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Desiree Perez

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Desiree Perez
Born
Bronx, NY
OccupationChief Executive Officer of Roc Nation
SpouseJuan Perez[1]

Desiree Perez is a Cuban-American businessperson and the chief executive officer and co-founder of Roc Nation. Formerly, she served as the label's chief operating officer for more than ten years and has played a role in the company's management of music, film, television, and sports entities.[2]

Early life and education

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Born to Cuban immigrant parents, Perez was raised in the Bronx borough of New York City.[3][4] Her childhood was rooted in Latin culture and she became fluent in both Spanish and English.[5] According to Perez, she gained her "gritty" work ethic from her father, whose moving company she worked at as a teen.[4]

Career

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Early career

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Perez had her first job as a teenager for her father's moving company. There, she helped run the business by translating between Spanish and English to sell company services.[4]

Early into her professional career, she managed a cellphone company. In this position, Perez encountered an opportunity to work in promotions for a Washington Heights nightclub. In the following fifteen years, she gained management experience within multiple clubs.[4][2]

Early partnership with Jay-Z

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After booking a then up-and-coming Jay-Z at one of her nightclubs in 1996, Perez entered into a professional friendship that would result in many years of collaboration. Early in their collaborative years, they worked together at Baseline Studios.[6] In 2003, the pair, alongside Perez's husband, Juan, opened the 40/40 Club in New York City.[7] Perez served as Director of Operations for the establishment, which subsequently opened locations in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Brooklyn, New York.[8]

Roc Nation

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In 2008, Perez joined Jay-Z and three other founders to launch Roc Nation. Perez joined the team as chief operations officer and co-founder.[9][10] She served as COO until 2019, when she was named chief executive officer of the company, succeeding Jay Brown.[2][10][11]

As CEO, Perez gained oversight of all Roc Nation offerings, including music and music publication, touring, publishing, film, television, talent management, apparel, and philanthropy.[11]

Television and film

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Perez has worked on a number of television and film projects as executive producer, including multiple Super Bowl Halftime Show productions, and documentaries featuring Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion, and an exposé on the Mississippi correctional system.[12][13][14]

Accolades and recognition

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In 2019, Perez received the Billboard Women in Music Executive of the Year Award.[4] She was a Variety 500 Honoree for women's impact two years later.[15]

Perez was named the 2021 Change Agent by Billboard magazine for her work fighting racial injustice.[16]

In 2022, she was highlighted for women's impact on Entrepreneur's 100 Women of Influence list.[17] That same year, Perez was honored with the Community Quarterback Award at United Way New York City's Gridiron Gala.[18]

In 2023, Perez was again featured as a Variety 500 Honoree for women's impact.[19] She also appeared on The Hollywood Reporter's Top 55 Most Powerful Latin Players in Film, TV, and Music.[20]

Perez won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for her work producing the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show. She also received nominations for the 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Shows. Additionally, she received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Class Program for her work as executive producer on the documentary Beyoncé and Jay-Z on the Run in 2015.[12]

Philanthropy

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In 2018, Perez was one of a number of female music executives who wrote an open letter to the Recording Academy asking for increased diversity of women in the music industry. The letter was in response to a comment from former Recording Academy chairman, Neil Portnow, that asserted female music executives needed to step up in the industry.[21]

In early 2020, Perez led efforts to help over 150 inmates sue over inhumane conditions at Parchman Prison. She also executive produced the documentary Exposing Parchman on A&E in 2023, spotlighting prison reform.[22][23]

In November 2021, Perez helped organize the Madison Square Garden Job Fair, which drew over 6,000 attendees—including formerly incarcerated individuals—and provided resume support, legal aid for expungements, professional attire, and on-site interviews with major employers.[24][25]

As a longtime board member of Reform Alliance, Perez is involved in efforts to transform probation and parole systems. She also supports Meek Mill's legal team and broader criminal justice reform campaigns.[22]

Roc Nation

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Through her tenure with Roc Nation, Perez has led company-wide philanthropic initiatives, largely on women's diversity and equality, as well as criminal justice reform.[2]

In 2018, Roc Nation launched Team Roc, an initiative Perez oversees as chief executive officer.[2] Through the Team Roc division, Perez has guided Roc Nation in its work to support educational efforts and families of victims of police brutality.[2][10]

Under Perez's leadership, Roc Nation signed a deal with the NFL regarding social justice initiatives and live entertainment. Following this partnership, Perez aimed to use the opportunity to shed light on social injustices.[26][27]

