Mellody Hobson to Serve as University of Southern California Commencement Speaker

The University of Southern California has tapped Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson to serve as its 2015 commencement speaker.

On May 15, Hobson will deliver a speech to more than 60,000 members of the Trojan family and share words of wisdom with the young graduating leaders. In addition to serving as a speaker, Hobson will also receive an honorary degree for her contributions as a civic, academic and arts leader in the community.

[Related: Day 2: Mellody Hobson Talks Career Success and Being Unapologetically Black]

As head of one of the largest African American owned money  management fund companies in the nation, Hobson first began her career at Ariel Investments as an intern from Princeton University. Speaking at Black Enterprise’s 10th Annual Women of Power Summit, Hobson opened up about her career journey to success and her determination to be at the top of the corporate ladder. In addition to her work at Ariel, the Chicago native is the chairwoman of DreamWorks Animation, director of The Estée Lauder Companies and Starbucks Corp., and is the chairwoman of After School Matters, which is a nonprofit that provides extracurricular programs for Chicago teens. Hobson also serves on the boards of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and The Chicago Public Education Fund, and was appointed emeritus trustee of the Sundance Institute.

On May 15th she will receive her honorary degree from USC alongside other community leaders like Attorney General of California Kamala Harris, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, and many more.