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. So it’s not surprising that she has been named Chairman of the Economic Club of Chicago making her the first black woman to hold this position.

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. The incoming Board, which Hobson will chair, has among its 47 members 16 are women and 13 are from ethnic or racial minorities.

Hobson will bring so much to this position! Congratulations!