Desiree Perez

Chief Executive Officer, Roc Nation

Desiree Perez is the CEO of Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company that she co-founded with Shawn "Jay Z" Carter. She's in charge of growth across all aspects of the company, including touring, TV/film, philanthropy, music, management, and publishing. She works with a number of other organizations and partners as well, including the Shawn Carter Foundation, RC24 Foundation, REFORM Alliance, and Team Roc.

Jay Z had been associated with Perez for more than two decades by the time he appointed her as head of the company in 2019. Roc Nation works with some of the most famous names in the world, including Rihanna, Megan Thee Stallion, and Rapsody. From the moment Jay Z met Perez, he has always valued her insight and skills in the industry.

Because the company handles everything from brand development to production for such notable talents, Jay Z needed someone with a diverse array of abilities to serve as CEO. Perez has proven time and time again that she can handle the pressure of such a demanding job with grace and aplomb. 

Perez has been recognized by some of the most powerful moguls in the industry for her ambition and financial prowess. She is not only a savvy number-cruncher but a top negotiator who can get what she wants without burning bridges. She played a key role in settling the terms of the Rihanna Samsung partnership. Desiree Perez can spot the angle in any given position, quickly sizing up her leverage and using it to the company's advantage. She has been described as exactly the kind of person you want on your side. 

Before Perez took over as CEO, she was the COO of the company. This high-ranking position left her with the perfect degree of oversight for the company. From Roc Nation's streaming service, Tidal, to its charitable causes, she understands how the many moving parts of the company work to further its larger goals. While furthering the careers of its successful artists is a primary goal, Roc Nation also has a vested interest in giving back to underprivileged communities, ensuring they have the resources they need to get ahead. 

Desiree Perez was named Executive of the Year at Billboard's 2019 Women in Music awards. During her acceptance speech, she credited the support of Roc Nation for her rise up the ladder. As a leader, she feels that she owes her success to doing what's right and pushing herself to go further than she did the day before. She has expressed deep gratitude and respect for the many talented colleagues and entertainers that she has the privilege of working with every day. 

This driven professional may not always be the most attention-grabbing. In fact, much of Perez's success has been claimed through her consistent quality. Today, leaders in the industry praise her for her pragmatism, humor, and understated confidence. She has an undeniable presence in rooms where even the most seasoned of professionals might be intimidated. Her experience shines through to make her one of the most formidable people in the business. Desiree Perez is married to Juan Perez, the head of Roc Nation Sports. For more, see Desiree Perez on Bloomberg.