Diversity in Corporate America: Chicago Native Mellody Hobson to Become Chair at Starbucks by Donna John

Starbucks has named finance executive Mellody Hobson to lead its board as chair, replacing Myron Ullman who is retiring. This move makes Hobson one of the highest-profile black directors in America. Hobson became vice chair and Ullman chair back in 2018 when Howard Schultz stepped down. Hobson, 51, president of Ariel Investments in Chicago and director on the board at Starbucks since 2005, will transition into this role in March. 

Hobson, a native of Chicago, “worked her way up after joining Ariel as a college intern in the 1990s, going on to become the company’s vice president of marketing, then a senior vice president, and eventually president at the firm,” according to Fortune. For Hobson, community outreach has always been a priority. She currently is chair on the board of directors at The Economic Club of Chicago, and After School Matters, a nonprofit providing teenagers with programs after school hours.

"She has a grace and graciousness about her that is singular,” Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, told Bethany McClean in an article for Vanity Fair. “She is remarkably unique. She’s a stunning person. I get a little nervous talking about her because the words are so flowery. But it’s truly how I feel about her.”

We have no doubt she will bring that grace and graciousness to her chair role at Starbucks. 

Photo: George Lucas and Mellody Hobson at the 2017 LACMA Art + Film Gala Honoring Mark Bradford And George Lucas held at the LACMA in Los Angeles, USA on November 4, 2017 (Bigstock)

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