A Chicago-based mutual fund shop just added a second Obama administration alumnus to its board.

Valerie Jarrett Ariel Investments Member, Board of Directors

John Rogers, founder, chairman, and CEO of Ariel Investments [profile], confirms that Valerie Jarrett has been elected to Ariel's board of directors. Jarrett served as senior advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama, head of the Office of Public Engagement, head of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Another Obama administration veteran, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, joined the Ariel board five months ago, in October 2016.

The Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business both reported on Jarrett's appointment.

Rogers notes that Jarrett's father, James Bowman, "was one of [Ariel's] original directors until his death."

"There is a great sense of symmetry and continuity with Valerie joining our board," Rogers states.

Both Jarrett and Duncan held high profile Chicago roles before they joined the Obama administration in 2009. And Rogers, in turn, has longstanding ties to Obama. 

Edited by: Neil Anderson, Managing Editor


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