Former White House social secretary and cosmetics company CEO Desiree G. Rogers will deliver the keynote address at Harvard Business School's Class Day, the school announced Wednesday.
Mr. Rogers is scheduled to address business school graduates on May 22, the day before the 373rd university-wide commencement ceremony. The event is scheduled to be held at Baker Lawn and will feature speeches from the MBA Class of 2024 co-presidents, student speeches, and the presentation of faculty education awards.
Mr. Rogers grew up in New Orleans, graduated from Wellesley College in 1981, and earned an MBA from Harvard University in 1985. She served as White House Social Secretary under former US President Barack Obama and currently serves as co-owner and CEO of Black Opal LLC. She owns the brands Black Opal and Fashion Fair Cosmetics.
During his tenure in the Obama administration, Rogers helped plan, coordinate, and execute official social events at the White House, working to open them up to a broader audience.
At the end of his two-year term in 2010, Rogers was named CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, where he oversaw the publication of Ebony and Jet magazines.
In addition to her executive role at Black Opal, Rogers currently serves on the boards of Inspired Entertainment and Stagwell Global Media, and is actively involved with the American Cancer Society and Girls in the Food .
“At the heart of our work is the belief that businesses should be committed to improving the lives of the consumers they serve,” Rogers said in a business school press release Wednesday. announced that he had been selected as the speaker for the day.
According to her personal website, Ms. Rogers is known for her expertise in “communications, diversity, and what it means to be a woman today.”
“Understanding the similarities between business and life has helped me succeed,” Rogers wrote on her website. “You can be satisfied with your work and take care of yourself at the same time.”
“Looking at my future, I plan to take as many women as possible with me,” she added. “Together we are stronger and more beautiful.”
—Staff writer Kyle Baek can be reached at kyle.baek@thecrimson.com. X Follow him at @KBaek53453.
—Staff writer Benjamin Isaac can be reached at benjamin.isaac@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @Benjamini sack_1.
