Desirée Glapion Rogers (born June 16, 1959) is an American corporate executive, former
chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC). As of 2019, Rogers is the CEO of Black Opal, a cosmetics company.[1]
Early life and education
Rogers was born on June 16, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana[2] to late Roy Glapion and his wife Joyce. She is a descendant of Creole voodoo priestess Marie Laveau.[3]
Governor Jim Edgar, to run the Illinois State Lottery,[8] a $2 billion state agency. She led the agency until 1997. During her tenure, Rogers worked extensively with over 8000 retailers to increase the sale of instant ticket products from 300 million to over 600 million.[7] Rogers attended the 1992 Republican National Convention as an alternate delegate.[9]
In 1997, Rogers was the vice-president of corporate communications for
WPS Resources Corporation in July 2006. The merged companies became the Integrys Energy Group in the first quarter of 2007. Rogers initially stayed on as President of Peoples Energy, the gas subsidiaries of the new holding company.[16]
In July 2008, Rogers joined Allstate Financial, a business unit of
Roger's previous year's income, in a 2009 report, was a $350,000 salary from Allstate Financial, as well as $150,000 in board fees from Equity Residential, a real estate investment trust in which she also held at least $250,000 in stock. She also collected $20,000 in board fees from Blue Cross. Other assets reported in her checking account, stock investments, and mutual funds totaled at least $2 million.[19]
At the White House
As the White House Social Secretary for President Obama, Rogers was responsible for executing the Obamas' vision of opening the White House to a wider circle of people and making it 'the people's house'.[20][21] She organized 365 events in her tenure and was recognized for organizing lively get-togethers,[22] particularly with artists and musicians.[20] Rogers aspired to modernize the art collection in the White House Presidential mansion by adding ethnic art.[23] She got recognition for her sense of fashion and style brought to the position.[24]
Desirée served as the chair of the board of Choose Chicago from 2013[33] to 2019.[34] In June 2019, she along with Cheryl Mayberry McKissack, acquired Black Opal Cosmetics, a 25-year-old cosmetics and skincare house for women of color.[35] Desirée serves on the public boards of MDC Partners (MDC) and Inspired Entertainment (INSE). She also serves on the boards of World Business Chicago, Donors Choose and Northwestern Hospital. She is on the cabinet of the Conquer Cancer Foundation.[36]