Mellody Hobson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mellody Hobson
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Hobson in 2007
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| Born | April 3, 1969 |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 1 (Everest Hobson Lucas) |
Mellody Hobson (born April 3, 1969) is a successful American businesswoman. She is the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, a company that helps people manage their money. She also used to be the chair of Starbucks, a very well-known coffee company.
Mellody Hobson made history in 2021 when she became the first Black woman to lead a company listed on the S&P 500 index. This made her one of the most important corporate leaders in the United States. She was also the first African-American woman to lead The Economic Club of Chicago. In 2020, Forbes magazine named her one of the "World's 100 Most Powerful Women."
Contents
Early Life and School
Mellody Hobson was born on April 3, 1969. She was the youngest of six children in her family. She went to high school at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, graduating in 1987. After that, she studied at Princeton University and finished her degree in 1991.
Her Career Journey
Soon after graduating from Princeton, Mellody Hobson started working at Ariel Investments in Chicago. She began as an intern, learning about how the company manages money for people. Ariel Investments is one of the largest money management companies in the U.S. that is owned by African Americans.
Mellody quickly moved up in the company. She became a senior vice president and then the director of marketing. In 2000, she became the president of Ariel Investments. She also shared financial advice on TV shows like Good Morning America for many years.
Mellody Hobson has been a leader on the boards of many important organizations. These include JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. She was also on the board of Starbucks Corporation and used to be on the board of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Many magazines have recognized Mellody for her achievements. She was on Time magazine's "Time 100 List" in 2015, which names the world's most influential people. She was also featured in Ebony magazine as one of "20 Leaders of the Future" and in The Wall Street Journal as one of 50 "Women to Watch."
In 2009, Mellody Hobson created and hosted a TV show on ABC called Unbroke: What You Need to Know About Money. The show helped people learn about money in a fun way, with guests like the Jonas Brothers and Samuel L. Jackson.
In 2017, she became the first African-American woman to lead the Economic Club of Chicago. In 2018, she was named vice-chair of Starbucks Corporation. She later became the chair of the board in 2020. She stepped down as chair in August 2024 but continues to be a lead independent director.
In 2022, Mellody Hobson joined a group of investors who bought the Denver Broncos, a professional American football team.
Giving Back to the Community
Mellody Hobson is also known for her generous giving. In 2020, she and her family foundation made a large donation to help create a new living and learning building at Princeton University.
In 2024, Mellody Hobson and her husband, George Lucas, helped fund the restoration of an old film called Ghatashraddha. This important work was done by the Film Heritage Foundation.
Awards and Honors
Mellody Hobson has received many awards for her work and contributions. In 2017, she was honored by the City of Birmingham for her charity work with young leaders.
In 2018, she was given the Order of Lincoln. This is the highest honor given by the Governor of Illinois, her home state.
Personal Life
Mellody Hobson started dating film director and producer George Lucas in 2006. They had met at a business conference in 2005. They announced their engagement in January 2013 and got married on June 22, 2013, at Lucas' Skywalker Ranch.
Mellody and George have one daughter together, Everest Hobson Lucas, who was born in August 2013.
See also
- In Spanish: Mellody Hobson para niños
