Nikki Stokes Thompson serves as chief of staff to Ariel Alternatives, the private equity affiliate of global asset manager Ariel Investments—the first Black-owned investment management firm in the U.S. In her role, Thompson is primarily responsible for the operations of the firm, as well as day-to-day investor relations and revenue generation of the equity business. She works directly with the firm’s executive leadership on strategic growth and additionally serves as the liaison to the advisory board of Ariel Alternatives and to the shared services leadership team at the parent company.

Thompson joined Ariel Investments in April 2020 as chief of staff to Mellody Hobson, the co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments. Prior to Ariel Investments, she worked at the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the marketing partnerships lead for the NBA Gatorade League, where she led all partnerships with corporations such as Gatorade, MGM Resorts International, and Nike. She was also tasked with acquiring new business for the league and negotiating incremental deals.  

Her previous experience includes roles at Under Armour, IMPACT Strategies, and in the office of United States Senator Cory Booker. She graduated from Georgetown University, where she earned a bachelor’s in government with a minor in African American studies.