The Economic Club of Chicago

What an incredible night at the The Economic Club of Chicago - we were treated to an inspiring conversation between Mellody Hobson and Queen Latifah. These women are icons and close friends, and what a joy it was to witness them together on stage. Chicago’s business and civic community came out in force for this event!

Always a great time at The Economic Club of Chicago but last night was a true highlight of the year! The program featured Mellody Hobson, interviewed by her friend Queen Latifah. I was truly inspired by the conversation. I have been called relentless once or twice in my life 🙃 and chuckled when Hobson used the same word to describe herself. And her innovative approach to her work - like Project Black or her new book on financial literacy - is exactly the kind of disruptive solutioning to problems we seek to design in the work we do @ NielsenIQ. Really inspiring stuff. Was also great to introduce my colleague (and Chicago transplant) Bassel Adel to the club! Looking forward to many more great evenings with ECC.

One night with the QUEEN. 👑 It was a packed ballroom for the interview of Mellody Hobson by the one and only Queen Latifah for The Economic Club of Chicago last night. Loved seeing so many friends Mark Ishaug Patricia Brown Holmes Wasim K. Bleibel Karina Wong Christina O. Alabi Kimberly A. Cook,Esq. Travis S. Cook Tanya B. Jason Cummings Gemara' Williams, MBA Wanji Walcott Laura Schwartz Anne Becker Katherine Minarik Christine Bedi

Last night's The Economic Club of Chicago dinner was a great way to end the year. Mellody Hobson dropped so many leadership gems that left me feeling inspired for 2025. Oh and the surprise of the night was that she was interviewed by the QUEEN! 🖤 Of course it was great to see some of my favorite people in Chicago! Sarah Berghorst Myetie Hamilton Melissa Washington Nicole R Robinson Sol A. Flores Andrea Sáenz Jeffery Beckham Jr Paula Daniliuc Sullivan Andrea Zopp D.L. Morriss Christa A. Hamilton

I recently posted about the importance of female friendships. That theme of female friendships was evident at last night's dinner from The Economic Club of Chicago which featured Mellody Hobson in conversation with Queen Latifah. Here are some of my favorite moments from their conversation: QL: "How is it you do so much and are such a good friend?" MH: "People are a form of fuel to me." QL: "What makes you an effective leader?" MH: "I can will things to happen....I'm a fast thinker...oh, I got it." On hustle, "I promise I'll be the #1 shoe salesperson at Neiman Marcus within a year." On empowering others, "When you're really comfortable with yourself, you'll share." On Project Black, "I want a slingshot out of the pandemic." On corporate board service, "As board chair, I speak last." And, finally, "the markets are stronger than governments; champions adapt." Thank you, Jill Nicholson, for co-hosting a table of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority sisters with me. Alpha Omicron Pi was founded at Barnard College in 1897 when four friends decided to create an organization based on character, dignity, scholarship and college loyalty. Our focus? Inspiring ambition in the next generation of women leaders and fostering lifelong friendships. And, thank you for joining us at our table: Cori McKeever Courtney Seal Janet Brown Jessie Wang-Grimm Joyce E. Coffee, LEED AP Kerry Sugrue Penny Megan Roudebush Navea Frazier Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation #inspireambition

“Be the labor big or small, do it great or not at all.” Mellody Hobson shared her mom’s advice and some of her own advice about leadership and investing last night at The Economic Club of Chicago dinner. My grandmother had a similar saying and it remains great advice. It was a gift to sit with Johara Farhadieh, Nada Litwin, Rolla T. Sweis, Pharm.D., M.A. Tarrah Cooper Wright, and Jamil Bou-Saab and to see Elif Oker, MD, FACEP, Sid Bala and so many other friends. And my kids were especially impressed that I saw their head of school Chris Dow!

Incredible evening listening and learning from Mellody Hobson and Queen Latifah at The Economic Club of Chicago with wonderful friends, clients, and colleagues Joy Ducey Miller Jennifer Ames Jennifer Cyra O'Brien McMahon Caleb Gardner Kelly Somers Evette Phillips Williams Maggie Rock Lindsey Balcazar ON-RIVER Consulting

Amazing The Economic Club of Chicago event with guest speaker Mellody Hobson and Queen Latifah! Paramita Das

Great life lessons, financial wisdom, and business advice offered by Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO at Ariel Investments, at the The Economic Club of Chicago tonight in her interview with Queen Latifah (George Lucas was watching). “I will things to happen. I’m a fast thinker, I got it. I ask a lot of questions. Solve problems. Care about the people I work with, look out for them. I can hustle in any job, I can sell shoes and be successful.” Lessons to offer: - If you’re in a crisis, I will help you. If you are chronically needy, I have a very hard time. If you need to be held, you shouldn’t work with me. - Double down on the stakes. - Don’t entertain negative thoughts. - Understand all your people need real friends to call them (even Michelle Obama). - Dream big, then dream bigger. Is it big enough? - Teach kids about money, talk to them and be real. - When you are really comfortable with yourself, you will share (responsibilities with others). - Boards need to treated equally. We don’t have boards within boards. - While on a board, come up with 2 original questions. Really great board members ask great questions that allow leadership to solve their own problems, not make rhetorical comments. - Champions adapt to their market. - Do it well or not at all. Nice to see many colleagues and friends tonight. Happy Holidays!

Among the priceless facts about money is Mellody Hobson’s quest to make it real for everyone so that more people have more opportunities in life. What an amazing The Economic Club of Chicago dinner featuring Mellody being interviewed by Queen Latifa. “I’m a fast thinker. I know how to hustle. I feel certain about my own abilities. That’s why I look out for others,” Hobson said. A star-studded dais too, including George Lucas, John W. Rogers, Jr., Bill Daley, Valerie Jarrett, Martin Cabrera Jr. and on and on. And then to reconnect with Katherine Gehl and Jenne Myers, well, enough said. Nice way to bring 2024 toward a smooth and inspiring landing. #mellodyhobson #money #facts #leadership #ecc