Desiree Perez is Chief Executive Officer of the globally acclaimed entertainment organization, Roc Nation. She is an award-winning executive producer renowned for her integrity as an industry leader and her exemplary humanitarian work.
A passionate advocate for social justice, Desiree has long championed REFORM Alliance’s mission to transform probation and parole in the United States. In 2019, the same year that REFORM Alliance was established, Desiree served as an executive producer for the “Free Meek” docuseries alongside REFORM’s founding partner, JAY-Z . The following year, she, JAY-Z, and Meek Mill worked in tandem to deliver ten million surgical masks and necessary personal protective equipment to correctional facilities in all 50 states during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, which aimed to ensure the health and well-being of incarcerated individuals, correctional officers, and staff members, was made possible by a $10M donation from Jack Dorsey in 2020 as part of his Start Small relief fund. In addition to her work with REFORM Alliance, Desiree leads advocacy efforts within Roc Nation’s internal humanitarian division, Team Roc. Together, REFORM and Team Roc have previously combined their resources to assist formerly incarcerated individuals and revitalize communities by hosting job fairs nationwide, increasing access to employment opportunities, especially for those affected by the criminal justice system.
Philanthropy
Desiree’s commitment to social justice is exemplified through her participation in numerous charitable organizations and further evidenced by how she leverages her position as CEO of Roc Nation to amplify the causes she believes in. As a board member of the United Justice Coalition (UJC), she participates in the annual UJC Summit, which REFORM Alliance has previously sponsored. The UJC Summit convenes activists, industry leaders, lawyers, and speakers for a free, public event that focuses on identifying solutions for ongoing justice system challenges while educating attendees. Through Roc Nation’s partnership with the Terrence Crutcher Foundation, Desiree has lent her thought leadership to elevate their pursuit of enacting structural changes within the criminal justice system and amending existing, unjust policies to ensure liberated, violence-free communities for minorities and enhanced economic mobility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In support of The Gathering for Justice’s goal to reimagine public safety by strategically prioritizing advancements in police accountability, criminal justice reform, and youth justice and empowerment, Desiree has helped organize grassroots efforts for events like the “March for Stolen Lives and Looted Dreams” in New York City.
Both within and outside of Team Roc and Roc Nation, Desiree continues to dedicate her position and platform to make positive societal impacts. Among her many philanthropic contributions, Desiree was pivotal in coordinating the delivery of emergency relief supplies to Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, the donation of production and logistical aid for justice rallies, and in bringing investigative documentaries and mini series to screen, including “Time: The Kalief Browder Story” in 2017, “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” in 2018, and “Exposing Parchman” in 2023 — which brought revelatory footage of the dire state of Parchman Prison in Mississippi to light, and subsequently won an Emmy Award. In recognition of her longstanding public service and activism, Desiree was honored with the Community Quarterback Award at United Way New York’s 29th Annual Gridiron Gala. Subsequently, in 2025, Desiree became the recipient of The Gathering for Justice’s Harry Belafonte Social Justice Award for inspiring and effecting meaningful change in marginalized communities, as well as her longstanding support of The Gathering.
Career
Desiree’s foray into the entertainment industry came in the mid-nineties when she began managing nightclubs in New York City. She later translated her experience to other ventures, such as The 40/40 Club, where she currently holds the role of Director of Operations. In 2008, Desiree co-founded Roc Nation with JAY-Z, Chairman; Jay Brown, Vice Chairman; Juan Perez, President of Roc Nation Sports; and Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, President of A&R. At Roc Nation, Desiree utilizes her vast business acumen to direct the organization to new heights, driving the creation of innovative capabilities and strategies to best support clients’ careers and brands. Her tactical leadership at Roc Nation was commended in 2019 at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, where she received the Executive of the Year award. Desiree’s decades of industry achievements have been recognized by esteemed publications such as Billboard, Variety, Entrepreneur, and The Hollywood Reporter multiple times, most recently in 2025.