Our squad
Investment Committee
As Co-CEO, Mellody is responsible for management, strategic planning and growth for all areas of Ariel. Additionally, she chairs the board of the company’s publicly-traded mutual funds. Mellody joined Ariel in 1991 and spent over two decades as the firm’s President. In 2021, she co-founded Ariel Alternatives and helped launch its inaugural private equity fund, Project Black®. Beyond Ariel, Mellody serves as director of JPMorgan Chase and is the former chair of Starbucks Corporation. Mellody was a long-standing board member of the Estée Lauder Companies and former chair of the board of DreamWorks Animation, overseeing its sale in 2016. She is deeply committed to philanthropy and is a well-known advocate of financial literacy. In 2024, Mellody published a New York Times bestselling children’s book, Priceless Facts about Money. She earned her AB from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.
Rodney Cohen leads the investment activities at Ariel Alternatives and sits on the investment committee of Project Level. With more than three decades of investing and leadership experience, he has built and scaled investment platforms, executed complex transactions and partnered with management teams to drive long-term value creation across a broad range of industries. Before joining Ariel, Rodney served as Head of Private Equity Strategies at Black Diamond Capital Management, where he led opportunistic, complex and special situations transactions. Earlier in his career, he was a Managing Director at The Carlyle Group, where he co-led the firm’s middle market private equity business and helped launch the Carlyle Equity Opportunity Fund. He also co-founded Pegasus Capital Advisors and helped build the firm into a multi-billion-dollar private equity platform. Over the course of his career, Rodney has completed numerous control investments across sectors including consumer, industrials, media, sports, healthcare and business services. Notable investments include Beats Electronics, Carol’s Daughter, Cannondale, Air Methods and Lyman Products. Rodney earned a BA from Franklin & Marshall College and a JD from Columbia University.
Emma oversees firmwide legal, compliance, operations, technology and marketing functions supporting all Ariel-affiliated entities. Prior to Ariel, Emma served as general counsel, chief compliance officer and board secretary at LGIM America, a $220 billion asset management firm. She also served as general counsel at Mesirow Advanced Strategies. A former partner in the investment management practice at Faegre Drinker, she began her career at Sidley Austin LLP. Emma is an independent director of First Bank Chicago and a founder and board member of Angeles Investors, a Latino-focused angel investing group. She also serves on the boards of Chicago television station WTTW and classical music station WFMT. A native of Puerto Rico, Emma graduated summa cum laude with a BA in international business from Saint Louis University and earned her JD from the University of Chicago Law School.
As Managing Partner, Jason co-leads the Project Level investment team and helps oversee deal sourcing and execution, investment due diligence, portfolio management and value creation initiatives. He previously served as President of the Washington Commanders—the first Black president in the 105-year history of the National Football League (NFL), the youngest during his tenure and only the fourth former NFL player to serve in that role. At the Commanders, Jason was responsible for all business operations, helped secure development rights to the RFK stadium site and helped facilitate the team’s sale at a record high. Prior to the Commanders, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company. He spent seven years as a running back in the NFL and served as team captain and NFLPA player representative for the Arizona Cardinals. Jason currently serves on the board of two of our portfolio companies—Denver Summit FC, the 16th expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League—and League One Volleyball, an American volleyball organization reshaping the sport through a unified youth-to-pro model. He is also a board member of The Commit Foundation, a nonprofit that assists veterans with their transition to civilian life. Jason holds a BA in psychology from Northwestern University where he was an Academic All-American student-athlete and a two-time All-Big Ten football selection. He earned an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
As Managing Partner, Nishad co-leads the Project Level investment team and helps oversee deal sourcing and execution, investment due diligence, portfolio management and value creation initiatives. He brings nearly three decades of experience across private equity, investment banking and consulting and has invested across the consumer, business services and sports, media and entertainment sectors. Most recently, he was partner at CVC Capital Partners, where he served as U.S. head of consumer and sports & entertainment, playing a key role in shaping the firm’s U.S. strategy in both sectors with a particular focus on the intersection between them. Prior to CVC, Nishad spent more than a decade at Centre Partners Management, where he rose to managing director and head of the west coast office. Earlier in his career, he was a consultant at Bain & Company, advising consumer and private equity clients on strategy, operational improvement and due diligence. Nishad began his career in investment banking at Schroder & Company and later worked at Raymond James Capital in its merchant banking division. He earned a BA in economics and mathematics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Starting lineup
Asrat is responsible for sourcing and executing investment opportunities, conducting due diligence, and implementing portfolio management and value creation strategies. Before joining Ariel, Asrat served as Chief of Staff to Jason in his role as president of the Washington Commanders. During his tenure, the Commanders successfully transitioned to a new ownership group, renovated their stadium, onboarded new leadership, secured a stadium naming rights deal and helped pass a bill in Congress. Prior to the Commanders, Asrat worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company where he focused on growth and transformation strategies in the media, sports, retail and private equity industries. His contributions to McKinsey’s sports practice included analyzing Gen Z sports fan behavior and exploring the future of college sports. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Asrat earned a BS in human biology and an MS in management science and engineering from Stanford University.
