4. Mellody Hobson
Job title: President, Ariel Investments
Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, a $3 billion mutual fund company in Chicago.
Her firm's value-driven approach has led its flagship Ariel Fund in the past decade to outperform the S&P 500 by more than 6% a year.
Known for doling out financial advice to millions on ABC's Good Morning America and for her keen fashion sense, Hobson is also a board member of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Estee Lauder Companies and Starbucks.
NEXT: Olivier Sarkozy
