ST. HELENA, CA — From the vineyards of Napa Valley to the boardrooms of innovative startups, Celeste White has built a life dedicated to impact. Known equally as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader, Celeste blends tradition with innovation to create change that lasts. Her work bridges industries and generations, yet every endeavor she touches reflects one unifying theme: a deep commitment to gratitude, service, and purpose.
Inspiring Reflection and Collaboration Through Lux Forum
At the forefront of Celeste’s leadership is Lux Forum, the thought-leadership organization she founded to foster deeper dialogue among leaders and changemakers. As President and Chair, she curates gatherings that invite reflection on what it means to lead with integrity and intention.
Each Forum event is carefully designed to move beyond surface-level networking. Instead, participants are guided through conversations that explore gratitude, service, and collaboration as the foundations of progress. “When people come together with humility and vision, transformation happens,” Celeste often says—a statement that captures both her leadership philosophy and the Forum’s enduring mission.
Under her guidance, Lux Forum has become known for its blend of intellectual exchange and spiritual grounding. Attendees—from executives and entrepreneurs to educators and community advocates—describe the experience as energizing and restorative. The impact often extends far beyond the event itself, as collaborations formed through Lux Forum evolve into initiatives that strengthen local and global communities alike.
For Celeste, Lux Forum is more than a professional project—it’s a calling. “We live in an age of noise,” she says. “But real innovation comes from listening—listening to others, to our communities, and to the still, small voice that reminds us why we do what we do.”
Honoring Heritage Through Horse Rock Olive Oil
Celeste’s entrepreneurial spirit is also rooted in her love for the land. As CEO of Horse Rock Olive Oil, she oversees a premium estate-grown brand cultivated on her family’s ranch in St. Helena. The company embodies her family’s agricultural legacy while promoting the values she holds dear: sustainability, wellness, and stewardship.
Each bottle of Horse Rock Olive Oil reflects Napa Valley’s natural abundance and Celeste’s dedication to quality and care. From soil to harvest to press, the process is guided by a philosophy of respect—for the land, for the craft, and for the people who make it possible.
For Celeste, Horse Rock is about more than producing fine olive oil; it’s about cultivating balance and gratitude in everyday life. “The land teaches us everything we need to know about leadership,” she explains. “Patience, resilience, and faith—those lessons start in the soil.”
Her ability to merge business acumen with purpose has transformed Horse Rock Olive Oil into more than a brand—it’s a story of family, heritage, and mindful living.
Purpose-Driven Innovation in Healthcare
Celeste’s vision for innovation also extends into healthcare, where she co-founded Stitches Medical and WearTootles.com. These ventures reflect her belief that entrepreneurship should improve lives and strengthen communities.
Stitches Medical focuses on designing practical, compassionate healthcare solutions that prioritize patient comfort and dignity, while WearTootles.com integrates wearable technology to support health and wellness. Both ventures demonstrate how innovation can be both empathetic and impactful.
Through these projects, Celeste has proven that success in business is not about disruption for its own sake—it’s about creating value that serves others. Her approach blends strategic foresight with human understanding, positioning her as a voice for what she calls “compassionate innovation”—the art of solving problems with both intelligence and empathy.
“Technology is powerful,” she says, “but it’s compassion that turns innovation into healing.”
A Lifelong Commitment to Service and Mentorship
Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Celeste has dedicated decades to service, mentorship, and philanthropy across Northern California. A graduate and trustee of Westmont College, she continues to invest her time and energy in initiatives that nurture leadership, strengthen families, and expand opportunities for youth.
Her influence reaches across a range of organizations, including The Salvation Army, Hospice, Ag 4 Youth, and the U.S. Pony Club, where she mentors young equestrians. For Celeste, these roles are not side endeavors—they are integral to her life’s purpose.
“Service keeps us grounded,” she notes. “It reminds us that leadership isn’t about recognition; it’s about responsibility.”
Her faith-based approach to leadership has earned her wide respect and recognition. Alongside her husband, Dr. Robert White, she was honored with The Salvation Army’s Nehemiah Award, celebrating their shared dedication to community, generosity, and spiritual service. The award underscores what those who know Celeste best already understand—her success is defined not by what she has built, but by what she continues to give.
Grounded in Faith, Family, and the Napa Valley Way of Life
Despite her many professional and civic accomplishments, Celeste remains deeply connected to her roots. Life on her family ranch—surrounded by olive groves, horses, and the quiet rhythm of nature—serves as both anchor and inspiration.
Her passion for equestrian life mirrors the values that guide her leadership: discipline, trust, and balance. She often draws parallels between horsemanship and her approach to business. “Horses teach you presence and humility,” she says. “You can’t lead through force—you lead through understanding and respect.”
It’s this philosophy that allows her to navigate multiple worlds—corporate, agricultural, philanthropic—without losing her center. Faith remains the constant thread that unites them all. It informs her decisions, deepens her compassion, and shapes her vision for what leadership should look like in the modern age.
A Legacy of Gratitude and Growth
As Napa Valley continues to evolve, Celeste White stands as a bridge between its storied past and its promising future. Through her ventures—Lux Forum, Horse Rock Olive Oil, Stitches Medical, and WearTootles.com—she has created a model for leadership that harmonizes ambition with altruism, progress with purpose.
Her journey illustrates that innovation and compassion are not competing forces but complementary ones. True leadership, she shows, is measured not by scale or speed but by the lives touched, the communities strengthened, and the gratitude sustained along the way.
Whether she’s hosting a forum, mentoring a student, or walking her ranch at sunset, Celeste White continues to embody the spirit of Napa Valley—resilient, reflective, and deeply rooted in purpose. Her legacy is one of light and leadership, a reminder that when vision is guided by gratitude, it can transform not just a business, but an entire community.
