As Co-CEO, Mellody is responsible for management, strategic planning and growth for all areas of Ariel Investments outside of research and portfolio management. Additionally, she serves as Chairman of the Board of Ariel’s publicly traded mutual funds. Prior to being named Co-CEO, Mellody spent nearly two decades as Ariel’s President. She has been with the firm since she earned her AB from Princeton University’s School of International Relations and Public Policy. Mellody currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Starbucks Corporation and a director of JPMorgan Chase. She previously served as Chairman of DreamWorks Animation, helping to facilitate the company’s sale. Mellody was also a long-standing board member of the Estée Lauder Companies and is deeply committed to a number of philanthropic endeavors.