Rebecca leads all financial analysis and modeling for pre-acquisition due diligence as well as portfolio management and value creation strategies. She joined Project Level from Guggenheim Partners, where she served as a vice president and credit portfolio manager, overseeing over $5 billion in portfolio assets. In her various roles at Guggenheim, she had the opportunity to also perform due diligence across asset classes, including handling special situations and real estate investing. Rebecca received her BA in history from Williams College, where she was a member of a multiyear National Tennis Championship team and was a multi-year All-American athlete.
Kayla conducts market research to help drive strategy and identify growth opportunities, while also supporting due diligence and portfolio management initiatives. Before Ariel, she was a senior business analyst at McKinsey & Company, advising private equity and corporate companies on buy- and sell side due diligence, growth strategy and operational improvements. Kayla holds an AB in social studies and a secondary in romance languages and literature from Harvard College, where she was honored as a George Peabody Gardner Fellow.
Tina supports the team with financial modeling, underwriting new opportunities and monitoring existing portfolio companies. Before joining Ariel, she was a senior private equity associate at Solamere Capital where she reported on portfolio companies across the sports and media, consumer and business services industries. Previously, Tina was a senior analyst in McKinsey & Company’s private equity division as well as a consultant for Dedham Group in New York City. She graduated with a BA in health sciences and a minor in corporate strategy from Vanderbilt University.
Our coordinators
Carlos is Chief Financial Officer of Ariel Investments and its affiliated entities, including Ariel Alternatives and Project Level. He is responsible for financial functions across all corporate entities, including financial reporting, corporate development, planning and analysis, accounting, and capital management. Carlos is also a member of Ariel’s Operating Committee and the chair of Ariel Alternatives’ and Project Level’s valuation committees, which determine the valuation of portfolio companies in the private asset portfolios. Carlos brings extensive experience in strategic planning, decision support and financial systems within the asset management industry.
Prior to joining Ariel, Carlos served as director of financial planning and analysis at Morgan Stanley’s subsidiary, Eaton Vance, where he was responsible for financial oversight across active equity and alternatives strategies within Eaton Vance Management, Parametric, Calvert, and Atlanta Capital as well as all financial reporting for their mutual fund entities, including corporate investor relations.
Previously, he was the global finance manager for State Street Global Advisors’ (SSGA) investment management division and oversaw financial reporting, planning and controls for the firm’s global equities, fixed income, private equity, and other alternative strategies and products. During his tenure at SSGA, Carlos oversaw the lift-out and ongoing financial management of SSGA’s alternative strategies expansion, including serving on the acquisition and integration team for the GE Asset Management ($100 billion AUM) acquisition, which involved integrating active equity, private equity, private credit, and real estate franchises into SSGA.
Early in his career, Carlos held various leadership roles at BNY Mellon Investment Management, ultimately as regional CFO for the Southeast practice, which at the time totaled over $9 billion in assets under management.
