Desirée Rogers

Desirée Rogers is an American business executive and entrepreneur whose career has crossed some of the country’s most influential institutions in business, media, beauty and public life. A graduate of Wellesley College and Harvard Business School, she held senior leadership positions at the Illinois Lottery, Peoples Energy and Allstate before joining the Obama administration.

In 2009, Desirée became the first African American White House Social Secretary, helping President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama realise their vision of the White House as the “People’s House” through a more inclusive programme of cultural events. She later became CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, where she worked across its celebrated Ebony, Jet and Fashion Fair brands.

Today, Desirée is CEO and co-owner of Black Opal, where her experience in brand building and beauty comes together with a longstanding commitment to serving consumers of colour. Across an unusually varied career, she has built a reputation for transforming established organisations, connecting brands with new audiences and bringing culture and commerce together.