Women in Business

Arielle Patrick

Chief Communications Officer Ariel Investments

Arielle Patrick is Chief Communications Officer of Ariel Investments, a $17.2 billion global asset management firm (as of 3/31/23). Patrick reports to Co-CEO Mellody Hobson and sits on Ariel's firmwide Senior Leadership Team and Risk Committee. She leads an integrated team that drives public affairs and communications for the firm and its private equity arm, Ariel Alternatives. This includes: media relations, government affairs, philanthropy, marketing, internal communications, corporate and executive leadership communications, branding and creative. She led Ariel's rebranding strategy, earning a Platinum honor at the 2023 dotCOMM Awards, and two honors at the 2023 Digital Impact Awards for its new website. Patrick restructured the firm's previous five marketing-related functions into one centralized practice. Patrick graduated from Princeton University, where she earned an AB in Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin language, literature and history). She is a native of Manhattan where she currently lives with her husband and their daughter.

Imani Ellis

CEO and Founder CultureCon & The Creative Collective

Imani Ellis is the CEO and Founder of CultureCon and The Creative Collective, a community dedicated to facilitating brave spaces for Black and Brown creatives. Born in Imani’s one-bedroom apartment as a means to foster meaningful connection, TheCCnyc has since parlayed into the fastest-growing community devoted to creatives of color. TheCCnyc's marquee event is CultureCon, a conference celebrating the impact diverse voices have on culture. Past speakers include Tracee Ellis Ross, Will Smith, Regina King, John Legend, Spike Lee, Lena Waithe, and more. CultureCon is the first-of-its-kind ideas conference that caters to all aspects of creative and young professional life. In addition to community events, The Creative Collective provides countless resources and workshops. In the height of the pandemic, The Creative Collective launched CultureCon At Home, a virtual campus that reached over 22,000 creatives in over 131 countries around the world, and Creative Curriculum, a series of digital masterclasses touching on everything from entrepreneurship to navigating the corporate world. Imani graduated from Vanderbilt University with a major in communications and a double minor in German and Film.

Shelby Larkin-Reid

Head of Partnerships & Sales Black Love & Confluential Films

Shelby Larkin is an Emmy-nominated Television Producer and Entertainment Executive with over 20 years of experience. Shelby’s production credits span across news, syndicated television, digital, red carpet and live events. Shelby produced for Emmy-award winning syndicated television shows including Dr. Phil, Judge Mathis, and Divorce Court. She also worked on major red carpet and live events such as the Oscars, Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, BET Awards. Shelby’s passion for business led her to pursue her MBA. She graduated from Columbia Business School in 2013 with a concentration in Media and Entertainment Management. Post MBA, Shelby was part of the team that launched hit television network Revolt TV, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2023. From there she successfully transitioned to brand partnerships and sales. Currently, Shelby serves as the Head of Partnerships & Sales for LA-based media companies Black Love and Confluential Films, where she focuses on securing brand sponsors across the company’s portfolio, which includes TV, film, digital, FAST and live events. Outside of work, Shelby enjoys paying it forward by serving as an admissions ambassador for Columbia Business School and conducting financial literacy workshops for non-profit organization Defy Ventures. Shelby is a native of Nashville, TN, mom of two and currently resides in Encino, CA.

Latoya Williams Belfort

Executive Director 15 Percent Pledge

As a non-profit leader and equity champion, with over 18 years of professional experience, LaToya Williams-Belfort partners with entrepreneur, fashion pioneer, social activist Aurora James to lead the Pledge’s staff, programs, fundraising, expansion and execution of its mission. Since the launch of the 15 Percent Pledge, major companies including Macy’s Inc., Bloomingdales, Sephora, West Elm, Gap Inc., Ulta Beauty, Nordstroms and Crate & Barrel, to name a few, have committed to the Pledge, dedicating 15% of their annual purchasing power to Black-owned brands; in addition to other internal efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion across their companies. Indigo, Canada’s largest bookstore, also committed to the Pledge, becoming the first Canadian company to do so. InStyle US and Vogue US have committed to filling 15% of their space to Black voices. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications from the State University of New York at Old Westbury, and is a proud native New Yorker, wife and mom of two beautiful sons, Dell and Logan.

Modupe Akinola (Moderator)

Barbara and David Zalaznick Professor of Business Columbia Business School