Desiree Rogers

About Desirée: From politics, publishing, to beauty, Desirée Rogers becomes a force in every industry she enters. From her role in the Obama Administration as the first African American Social Secretary, becoming the first ‘non-family’ lead of Johnson Publishing Company, to supporting Black-owned businesses as CEO of Black Opal Cosmetics, Desirée is a change agent who brings passion and authenticity to everything she does. When asked about her success, ‘luck’ is not in Desirée’s vocabulary. Growing up in New Orleans, Desirée always knew she wanted to be a leader, working hard to attend Wellesley College and Harvard Business School.

Upon receiving her degrees, Desirée took her leadership ambitions to Chicago, becoming the Director of the Illinois Lottery. After six years in her position, Desirée joined Integrys Energy Group, where she was promoted to President of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas. In 2008, Desirée became President of Allstate Social Network, spearheading the first social network strategy. Desirée then left Chicago in 2009 to become the White House Social Secretary for the Obama Administration, putting on over 350 events in 14 months.

In 2010, Desirée left her position, taking on the role of CEO for Johnson Publishing. In this position, Desirée worked to grow the company’s three subsidiaries, including Johnson Publishing’s media outlets (Jet and Ebony Magazine), the Johnson Archives, and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. In 2019, Desiree harnessed her passion for working within the Black community and the beauty industry to become the CEO of Black Opal Cosmetics. Through her position, Desiree strives to bring more minorities into the beauty industry while also creating more opportunities for Black-owned businesses.

In this week’s edition of Executive Insights, Desirée discusses the challenges Black-owned businesses face, the importance of creating opportunities for minorities in the beauty industry, and how to become an effective leader.

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As Desirée’s interview concludes, we take away the importance of diversity in the beauty industry, taking risks, and how success is only possible through passion and hard work.

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