Member since 21 Jun 2021
Desiree Perez Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez is the CEO of Roc Nation, the New York City-based full-service entertainment agency and community that works with top music names like Rhianna and Megan Thee Stallion. According to company founder Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Perez is responsible for leading growth and development across all facets of Roc Nation, including new business development, music, management, publishing, touring, television and film development, and philanthropy. She took over the position from now-Chairman Jay Brown, who calls Perez, "a real-life Wonder Woman". Brown has also stated that Perez is "fearless, a champion and she saves the day. A true humanitarian." Perez previously served as the company's chief operating officer. In her new role, Perez will also be active in Roc Nation's philanthropic concerns, including the Shawn Carter Foundation, Team Roc, the Cara Lionel Foundation, the REFORM Alliance, and the RC24 Foundation. A native of the Bronx, Perez has worked with Jay-Z for more than two decades and helped negotiate the Beyonce Formation World Tour and the Rhianna-Samsung deal. Prior to joining Roc Nation in 2008, Perez was a partner with her husband and Jay-Z in the 40/40 Club chain of sports bars. In 2019, Desiree Perez was named Executive of the Year by Billboard magazine at the magazine's annual Women in Music award ceremony. In announcing the award, Billboard wrote, "Desiree Perez has quietly become one of the most formidable figures in the music business.” In accepting the award, Perez gave tribute to Jay-Z, whom she called her mentor and partner, saying, "You've taught me to trust myself to do what's right and not what's easiest." She added that he's her "inspiration and North Star" for hard work. Perez also noted, with pride, that half of Roc Nation's employees are women and half are minorities. Roc Nation, which began as a joint venture between Live Nation and Jay-Z, has a stable of artists that includes Jay-Z, Vic Mensa, J. Cole, Jaden Smith, Willow Smith, and many more. The entertainment powerhouse also manages entertainers including Big Sean, DJ Khaled, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Jim Jones, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, Miguel, Robin Thicke, Shakira, Tinashe, and Yo Gotti. Desiree Perez is a graduate of New York University. Outside of work, she is a very private person. She lives in New York City with her husband Juan Perez, the head of Roc Nation's sports division. To learn more, follow Desiree Perez on Instagram.