Revered businesswoman Desiree Rogers will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming 2015 Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence Mini Conference and Induction Ceremony. The event will be held on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the MGM Grand Detroit Casino and Hotel from 1pm to 6pm.
“We are ecstatic to have Ms. Rogers as our special guest at Women of Excellence,” said Cathy Nedd, chief operating officer at the Michigan Chronicle. Her contributions to Johnson Publishing and being the first African American White House Social Secretary, makes her the most apropos choice to address the significance of empowering women.”
Desiree Rogers, CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, LLC, has earned a reputation as one of America’s most successful businesswomen. With a Harvard Business School degree and stellar business experience, Rogers has redefined every leadership position that she has held while playing a major philanthropic role in the communities in which she has lived.
Rogers was elected president of People Energy’s two natural gas utilities where she facilitated the 150-year old company’s transition from a traditional, under the radar entity to a responsive, customer-centric organization.
In 2008, President Obama named Rogers the first African American Social Secretary. As Social Secretary her mandate was to help “people visualize what the Obama presidency is about, the values Americans voted for—inclusion, transparency, the embracement of all people—and translating the splendor, the sweetness and comfort of the White House to everyone.” She was recruited to reposition the Obamas’ nontraditional vision of the White House to the “People’s House.” Her office produced 350 events in her 14-month tenure and turned the White House into a showcase for American art and culture.
A bold visionary, Rogers has the ability to develop creative solutions for mature organizations facing changing industry dynamics or consumer tastes. Rogers is widely credited for her ability to identify and motivate talent to challenge existing assumptions using brand discipline and superior communication skills thus creating new pathways for success.
Rogers has served on several corporate and non-for-profit boards most recently serving on Equity Residential, and as Vice Chairman of the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Museum of Science and Industry.
This year’s sponsors for the Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence are Macy’s, St. John Providence Health and Total Health Care. Sponsorship opportunities, tables and tickets are still available, call your account representative at 313-963-5522. Tickets are $65 and Tables of ten are $700. Follow the conversation @michronicle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #MCWOE2015