his team-first mentality. He was a coach to many Ariel teammates, investing time and effort into the development of talent across departments.
Outside of Ariel, Malik was a devoted leader in the Chicago community and served on the board of directors of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He was a trustee at DePaul University and a former board member of his high school alma mater, Saint Ignatius College Prep. He established the Malik T. Murray Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Basketball and Finance at DePaul, as well as the Linda Diane Murray Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund at Saint Ignatius in honor of his mother. His commitment to education and service will leave a lasting impact on future generations.
Malik’s contributions to Ariel and our industry were immeasurable. While we grieve this tremendous loss, we are focused on carrying his work forward with the same thoughtfulness he exemplified. Our client service and marketing teams remain available to address your needs and priorities at any time.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your condolences, trust and support as we honor Malik’s legacy. Malik left an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to know him, and he will be deeply missed.
His memorial and funeral service will be held in Chicago on May 2 and May 3. Please visit Malik Murray Memorial for additional details.
