Celeste Warren

VP, Global Diversity & Inclusion Center of Excellence Merck

Celeste Warren is Vice President, Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence. As the leader for Merck’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence, she is responsible for working with Merck’s global leaders to advance and embed diversity and inclusion throughout the organization to enhance the employee experience and maximize business performance. Ms. Warren joined Merck in 1997 and has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility within the organization. Prior to joining Merck in 1997, Celeste worked for nine years at Kraft Foods, Inc. and General Foods. She has been honored with many awards, including: • Black Enterprise’s “Top Executives in Global Diversity and Inclusion” • Savoy Magazine’s “Most Influential Women in Corporate America” • Women’s eNews’ “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” • Diversity Global Magazine’s “Influential Women in Global Diversity” • Diversity Woman Magazine’s: “Elite100” List She serves on the boards of RWJBarnabas Health Systems and “All In Together” and Merck’s Political Action Committee. She is also a member of CNBC’s Workforce Executive Council and World 50’s Inclusion and Diversity Impact Community. Celeste’s 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.