Carlos serves on the boards of Hope for Kasai, a non-profit bringing education and resources to the youth of Kasai Oriental in Congo Africa, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, which fosters a deeper understanding of global affairs through community engagement. He also sits on the advisory board of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America. Carlos earned his BBA in corporate finance from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Nancy oversees all human resources functions, including talent acquisition, total rewards, employee relations, organizational development, change management, and employee engagement. She is also a member of the firm’s Operating Committee. Prior to joining the firm, Nancy spent over 25 years in human resources (HR), partnering with executive leadership teams to align human capital initiatives and strategies to business priorities, maximize talent, and foster cultures of collaboration and continuous improvement. Before Ariel, Nancy was the managing director and head of HR at Andersen, senior HR manager at PwC and HR operations manager at Arthur Andersen. Nancy serves as vice-chair of the board of trustees at Marymount High School, a private all-girls school in Los Angeles, where she chairs the audit and nominating committees, and serves on the DEI, as well as legal and reputational risk committees. She is also a board member of The People’s Music School in Chicago. Nancy earned a BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at University of California – Berkeley. Additionally, she holds a SHRM-SCP® certification.
Angela handles fund-specific financial reporting, accounting, audits, tax coordination and treasury management functions for our private funds. Prior to joining Ariel, she was director of finance at Willowridge Partners, where she led financial operations, audits, tax planning and reporting and compliance. Previously, Angela served as fund controller at both GCM Grosvenor and Credit Suisse (now UBS Group AG). She began her career as a senior auditor at EisnerAmper LLP. Angela earned a BA from China’s Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and received an MBA in accounting and finance from the University at Buffalo. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.
As Global Head of Distribution, Melody is responsible for deepening client relationships, expanding the firm’s global reach and advancing strategic growth initiatives. A member of Ariel’s Operating Committee, she brings over 25 years of leadership experience across investment management, institutional client strategy and capital raising. Prior to joining the firm, Melody served as global head of core institutional clients at Bridgewater Associates, where she led the firm’s largest commercial segment. Previously, she was a partner and head of client service and business development at Brightwood Capital Advisors. Earlier in her career, she spent 16 years at PIMCO, serving as executive vice president and head of U.S. institutional client management and co-leading the firm’s New York office. Melody serves on the board of directors of Georgetown University and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. She is a member of the Economic Club of New York and sits on the National Executive Advisory Council of SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity). In 2024, she received the Pensions & Investments Lifetime Achievement Award as one of the industry’s most influential women in institutional investing. Melody earned a BS in international relations and development economics from Georgetown University and an MBA in financial engineering from the MIT Sloan School of Management. She is also a CFA and CAIA charterholder.
Pascale is a senior member of the firm’s enterprise legal and compliance team, serving as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Ariel Alternatives and Project Level Management Company. In this capacity, she oversees legal, regulatory and risk management matters relating to private investment funds, co-investment vehicles, portfolio company initiatives and advisory activities. Pascale works closely with investment professionals and senior leadership across the firm to manage risk, uphold regulatory integrity and support disciplined growth. She also serves as a non‑voting member of Ariel Alternatives’ investment and valuation committees and Project Level’s valuation committee.
Prior to joining Ariel, Pascale was deputy general counsel and deputy chief compliance officer of Makena Capital Management, a global investment firm managing multi-generational capital. In that role, she led legal strategy for pooled investment vehicles and complex investment structures across single and multi-asset-class portfolios and oversaw strategy and execution of the firm’s compliance program. Previously, Pascale served as managing director and assistant general counsel at Z Capital Group, where she managed the firm’s legal and compliance functions, including the structuring, offering and administration of private equity funds, credit funds, co‑investments and CLOs.
She began her legal career at Sidley Austin LLP in the investment products and derivatives group. Pascale holds a BS in psychology from Duke University and a JD from Harvard Law School.
Roopa oversees the firm’s brand and marketing initiatives as well as Ariel’s public relations strategy. She has amassed over two decades with Ariel in a variety of leadership roles in marketing and institutional marketing and client service and was identified to lead various key firmwide initiatives over the years. Her prior work experience includes Kinzie Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, Charles R. Feldstein & Company and the Kellogg School of Management. Outside of Ariel, Roopa sits on the board of the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Fashion Council of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the board of Strides for Peace, an anti-gun violence organization in Chicago. Formerly, Roopa served on the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Advisory Board (now its Philanthropic Council) for nearly 17 years. In 2012, she graduated from the fellowship program of Leadership Greater Chicago, an initiative to educate and connect emerging leaders in Chicago. In 2019, she was honored by Chicago United as one of their business leaders of color. In 2020, Roopa was chosen as a member of the 2020 cohort of The Daniel Burnham Fellowship Program through the Leadership Greater Chicago—an invitation-only opportunity for senior executives. Roopa graduated with a BA in French and psychology from Lake Forest College.
