Charlton Center to host Mellody Hobson, president & CEO of Ariel Investments and chairwoman of Starbucks Corp.

Detroit Mercy’s College of Business Administration (CBA) will host Mellody Hobson, president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments and chairwoman of Starbucks Corp., for a virtual presentation on Monday, Jan. 24 at 4:45 p.m.

Hobson’s talk is the first in the inaugural speaking series for the CBA’s newly established program, the Charlton Center for Responsible Investing. The Center works to promote academic excellence and provide leading experiential training to students pursuing careers in the investment and investment-related financial services industry.

“We are honored to have this industry trailblazer as the inaugural speaker in our series. Her accomplishments as a business leader, board member, activist and philanthropist are noteworthy. Her efforts to promote greater diversity in the financial services industry and her company's contributions in the area of responsible investing align with our Center's overall mission,” explained Dawna Edwards-Rogers, director of the Charlton Center.

Hobson will participate in a virtual fireside chat with Edwards-Rodgers. Some of the topics they will discuss include the following:

• The place for socially responsible investments in portfolios.
• Trends in corporate governance.
• Shared insights for female professionals seeking Board seats.
• Why diversity in the financial services industry is necessary.
• The role of academia in promoting ethical behavior among investment professionals.
• What makes a great business leader.

Hobson’s distinguished career includes membership on several boards, including JPMorgan Chase, World Business Chicago, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and the George Lucas Education Foundation. She previously served as chairwoman of DreamWorks Animation and as a long-standing board member of Estée Lauder Companies. She also serves on the boards of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Rockefeller Foundation, and the executive committee of the Investment Company Institute. She earned her AB from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.

Those interested in attending the virtual presentation must register in advance.

Learn more about the Charlton Center for Responsible Investing.

Learn more about Detroit Mercy's College of Business Administration.