Arielle Patrick Joins Ariel Investments as New Chief Communications Officer—What It Means for the Asset Management Giant

In a significant leadership shake-up, Ariel Investments has tapped Arielle Patrick to helm its communications function, starting December 9, 2020. Patrick will take a seat on the firm’s Operating Committee and answer directly to co-CEO Mellody Hobson, signaling the communications role’s elevated importance in the organization.

The move underscores Ariel’s commitment to strengthening its public-facing operations. “We’re always hunting for exceptional talent,” Hobson remarked, highlighting that Patrick’s track record in corporate reputation, brand strategy, and crisis management will be instrumental both in client-facing communications and internal culture-building.

Who Is Arielle Patrick?

Patrick isn’t a newcomer to high-stakes communications. Before joining Ariel Investments, she served as Executive Vice President and Transaction Director at Edelman, where she managed complex financial communications for major M&A deals and corporate restructurings. Her tenure at Weber Shandwick, another global communications powerhouse, further solidified her expertise in crisis management and reputation building.

Beyond her corporate work, Patrick sits on multiple boards and advisory roles—from The Harbor Sciences & Arts Charter School to Yellowstone National Park’s foundation—reflecting a broader commitment to public service and emerging innovation ecosystems.

What Does Arielle Patrick Bring to the Table?

Patrick’s mandate at Ariel Investments encompasses media relations, internal communications, branding, content strategy, and leadership communications. Her leadership will be critical as the firm navigates an increasingly competitive and scrutiny-heavy asset management landscape.

Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer John W. Rogers, Jr. emphasized this: “Arielle will strengthen our tradition of transparent stakeholder engagement and inject fresh innovation into how we communicate our nearly 40-year track record.”

The Context: Ariel’s Scale and Influence

For context, Ariel Investments manages approximately $13 billion in assets across five mutual funds and 11 separate account strategies, serving both individual and institutional investors. The Chicago-headquartered firm operates offices in New York, Washington D.C., and Sydney, positioning itself as a global player in value-based asset management.

Patrick’s appointment signals that asset managers of scale are doubling down on communications leadership—a smart play in an era where reputation, ESG focus, and stakeholder alignment matter as much as alpha generation.