John W. Rogers Jr.

John W. Rogers Jr. studied economics at Princeton University, where he developed his deep interest in value investing. In 1983 at age 24, he founded Ariel Investments in Chicago with $200,000 in seed capital. Ariel became the first African American-owned mutual fund company in the United States and grew to manage over $18 billion. Rogers's investment philosophy is patient, fundamental value investing focused on small- and mid-cap companies — the "patient tortoise" that is Ariel's logo captures his philosophy of slow and steady compounding. He seeks businesses with strong management, clear competitive advantages, and prices below intrinsic value, holding them patiently for years. Rogers is one of the longest-serving active equity fund managers in the US industry. He has been a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in financial services, serving on the boards of major corporations and educational institutions. He serves on the board of the New York Stock Exchange and has mentored numerous minority investors and finance professionals. Rogers received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2010. His patient, conviction-driven approach and commitment to diversity have made him one of the most respected figures in the investment community.