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Embracing Diversity and Leading with Purpose | Career Lessons from Celeste Warren
How do you really make Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work, not just as a policy, but as something that’s lived and felt in an organisation?
In this episode, I sit down with Celeste Warren, a globally recognised HR and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) leader with nearly 40 years of experience at some of the world’s largest corporations.
Celeste shares her inspiring career journey, from her early days as a journalist, to becoming a global HR executive, to specialising in DEI leadership. She reflects on the powerful influence of her father and how his experiences shaped her own perspective on resilience and inclusion.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:
➡️ How Celeste pivoted from journalism to human resources
➡️ What DEI really is, what it isn't and why everybody wins when you get it right
➡️ The lessons she learned from embedding DEI into corporate strategy at Merck
➡️ The challenges and opportunities of rolling out DEI on a global scale
➡️ Why continuous learning and authentic leadership are critical for leaders today
➡️ Her advice for the next generation of professionals stepping into leadership roles
Celeste also shares her next chapter: launching her own consulting practice and publishing her book, 'The Truth about Equity', while staying focused on empowering others to embrace diversity and lead with purpose.
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:10 Celeste's Early Life and Career Beginnings
02:47 Transition to Human Resources
04:53 Career at Merck & Pivot to DEI
09:23 What DEI Really Means
12:11 Embedding DEI in Large Organisations
18:28 Global Perspectives on Inclusion
26:19 Common DEI Challenges & Misunderstandings
39:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections
👉 If you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply curious about how to create more inclusive workplaces, this conversation is packed with practical insights and powerful stories you won’t want to miss.
To connect with Celeste:
🌍 Website: https://crwdiversity.com/
📖 Book: https://crwdiversity.com/#book
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/
Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:
💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you
💡 Confidently communicate your value
💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network
💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move
💡 Navigate the job market effectively
💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint
🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:
Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/
🎁 Free Resources:
📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice
📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide
📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:
https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call
View all episodes
By Emma GrahamHow do you really make Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work, not just as a policy, but as something that’s lived and felt in an organisation?
In this episode, I sit down with Celeste Warren, a globally recognised HR and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) leader with nearly 40 years of experience at some of the world’s largest corporations.
Celeste shares her inspiring career journey, from her early days as a journalist, to becoming a global HR executive, to specialising in DEI leadership. She reflects on the powerful influence of her father and how his experiences shaped her own perspective on resilience and inclusion.
💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:
➡️ How Celeste pivoted from journalism to human resources
➡️ What DEI really is, what it isn't and why everybody wins when you get it right
➡️ The lessons she learned from embedding DEI into corporate strategy at Merck
➡️ The challenges and opportunities of rolling out DEI on a global scale
➡️ Why continuous learning and authentic leadership are critical for leaders today
➡️ Her advice for the next generation of professionals stepping into leadership roles
Celeste also shares her next chapter: launching her own consulting practice and publishing her book, 'The Truth about Equity', while staying focused on empowering others to embrace diversity and lead with purpose.
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:10 Celeste's Early Life and Career Beginnings
02:47 Transition to Human Resources
04:53 Career at Merck & Pivot to DEI
09:23 What DEI Really Means
12:11 Embedding DEI in Large Organisations
18:28 Global Perspectives on Inclusion
26:19 Common DEI Challenges & Misunderstandings
39:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections
👉 If you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply curious about how to create more inclusive workplaces, this conversation is packed with practical insights and powerful stories you won’t want to miss.
To connect with Celeste:
🌍 Website: https://crwdiversity.com/
📖 Book: https://crwdiversity.com/#book
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/
Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:
💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you
💡 Confidently communicate your value
💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network
💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move
💡 Navigate the job market effectively
💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint
🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:
Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/
🎁 Free Resources:
📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice
📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide
📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:
https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call