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VIEW FROM THE TOP continued from page 49 1991, After School Matters has taught 100,000 kids through a network of public and private partnerships, with artist Dale Chihuly overseeing the creation of glass chandeliers for O'Hare International Airport, and Magic Johnson leading a master class. "These are kids who can't afford ballet lessons; they can't afford to go to a science camp," says Hobson. "This should be a time for exploration." Building on Daley's "vision and her empathy," says Hobson, her " I want to make sure that every teen has the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams. " —MELLODY HOBSON first order of business is to expand the apprentice- ship program. "We work with 22,000 kids a year now," she says. "We had 6,000 teens in the pro- gram this summer, but we had 30,000 applica- tions. It's like an Ivy League school, trying to get in." She'll be bringing back winter and spring sessions and trying to raise money to accommodate more teens. "I want to make sure that every teen has the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams," says Hobson. The overachiever knows the value of learning outside the classroom. As the youngest of six kids raised by a single mother, Hobson moved around a lot, but spent time in Lake Point Tower. At St. Ignatius College Prep, she first learned how to multitask. She wrote a column for the school paper, took part in school plays, joined the speech club, the French club, Students Against Drunk Driving—you name it. "I was after school for many hours," laughs Hobson. "I think I turned out okay." After graduating from Princeton, she joined Ariel, where she rose from intern to president in less than a decade. She started giving back to kids at Ariel Community Academy, a magnet school with progressive approaches such as giving each first-grade class $20,000 in real dollars to invest. Hobson has added more hours to her day for a personal life, too. Since 2006, she's been dating pro- ducer George Lucas, and the pair have been spotted by the paparazzi at the Oscars and in Cannes. "Every single day I think, How did I get so lucky?" she says. Hobson served on the Chicago Public Library board for 15 years. She hopes that After School Matters will create some luck for Chicago's next generation. "I go and watch them, and I cry," she says, tearing up right then. "Not because I'm some crazy sap, but because you feel enthusiasm and optimism that floods your senses. You can just see how much is ahead for them." MA She also serves as director of Dreamworks. Reading is Hobson's favorite pastime. Mellody Hobson works with the After School Matters hip-hop culture dance ensemble. LIFE ADVICE With a creative and business perspective, Hobson offers insight on success. *BE AN ORIGINAL "My goal in life is to be someone who doesn't remind people of anyone they've ever met," says Hobson. She tells teens to learn from pioneers like the Beatles, Madonna, and Stevie Wonder. *WORK HARD "You don't pursue money or fame. You pursue happiness through fulfillment in terms of your work. And if you do that, all the other stuff will come." *COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS "I've had more than my fair share of an amazing life. So if it somehow ended tomorrow, I'd feel good about what I've done." *BE LOYAL This is Hobson's 21st year at Ariel. this "I've had one job," she says, and her coworkers have made long-term commitments, too. She could work from anywhere, but Hobson is a steadfast Chicagoan. "I've been a lot of places, but I'm always happy when I come home," she says. *EXPRESS YOURSELF Hobson believes feet should be fun; her exotic, fashion-forward shoes (chosen with assistance from local fashion guru Ikram Goldman) are definitely not made for walking. 50 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM