BET's Janet Rollé named AFUWI gala chair

Janet Rollé, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer of BET Networks, has been named chair of the gala committee of the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) annual gala. The gala, held in New York each January, is the AFUWI's premier fund-raising event in the United States where the prestigious Legacy Awards are conferred on notable individuals who represent high levels of achievement within their respective fields of industry and enterprise. Rollé succeeds Karl Rodney, chief executive officer Carib News, the largest circulated publication serving the Caribbean-American community.

"The AFUWI is pleased to announce the appointment of Janet Rollé to gala chair," said Vice-Chancellor for the UWI Professor E. Nigel Harris.

"Her exceptional marketing and leadership skills complement AFUWI's goal to benefit the bright and deserving students and honour outstanding individuals and organisations in the communities that we serve."

Rollé, a 2010 recipient of the Vice-Chancellor's Award from AFUWI, has had a distinguished career in media marketing and programming.

"Being of Jamaican descent, I am particularly delighted to chair this event for an organisation like AFUWI that is a dedicated champion for education in our community," said Rollé. "We live in a globally competitive society and the AFUWI strives to help prepare the next generation of leaders to contribute to the Caribbean region and the rest of the world."

As the executive vice-president and chief marketing officer of BET Networks, Janet Rollé directs brand, marketing and creative strategy for all businesses of BET Networks, including BET, BET digital networks and BET.com. She oversees on-air promotions, off-channel and digital marketing, and affiliate and trade marketing, and reports directly to Debra Lee, chairman and chief executive officer BET Networks.

Prior to joining BET, Rollé served as vice-president and general manager for AOL Black Voices and AOL Women's and Lifestyle Programming from 2005 to 2007. She was also vice-president, programming, enterprises and business development for VH1 and CMT at MTV Networks from 2000 to 2005. Rollé held several positions in marketing at HBO, beginning there in 1991 as special assistant to the chairman. Prior to her business career, Rollé had an extensive performing career as a classical, modern and jazz dancer in London, England.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from the State University of New York, College at Purchase, and received an MBA with a special dual concentration in marketing and film from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Rollé currently serves on the nominating committee for the board of directors of the United States Tennis Association, after having served for two terms as chairperson of the multicultural participation committee. Janet also serves on the board of directors of the Council of Urban Professionals and was recently appointed as a director of Carver Bancorp.

Janet Rollé resides in New Rochelle, New York, with her husband, Mark Keye, and son, Jason.