Mellody Hobson Is The First Black Woman To Emerge Economic Club Of Chicago’s Chairman

Mellody Hobson has become the first black woman to chair Economic Club Of Chicago.

Mellody Hobson is best known as the President of Ariel Investments a minority-owned investment firm where they have over $11 billion under asset management. She is a self-made multimillionaire.

Hobson was selected to be Chairman of the Economic Club of Chicago by that body’s sitting Chairman Ilene Gordon, who also made history as the Club’s first female Chairman.

The Economic Club of Chicago’s purpose is to bring together of the city’s business leaders. The Club prides itself on having a Board of Directors which mirrors the diverse nature of the city it serves.

Hobson, 48, is set to assume her new position July 1 and will join the board of 47 members, 16 of whom are women and 13 of whom are minorities, per president and CEO of the Economic Club, Donna Zarcone. Hobson has been a member of the Economic Club, which works to connect Chicago’s leaders, for almost 21 years.