John Rogers of Ariel Investments
Meet the CEO of the world's 4th largest black-owned asset manager
In 1980, John W. Rogers, Jr., then 22, was the first African American professional hired at William Blair & Company. Today, as founder, chairman and CEO of Ariel Investments, LLC, the world’s fourth largest black-owned asset manager, creating opportunities for diverse professionals remains a main focus of John’s life.
“If you create an environment where people see successful leaders from diverse backgrounds, it makes everyone feel welcome,” he explains. “They feel everything is possible.” John serves on the corporate boards of McDonald’s Corporation, Exelon Corporation and Aon Corporation (corporations he mentions as leading the way to an inclusive workforce). Additionally, he is chairman of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Board of Trustees, a trustee of the University of Chicago, a director of the Chicago Urban League as well as a member of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
In addition, seven years ago, he and Russell Reynolds Associates’ Charles Tribbett created the Black Corporate Directors Conference. Perhaps among the best examples of John’s commitment to diversity in action is anecdotal. Drinking from a McDonald’s cup and wearing an Obama tie, he recalls how, nearly 20 years ago, he recommended a then-Ariel intern for a summer position with T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., who was having difficulties finding diverse candidates to fill their ranks. The promising intern was Mellody Hobson; today, Mellody is president of Ariel. “All we need is the ability to get in the door,” John says, “and then dramatic, dynamic results will occur.”
Read an extended Q&A with John Rogers
is managing editor and electronic media editor of Today's Chicago Woman. She is active in various local and national women’s groups, including Step Up Women's Network, Rape Victim Advocates and the TCW Foundation, and is a member of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Young Professionals. She writes and speaks about local, national and international women's issues, including in her blog, “Twice As Well."
