Mellody Hobson, 54, grew up in a single-parent, low-income household. Her mother's money habits made her financially anxious at a young age. "There was just a shortage at all times. We would get ...

Today, Hobson serves as the co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, overseeing a firm that manages more than $16.8 billion in assets. Under her leadership, Ariel has not only grown its ...