Founder, Chairman, Co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer; Lead Portfolio Manager, Ariel Fund Co-Portfolio Manager, Ariel Small Cap Value, Ariel Small Cap Value Concentrated, and Ariel Small/Mid Cap Value. John’s passion for investing began at age 12 when his father started buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew while in college and over the two-plus years he worked as a stockbroker for William Blair & Company. In 1983, he founded Ariel to invest in undervalued small- and medium-sized companies. While Ariel’s research capabilities have since expanded, his patient approach still anchors the firm today. John is active civically and professionally based on his belief that these engagements make him a better leader and a better investor. He is a member of the board of directors of NIKE, The New York Times Company, Ryan Specialty Group Holdings, and the Obama Foundation. John also serves on the board of trustees of the University of Chicago. John received an AB in economics from Princeton University, where he was also captain of the varsity basketball team.

Executive Vice President; Portfolio Manager, Ariel Fund; Co-Portfolio Manager, Ariel Small Cap Value, Ariel Small Cap Value Concentrated, Ariel Small/Mid Cap Value, Ariel Mid Cap Value and Ariel Appreciation Fund. Ken functions as Portfolio Manager for Ariel Fund. He also serves as Co-Portfolio Manager for our small cap value, small cap value concentrated small/mid cap value and mid cap value strategies, including Ariel Appreciation Fund. In his research capacity, Ken covers consumer products and services and industrials. Prior to joining Ariel as a research analyst in 2004, he spent more than two years with William Blair & Company, most recently as a senior investment banking analyst. Ken also worked as a senior auditor at KPMG, LLP. Beyond his responsibilities at Ariel, Ken serves on the board of trustees of the Shedd Aquarium and sits on their finance and audit and animal care and conservation committees. Additionally, he is on the advisory board of After School Matters where he chairs the investment committee and is a member of the finance committee. Ken earned a BS in accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.