Celeste Warren

Moderator | Ladder Up: Fast-Track Your Leadership Ascent

Celeste Warren is a visionary leader who had an impressive 28-year tenure at Merck, where she
rose to the esteemed position of Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. During
her decade-long leadership of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence, Celeste
implemented groundbreaking initiatives that fostered a culture of inclusivity and equity, setting
new standards in the industry.
After her retirement, Celeste founded Celeste Warren Consulting, LLC, where she passionately
continues her mission to reshape the landscape of diversity and inclusion. Her consulting
services empower organizations to create fair and equitable opportunities for all, driving
meaningful change and enhancing workplace culture.
In addition to her consulting work, Celeste, alongside her two children, established Destination
STEM, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing vital resources and support to
students of color and those in need pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM).
Throughout her illustrious career, Celeste has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion on a
global scale, elevating the importance of understanding diverse cultures, perspectives, and
beliefs within corporate strategies. Her visionary approach not only reshaped Merck’s internal
culture but also influenced the broader business landscape, empowering organizations worldwide
to embrace inclusivity as a cornerstone of success.
Recognized internationally for her pivotal contributions, Celeste has inspired countless individuals
and organizations to commit to meaningful change, fostering environments where everyone can
thrive. She has been recognized for her work in diversity, equity and inclusion including:
 Black Enterprise’s “Top Executives in Global Diversity and Inclusion”
 Savoy Magazine’s “Most Influential Women in Corporate America”
 Diversity Global Magazine’s “Influential Women in Global Diversity”
 Diversity Woman Magazine’s: “Elite100” List
She was also recognized as the Chief Diversity Officer of the Year by the National Minority
Supplier Development Council.
She serves on the boards of RWJBarnabas Health Systems, the PA Conference for Women and
Paradigm for Parity. She is also a member of the CNBC Workforce Executive Council.
Celeste is a published author and her articles on diversity, equity and inclusion have been
featured in numerous national and global publications and she has had the opportunity to speak
at various events across the world.
Celeste attended the University of Kentucky where she earned her B.S. degree. She received her
master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
She is the wife of John Warren and the mother of two children, Christina-Celeste and John
Steven, Jr.