Influential Woman · Diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting

Celeste Warren

Founder | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant | TedX Speaker, Celeste Warren Consulting LLC

Skippack, PA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree University of Kentucky Degree Carnegie Mellon University

Her Story

About Celeste

I retired from Merck last year in July after serving as Chief Diversity Officer and founded my own firm called Celeste Warren Consulting, LLC. I also launched my second book, The Truth About Equity. I spent 11 years specifically in the DE&I space and 40 years total in corporate America in Human Resources. Earlier in my career, I was actually a reporter, and then I switched careers, went to grad school, and worked in human resources at General Foods, then Kraft Foods, and then came to Merck where I was for 28 years until I retired. Now I do diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting, speaking, training workshops. I create workshops for organizations, speak at organizations and universities and nonprofits, and help with promoting my book through podcasts and other speaking engagements. My typical day involves the things that go with starting up a startup organization - marketing, social media management, content creation, creating workshops, presentations, promoting the book, doing podcasts, doing speaking engagements. It's different each day.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Celeste

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my faith and my parents, Russell and Mary Phillips, who were the best mentors that I think anyone could have. My father was the first Black teacher and Black principal in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, and so I learned from him every day, seeing what his struggles were and how he overcame them.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I have received is to be true to yourself and elevate your voice on behalf of yourself and those who haven't felt empowered to elevate their own voices.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say don't assimilate, accelerate.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The challenges I have faced are that people may not embrace diversity and inclusion. The areas of opportunity in my field are reaching more people so they understand it in a time when there's so much divisiveness, helping people to understand the importance of inclusion, belonging, and equitable and fair practices.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My faith is very important to me, as well as servant leadership and integrity. These are the main values that guide both my work and personal life.

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