By 2021, Perez assisted in launching the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment at Long Island University.[28]

Board memberships

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Perez is on the board of several non-profits, including Reform Alliance, United Justice Coalition, and the Parent Company.[29][22][30]

Personal life

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In 1994, Perez was arrested for conspiracy to distribute narcotics.[31]

She received a sentence of five years probation, but was later charged with violating her parole. The violation led to nine months in prison in 1999.[32]

In 2021, then-president Donald Trump pardoned Perez of the charges, citing her efforts to "turn her life around." Following the pardon, Perez expressed her gratitude.[32]

Perez is married to the co-founder and President of Roc Nation Sports, Juan Perez. The couple lives in New York City.[32][6]

References

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  1. ^ Aswad, Jem; Halperin, Shirley (January 21, 2021). "Why Did Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez Receive a Trump Pardon?". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kochanov, Natalie (April 16, 2021). "Desiree Perez Is Leading Roc Nation and Changing the World". Hispanic Executive. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "Muck Rack | For journalists and public relations". muckrack.com. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e Rys, Dan (December 12, 2019). "Roc Nation's Desiree Perez: Billboard's 2019 Women In Music Executive of the Year". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  5. ^ Cobo, Leila. "Desiree Perez Talks Roc Nation's Latin Strategy, Landing Bad Bunny for Made In America". Radio 88.8 - Demo. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Desiree Perez: An Entertainment Industry Pioneer". Omega Underground. November 20, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  7. ^ Centeno, Tony M. "JAY-Z Will Revive His 40/40 Club For Michael Rubin's Fanatics Fest". New York's Power 105.1 FM. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  8. ^ Alysse, Bianca. "Desiree Perez believes Roc Nation's work ethic and Made in America inclusivity "should be respected"". REVOLT. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  9. ^ Perez, Desiree. "Building A Business Culture That Prioritizes Philanthropy". Forbes. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "Desiree Perez Named CEO of Roc Nation". Variety. December 13, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Berman, Marc (April 7, 2021). "Desiree Perez Continues to Enjoy CEO Role at Roc Nation". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Beyonce And JAY Z On The Run". Television Academy. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  13. ^ "Kandi & Riley Burruss Share The Taste Of Tradition with Coca-Cola®". Essence. March 26, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  14. ^ Exposing Parchman (Documentary), Jay-Z, Mario Mims, Tamika Mallory, A&E Studios, Good Caper Content, ITV America, June 15, 2023, retrieved August 6, 2025{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  15. ^ viapiuser (December 17, 2021). "Desiree Perez". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  16. ^ "Desiree Perez named 2021 Billboard Change Agent". BOSS Publishing. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  17. ^ "100 Women of Influence in 2022". Entrepreneur. October 4, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  18. ^ "2022 Gridiron Gala". United Way of New York City. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  19. ^ viapiuser (December 17, 2021). "Desiree Perez". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  20. ^ Sun, Rebecca; Fekadu, Mesfin (November 8, 2023). "The Most Powerful Latin Players in Film, TV and Music". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  21. ^ Weaver, Hilary (February 5, 2018). "Grammys Backlash Escalates with Open Letter from Six Female Music Executives". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c "Desiree Perez". United Justice Coalition. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  23. ^ "Exposing Parchman | 2023 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  24. ^ Partners, Our Culture Mag & (December 21, 2021). "Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez Lauds Success of Company's NYC Job Fair". Our Culture. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  25. ^ Gensler, Andy (May 15, 2022). "2022 Impact 50: Desiree Perez - Pollstar News". Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  26. ^ Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY), Yohance (September 14, 2020). "Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez Addresses The Company's Partnership With The NFL". AllHipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  27. ^ Owens, Jasmine. "Roc Nation and NFL Extend Partnership for Super Bowl Halftime Show | WGCI-FM". The WGCI Morning Show. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  28. ^ "Roc Nation and LIU Establish Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment | Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment". liu.edu. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  29. ^ "Meet the Next Big Fashion Group (Published 2021)". December 16, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  30. ^ "The Parent Company Announces the Appointment of CEO of Roc Nation..." New Cannabis Ventures. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  31. ^ Staff, HNHH (January 20, 2021). "Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez Receives Pardon From Trump: Report". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  32. ^ a b c Halperin, Jem Aswad,Shirley (January 21, 2021). "Why Did Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez Receive a Trump Pardon?". Variety. Retrieved August 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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