BA 1983 Communication, Purdue
JD 1986, Northern Kentucky University

Deputy Regional Manager, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Region V, Chicago, IL

As Deputy Regional Manager, Celeste is responsible for managing the day to day operations of a staff of investigators and administrative personnel. OCR enforces the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, and also enforces Federal civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination in the delivery of health and human services because of race, color, national origin, disability, age, and under certain circumstances, sex and religion.

Prior to joining OCR in 2007, Celeste was a practicing attorney in the labor and employment arena, including positions as a Senior Trial Attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Supervisory Attorney for EEOC's Mediation Program, both in Chicago. In 2001, Celeste was appointed Deputy Director for Policy, for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in Washington, D.C. Celeste is licensed to practice law in the States of Illinois and Ohio, and is also a member of the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Celeste has served on the CLA Alumni Board since 2006. Over the years, Celeste has actively volunteered her time in local soup kitchens and feeding programs, as well as, youth mentoring programs.

In this section

• Alumni Board