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Desiree Perez

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Roc Nation

New York, NY, USA

Desiree Perez

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. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Desiree Perez’s Newsfeed

Bloomberg

How Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Made the Super Bowl Halftime Show Cool Again

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The Source

Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez Says Kendrick Lamar is ‘Right Person’ for Super Bowl Slot

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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

Interviews

UP ON GAME PRESENTS: Stay A While Podcast Featuring Desiree Perez CEO of Roc Nation "She Believed She Could So She Did"

Interviewee

Feb 2024

Q&A: Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez On Made In America Festival, Jay-Z, Social Consciousness And More

Interviewee

Jun 2022

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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.

45th News & Documentary Emmy® Awards

Nominee: "Exposing Parchman"

2024

New York, NY, USA

In 2024, at the 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, the investigative documentary Desiree Perez executive produced, "Exposing Parchman," received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Documentary.

Billboard's Power 100 Top Executives

Featured

2023

Billboard named Desiree Perez one of the most prominent executives in entertainment for her success in bolstering Roc Nation’s roster and partnership with the National Football League (NFL).

Billboard's R&B and Hip Hop Power Players

Featured

2023

Desiree Perez earned a spot on Billboard’s list of Power Players in R&B and Hip Hop.

Hollywood Reporter's Top 55 Most Powerful Latin Players in Film, TV and Music

Featured

2023

In recognition of the incomparable role Desiree Perez played in establishing Roc Nation’s biggest partnerships with major entertainment and touring organizations, including the NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show. Perez’s work on the Super Bowl Halftime Show led to multiple Emmy nominations and her first win in 2022.

Variety Honors

2021 and 2023 Variety500 Honoree

Desiree Perez was selected as an honoree for the 2021 and 2023 Variety500 — an index compiling the 500 most influential business leaders. She has been recognized for her leadership at Roc Nation, particularly in regard to cultivating its partnership with the NFL and successfully managing some of the biggest names in music and entertainment.

Entrepreneur’s 100 Women of Influence

Featured

2022

Entrepreneur’s October 2022 issue mentioned Desiree Perez as an influential figure in the music and entertainment industry. Speaking about the best advice she’s ever been given, Perez reflected on guidance she received from JAY-Z: “'It's not you. It's the power that you possess.”

Primetime Emmy Award

Winner and Nominee

Desiree Perez has been nominated for five Primetime Emmy awards between 2015 and 2023. Having led the partnership deal between Roc Nation and the National Football League, she has also made history as an executive producer of some of the most notable Super Bowl Halftime Shows. In 2022, Desiree won the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) award for the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show performed by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.

29th Annual Gridiron Gala

Community Quarterback Award

2022

In 2022, Desiree Perez was the recipient of the Community Quarterback Award at the 29th Annual Gridiron Gala. The gala is hosted in celebration of the over 50 years-long partnership between United Way of New York City and the NFL, and the impactful initiatives they create in underserved NYC communities.

Billboard Women in Music Awards

Winner: Executive of the Year

2019

In 2019, Desiree Perez was honored with the Executive of the Year award at Billboard's Women in Music event. This recognition celebrated her significant contributions to the music industry as COO of Roc Nation. During her acceptance speech, Perez emphasized the importance of courage and hard work, particularly for women in the industry.

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Charitable Interests

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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