About

Emma is an accomplished investment management professional, board director, community leader and speaker. She is Ariel’s general counsel, overseeing the legal, compliance and risk functions for all the firm’s entities, including Ariel Investments, Ariel Alternatives, and Ariel Distributors. She is also a member of Ariel’s operating committee and serves as secretary to the firm’s and the mutual fund’s board of directors. Prior to joining the firm in 2023, Emma was the general counsel, chief compliance officer, and board secretary of LGIM America, leading the risk, compliance, legal and governance functions. There, she was also a member of the executive committee. Earlier in her career, Emma was a partner at law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and served in other in-house and private practice roles. 

Emma is an independent director of First Bank Chicago. She also serves on the boards of Chicago television station WTTW and Angeles Investors, a Latino-focused angel investing group. She is also a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association. Emma has been previously recognised as a Top Latino Leader by the U.S. National Diversity Council, as a DEI Leader by the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association, and as a Business Leader of Colour by Chicago United, among other honours. She routinely speaks at industry events on issues related to investment management, ESG, diversity, corporate and non-profit board service, and risk management. A native of Puerto Rico, Emma graduated with a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Saint Louis University. She is qualified as a chief compliance officer by the Canadian Securities Institute and holds Diligent’s Climate Leadership Certification.