Joe is responsible for the comprehensive technology landscape at Ariel, encompassing infrastructure, enterprise architecture, business solutions, cyber security and our artificial intelligence strategy. He brings two decades of experience in the financial services industry across investment banking, hedge funds and asset management firms. Previously, he served as head of technology at LGIM America for over seven years. Prior to that, Joe held key IT leadership roles at Sheffield Asset Management LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. He earned a BS in computer science from Knox College.
Our directors and advisors
Beth is the Former Global Vice Chair of Public Policy at Ernst & Young where she was also a member of the firm’s global executive board. Among other endeavors, she currently serves on the board of the New York Times Company as well as the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Beth pioneered the seminal research showing a correlation between success in sports and success in life for girls. More specifically, her work revealed 94% of women in the C-Suite played sports and over half of them played at the university level.
Lewis is a seven-time Formula One Champion and the most decorated driver in the history of the sport. Recently signed to drive for the Ferrari F1 team, he is the only Black driver on the track and the only F1 driver to be knighted while still competing. Lewis is a capsule collection designer for Men’s Dior and the founder of Mission 44 which works to bring minorities and women into F1.
Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani is Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, a globally recognized non-profit supporting the human, social and economic development of Qatar. Under her leadership, Qatar Foundation has expanded its mission beyond education, using sports as a powerful force for belonging and community transformation. She is a leading advocate for women’s sports—championing Qatar’s National Women’s and Girls’ Sports Strategy. Her Excellency is also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Education Commission and a board member of the Volleyball Foundation for the International Federation Association of Volleyball (FIVB).
Queen Latifah is a Grammy-award winning, Emmy-award winning and Academy Award-nominated rapper, singer and actress. She currently stars in and executive produces the hit television series “The Equalizer.” In addition to global fame and numerous accolades, she is a two-time New Jersey state high school basketball champion.
Cynt is the Former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks-the first Black woman CEO in the NBA. During her tenure, she helped launch a new TV partnership and oversaw a stadium upgrade. In 2023, she helped guide the sale of the franchise. Before the Mavericks, she served in executive roles at AT&T for 36 years.
Stella is the named founder of the British fashion house distinguished by its design as well as its focus on sustainability. Her successful activewear collection combines high-performance and high-style-including collections for running, swimming, yoga and tennis. In 2012 and 2016, Stella designed the Great Britain Olympic and Paralympic team uniforms. She was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III in 2023.
Steve is the Former President of the New York Knicks and Former Chief Operating Officer of Madison Square Garden where he oversaw the business operations of the NY Knicks, NHL’s Rangers and WNBA’s New York Liberty. Prior to the Garden, he worked for the NBA for 16 years. Steve currently serves on the boards of AMC Networks, MSG Sports, Selective Insurance Group and the Ladies Professional Golf Association as well as the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Anthony is the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the nation’s premier defender of civil liberties. Under his leadership, the organization experienced prodigious growth, dramatically increasing membership, staff and budget. He currently serves on the advisory council of the Global Forum for Freedom and Justice and on the board of directors of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. In 2005, he was named one of Time Magazine’s 25 most influential Hispanics in America. Anthony received an AB from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs and earned a JD from Stanford University. In 2020, he was awarded Princeton University’s highest honor presented annually to a graduate whose career embodies a commitment to national service.
John is Co-Founder and Former CEO of Meadowlark Media. From 2012 to 2017, he served as President of ESPN, where he transformed the network by securing a series of long-term, multiplatform agreements with major rightsholders, including the NBA, MLB, the College Football Playoff, major college conferences, U.S. Open Tennis, and the Rose, Sugar and Orange Bowls. John is also an active philanthropist, serving on the boards of such organizations as the Institute for Sports and Social Justice, Glasswing and Pacunam.
Directors are members of the board of directors of Project Level Management Company, LLC (the “Investment Manager”) with fiduciary responsibility for the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager serves as the investment adviser of Project Level Fund, LP (the “Fund”). Advisors are members of the Fund’s board of advisors, providing non-fiduciary advice regarding the strategy and investments of the Fund.
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