Celeste L. Rivera is LatinoJustice’s Director of Major Individual Giving. Celeste brings more than 15 years of experience developing and managing innovative fund development, volunteer engagement, and capacity building initiatives and events across the education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. Most recently, Celeste was the Senior Manager for Alumni Impact at Uncommon Schools, where she built their alumni network from the ground up and created support for Uncommon Schools while also centering the alumni experience and supporting alumni as they work towards achieving personal economic freedom. She has previously worked at East Harlem Tutorial Program, Girls Inc. of NYC, the United Way of NYC, and Barnard College, and has experience consulting with nonprofits on fundraising, board development, and special events.

Celeste holds a J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, and she attended Barnard College, Columbia University earning a B.A. in Political Science with a double minor in Latin American Studies and Dance. Celeste is a LatinoJustice alumna having participated in our programs as an undergraduate and law student. Also, an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and fitness instructor, Celeste looks to inspire individuals through building community in many forms whether in philanthropy, artistic circles, or beyond.