Former White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers speaks at Harvard Business School 2024 Class Day | News

Desirée G. Rogers, former White House social secretary and cosmetics company CEO, will deliver the keynote address at Harvard Business School Class Day, the school announced Wednesday.

Rogers will address the Business School’s graduating class on May 22, one day before the 373rd university-wide commencement ceremony. The event will take place on Baker Lawn and will feature speeches from the co-chairs of the MBA Class of 2024, a student speech and the presentation of Faculty Teaching Awards.

Rogers – who grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Wellesley College in 1981 – received her MBA from Harvard in 1985. She served as White House social secretary under former US President Barack Obama and is currently co-owner and CEO of Black Opal LLC . , owner of the Black Opal and Fashion Fair Cosmetics brands.

During her tenure in the Obama administration, Rogers helped plan, coordinate and execute official social events at the White House, where she led an effort to open it up to a broader circle.

At the end of her two-year term in 2010, Rogers was named CEO of the Johnson Publishing Company, where she oversaw the publication of Ebony and Jet magazines.

In addition to her role at the helm of 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 Gyrls in the HOOD.

“At the heart of our work is the belief that companies should be committed to improving the lives of the consumers they serve,” Rogers said Wednesday in a Business School press release announcing her selection as a Class Day speaker .

Rogers is known for her expertise in “communication, diversity and what it means to be a woman today,” according to her personal website.

“Understanding the parallels between business and life has helped me succeed,” Rogers wrote on her website. “You can feel good about your work and be great to yourself at the same time.”

“As I embrace my future, I plan to bring as many women with me as possible,” she added. “Together we are stronger and more beautiful.”

— Staff Writer Kyle Baek can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KBaek53453.

—Staff Writer Benjamin Isaac can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @benjaminisaac_1.