The Marque The Marque

Desiree Perez

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Roc Nation

New York, NY, USA


Desiree Perez
Chandra Patel
Antarctica Capital
César Pérez Ruiz
Pictet Wealth Management

Desiree Perez’s Biography

Desiree Perez is the Chief Executive Officer of Roc Nation, the internationally preeminent entertainment company she co-founded with Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. As one of the most influential executives in the music and entertainment industries, Desiree is lauded for the critical role she played in shaping Roc Nation’s evolution, overseeing its growth from a groundbreaking record label into a global powerhouse spanning music, sports, media, and philanthropy.

Born in the Bronx, New York, to Cuban immigrant parents, Desiree began her career in the mid-1990s as a part-time assistant manager at a New York nightclub. It was here that she first met JAY-Z — an encounter that laid the foundation for a professional partnership that would lead to joint business ventures like the creation of The 40/40 Club in 2003, and the establishment of Roc Nation in 2008.

Recognized for her vision and meticulous attention to detail, Desiree has been the driving force behind Roc Nation’s diversification into entertainment production, sports representation, and the launch of the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports...
Desiree Perez is the Chief Executive Officer of Roc Nation, the internationally preeminent entertainment company she co-founded with Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. As one of the most influential executives in the music and entertainment industries, Desiree is lauded for the critical role she played in shaping Roc Nation’s evolution, overseeing its growth from a groundbreaking record label into a global powerhouse spanning music, sports, media, and philanthropy.

Born in the Bronx, New York, to Cuban immigrant parents, Desiree began her career in the mid-1990s as a part-time assistant manager at a New York nightclub. It was here that she first met JAY-Z — an encounter that laid the foundation for a professional partnership that would lead to joint business ventures like the creation of The 40/40 Club in 2003, and the establishment of Roc Nation in 2008.

Recognized for her vision and meticulous attention to detail, Desiree has been the driving force behind Roc Nation’s diversification into entertainment production, sports representation, and the launch of the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University. Desiree’s reputation as a formidable leader has been reinforced by her successful negotiation of breakthrough tours and deals for Alicia Keys, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lil Uzi Vert, and by securing Rihanna’s partnership with Samsung, JAY-Z’s $200 million global tour with Live Nation, and Roc Nation’s partnership with the NFL. Acknowledging her impact on shaping industry standards and artist empowerment, Desiree was named Executive of the Year at the 2019 Billboard Women In Music Awards.

Desiree is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the entertainment industry, championing equal opportunities and progressive change. A staunch advocate for criminal justice reform, she leads Roc Nation’s activism efforts, partnering with organizations such as REFORM Alliance to advance judicial equity.
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Desiree Perez’s Background

Roc Nation
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Dec 2019 - Present
New York, NY, USA
Desiree Perez stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Roc Nation in 2019. As CEO, she oversees all 14 Roc Nation verticals, including music, publishing, sports agency, business development, philanthropy, touring, and film and TV development.
 
Roc Nation
Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder
Jan 2008 - Dec 2019
New York, NY, USA
Roc Nation is a full-service global entertainment company founded in 2008. Headquartered in New York City, the company represents some of the world’s most influential artists, athletes, and industry leaders.
 
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Desiree Perez’s Gallery

Previous Board Positions

The Parent Company
Board Member
Jun 2019 - 2023
Desert Hot Springs, CA, USA
The Parent Company was a leading consumer-focused California cannabis company that aimed to promote equity in the cannabis industry through its social equity venture fund. In 2023, the company merged with Gold Flora LLC to become Gold Flora Corporation.
 

Media

Facebook
Desiree Perez' Facebook page
 

Awards & Recognition

Billboard's Sports and Music Power Players
Featured
2025
Celebrated for her ongoing leadership and influence in the sports and music industries, Desiree Perez was featured on Billboard’s 2025 roundup of Sports and Music Power Players.
 
The Webby Awards
Winner: "Book of HOV"
2024
Desiree Perez was an executive producer on the historic "Book Of HOV" exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library, which won a Webby Award for Websites and Mobile Sites, Cultural Institutions in 2024.
 
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Charitable Interests

Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment logo Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment logo
Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment
2020 - Present
New York, NY, USA
The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University (LIU) is an innovative educational initiative established in partnership with Roc Nation. Students who enroll can pursue undergraduate degrees in music, music technology, entrepreneurship, production, and sports management. The school promotes social justice and provides scholarships to students from underserved communities.
 
Team Roc
Founder
2019 - Present
Team Roc, the philanthropic arm of Roc Nation, engages in social justice issues, focusing on racial and economic inequality. It supports education, legal justice reform, and community engagement, providing resources and advocacy to empower marginalized communities and drive systemic change.
 
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