Her Story
About Celeste
Celeste Banks is a public-sector innovation and grant strategy professional with more than 10 years of experience helping municipalities, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and school systems secure funding and strengthen organizational capacity. She currently serves as Grants Development & Innovation Officer for the City of Newark, where she leads strategic grant initiatives and supports a municipal grant portfolio exceeding $100 million. Her expertise encompasses federal and state grant management, grant writing, compliance, administration, funding strategy, and cross-sector partnerships. Throughout her career, she has helped secure and manage more than $50 million in public and private grant funding.
In addition to her public-sector role, Celeste is the owner of Power Partners, where she provides grant writing, proposal development, strategic alignment, and funding strategy services. Her professional background also includes serving as a grant writer for Municipal Consultants, LLC, as well as an adjunct professor of Fine Arts at Essex County College. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade in education, experiences that helped shape her understanding of organizational leadership, program development, and the importance of sustainable funding. Her work reflects a strong commitment to helping organizations identify funding opportunities, build effective systems, and translate strategic priorities into measurable community impact.
Celeste holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History, Criticism and Conservation from Seton Hall University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Grand Canyon University. She also holds New Jersey Department of Education certifications as a School Principal and Supervisor and School Business Administrator. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Celeste contributes to the community through board and volunteer service, including work with Women in Ethics & Compliance Global and New Jersey's Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network. Through her combined experience in education, government, grants, and organizational leadership, she continues to promote strategic funding practices and partnerships that strengthen institutions and create lasting community impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Celeste
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion, determination, and dedication. These qualities keep me motivated, focused, and committed to achieving my goals.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is not to be afraid to take risks. My career has evolved because I was willing to embrace change and try new opportunities. Transitioning from teaching to supervision was a significant shift, but I saw it as an opportunity to grow, develop professionally, and expand my skills.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to build and maintain strong professional relationships. Get involved in organizations, network actively, and learn to use AI as a valuable tool. Stay current with technology, policy, trends, and news affecting the grants field so you can remain informed, adaptable, and competitive.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field is that grant writers are often underpaid relative to the level of skill and responsibility required. However, there are opportunities to move into grant management and compliance, where compensation can be stronger. Building a strong professional network can also create opportunities to work independently and establish your own consulting practice.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is my biggest value. It translates to relationships with people and family. Being transparent, having integrity, and follow through is critical in grant writing and management.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.