SCHWENKSVILLE, PA, August 06, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Celeste R. Warren has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Warren has established an impressive career in the realm of diversity, equity and inclusion. As the founder of Celeste Warren Consulting LLC, she partners with organizations across various sectors to transform their approach to these critical areas. Her work focuses on strategy and impact, equipping leaders with the tools and insights needed to build inclusive cultures where every voice is heard, valued and empowered. Her dedication to creating environments where everyone can thrive is evident in her extensive and impactful work aimed at making a significant impact on many lives. Additionally, she manages Destination STEM, Inc., a nonprofit organization she runs with her children that inspires students of color and those in need to explore STEM-related fields.

Prior to founding her consulting firm in 2025, Ms. Warren served as vice president of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence at Merck & Co. Inc. from 2016 to 2025. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in transforming diversity and inclusion from a primarily U.S.-focused concept into a global and business imperative. Her efforts have positioned Merck as a leader in diversity and inclusion within the industry. From 2011 to 2016, she held the position of vice president of the Manufacturing Division and Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence at Merck, where she continued to drive organizational change.

Ms. Warren's career at Merck began in 1997 when she joined as an HR business partner, later advancing to HR director and senior director roles until 2007. She then became a human resources leader for Merck Vaccines from 2009 to 2011, where she successfully integrated vaccine research, manufacturing and commercial marketing into a cohesive business unit. This collaboration led to the establishment of the Merck Vaccines Integrated Leadership Team, which remains the governing body for the vaccine business today.

Her journey in human resources began at General Foods, then Kraft Foods (now The Kraft Heinz Company) in 1989, where she worked as an HR director until 1997. Her experience there included HR Leadership within the sales organization and the manufacturing division where she served as a Labor Relations Director developing HR strategies during plant expansions. This foundation laid the groundwork for her subsequent success at Merck.

Ms. Warren's academic achievements include a Master of Science in Human Resources from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania in 1989 and a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunications from the University of Kentucky in 1985. Her education has been instrumental in shaping her career path and expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion; change management; organizational development; staffing; HR analytics; culture change; and labor relations.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Warren is actively involved with several civic organizations. She has served on the board of the Pennsylvania Conference for Women since 2025 and is a board member of Paradigm for Parity LLC. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for RWJBarnabas Health and has been a Trustee member since June of 2019. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Pennsylvania by Women We Admire in 2025 and Chief Diversity Officer of the Year in 2024 by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. She attributes her success to the foundation she finds in her faith, family and friends.

As an author, Ms. Warren has published "The Truth About Equity: What It Really Is, What It Isn't and Why Everyone Wins When We Get It Right" in 2025 and "How to be a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador: Everyone's Role in Helping All Feel Accepted, Engaged and Valued" in 2022. These works reflect her commitment to educating others about diversity, equity and inclusion.

In her personal life, Ms. Warren enjoyed attending her children's sporting events when they were student athletes both in high school and in college. She also enjoys working out to stay healthy and reading murder mysteries by authors such as Mary Higgins Clark, Beverly Barton and Mary Burton. She also finds joy in watching mysteries and thrillers and detective stories on television. Looking ahead, Ms. Warren aims to continue her work in diversity, equity and inclusion by fostering conversations that address divisive issues and educating people about these important concepts.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

# # #