Mellody Louise Hobson Lucas[1][2] (born April 3, 1969) is an American businesswoman who is president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments,[3] and current chair of Starbucks.[4] She is the former chairman of DreamWorks Animation,[5] having stepped down after negotiating the acquisition of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., by NBCUniversal in August 2016. In 2017, she became the first African-American woman to head The Economic Club of Chicago.[6] On December 26, 2020 it was announced she would become chair of Starbucks in 2021, thus becoming the first black woman to chair an S&P 500 company,[7] making her one of the highest profile corporate directors in the United States.[8] She would serve in the role of chair until August 2024.[4]
Soon after her graduation from Princeton, Hobson joined Ariel Investments, a Chicago investment firm that manages over $14 billion in assets [12] as an intern. She rose to become the firm's senior vice president and director of marketing.[13] In 2000,[citation needed] she ascended to become the company's president.[14] Ariel Investments is one of the largest African American-owned money management and mutual fund companies in the US.[10] She was a contributor to financial segments on Good Morning America and CBS This Morning for many years.[14]
Hobson is also chairman of the board of trustees of Ariel Investment Trust and formerly a spokesperson for the annual Ariel/Schwab Black Investor Survey.[citation needed]
In 2017, Hobson was named to head the Economic Club of Chicago, the first African-American woman to do so.[18] In August, Hobson guest hosted CBS Sunday Morning's annual "Money Issue" episode.[19]
In June 2018, Hobson was named as vice-chair of Starbucks Corporation.[20] After heading the finance committee she was elected to chair the board in 2020.[8] Following the replacement of Laxman Narasimhan as Starbucks CEO on August 13, 2024, it was also announced that Hobson will step down as chair effective September 9, and become lead independent director.[4]
Hobson appeared on the Jack Good Show in August 2017, where she accepted the City of Birmingham's deepest appreciation for her charitable work with Birmingham's Bright Leaders of Tomorrow.[26]
In the American television drama The Good Wife, actress Vanessa L. Williams based her character, self-made businesswoman Courtney Paige, on Hobson, studying her via Hobson's TED talks.[28]
Personal life
Hobson began dating film director and producer George Lucas in 2006, after they met at a business conference in 2005.[29][30] Hobson and Lucas announced their engagement in January 2013,[31] and were married on June 22, 2013, at Lucas' Skywalker Ranch.[32] They have one daughter together, Everest Hobson Lucas, who was born via surrogacy in August 2013.[33]
^ abcSorkin, AR; Mattu; R; Warner, B; Kessler, S; de la Merced, MJ; Hirsch, L & Livni, E (August 13, 2024). "Starbucks Replaces Chief Executive After Activist Investor Campaigns". NYTimes.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024. The coffee chain hires Chipotle's Brian Niccol to take over from Laxman Narasimhan, ending a rocky stint marked slowing sales and a slumping stock price. ... Mellody Hobson, who was instrumental in the hiring of Narasimhan, will stay on the board as lead independent director, but cede her role as chairwoman.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Art, The Lucas Museum of Narrative (July 4, 2023). "George Lucas". The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.