"Good Morning America's" Financial Contributor Solves the Money Mystery
Des Moines, Iowa – July 26, 2007 – As a dedicated partner to women business owners, the Principal Financial Group® has enlisted Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Capital Management and "Good Morning America" financial contributor, as the speaker for the complimentary teleclass, "Money Matters: Five Questions Every Woman Should Ask Her Financial Advisor." The program, to be held August 28, is part of the award-winning educational series that provides tangible advice to entrepreneurs.
According to a survey conducted by The Center for Women's Business Research, over half of all women business owners (57 percent) have a line of credit to grow their business and 41 percent have a commercial bank loan, proving it is crucial for women entrepreneurs to be financially savvy and responsible for where and how they spend their money.
"Mellody is one of the most highly recognized women in business as the president of a multi-billion dollar company and a prominent television contributor," said Michelle Swanda, advertising officer, The Principal®. "It is truly an honor to have her take part in the teleclass series, as she can provide women entrepreneurs with strategic tips to make sound business decisions."
The teleclass series, launched in 2003, features frequent and diverse speakers from bestselling author Suzy Welch, to internationally-renowned organization and time management expert Julie Morgenstern, to chocolate visionary and multi-million dollar business owner Katrina Markoff.
Held on "Teleclass Tuesdays," the sessions are exclusively designed to meet the needs of a growing business owner. Each session allows the audience unique interaction in a casual format with nationally-recognized business leaders and thinkers, many of whom are women entrepreneurs themselves.
Meet the Speaker
Hobson is president of Ariel Capital Management, LLC, a Chicago-based investment management firm with over $21 billion in assets under management for institutional investors and mutual fund shareholders. In addition to this role, Hobson serves as a financial contributor for "Good Morning America." She has talked viewers through topics such as, "tips for women starting a business" and "retirement plan tips."
Her tireless compassion for her community has lead her to take on roles with a variety of civic and professional institutions, including serving as board member of the Chicago Public Library and its foundation, The Field Museum, The Chicago Public Education Fund and The Sundance Institute. She is also a member of the board of directors for DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Starbucks Corporation. Additionally, she serves as a trustee of Princeton University and a term member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations.
A graduate of Princeton University, Hobson's achievements and leadership have earned her numerous honors. In 2004, The Wall Street Journal profiled Hobson as one of 50 "Women to Watch" in the corporate world. In 2004, Time magazine identified her as one of "25 business influentials setting the global standards for management, ethics, marketing and innovation." In 2001, Fortune magazine recognized her as one of 25 "Next-Generation Global Leaders."
How to Get Involved
Register for teleclasses, hear audio of past classes and garner leading resources on a wealth of growing business issues from fellow business owners at www.principal.com/women. Classes are held at 12 p.m. Central (1 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Mountain and 10 a.m. Pacific) on the dates scheduled.
About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $270.1 billion in assets under management2 and serves clients worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
1 "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.
2 As of March 31, 2007
