NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA — In the rolling hills of St. Helena, where vineyards meet community and tradition embraces innovation, Celeste White has built a career and life that reflect purpose in motion. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, Celeste’s work spans industries but is united by a single guiding principle: that leadership is at its best when it uplifts others.
From boardrooms to olive groves, Celeste’s journey demonstrates how vision and gratitude can shape enterprises that serve both people and place. Her influence stretches across business, wellness, and philanthropy—woven together by her deep commitment to service, sustainability, and faith.
Building Connection and Conversation Through Lux Forum
At the heart of Celeste’s leadership is Lux Forum, the thought-leadership organization she founded and now chairs. Lux Forum was born from her desire to create spaces where reflection, gratitude, and collaboration lead to transformation.
Each Lux Forum event is carefully designed to bring together leaders from diverse backgrounds—entrepreneurs, educators, civic advocates, and innovators—to exchange ideas that transcend industry boundaries. The gatherings invite participants to look beyond success metrics and to explore what it means to lead with integrity and purpose.
“Gratitude and community are the heart of every meaningful conversation,” Celeste says. “When we take time to listen, we discover that innovation and service are not opposites—they’re partners in progress.”
Under her leadership, Lux Forum has grown into a trusted space for dialogue and renewal. The organization’s influence reaches far beyond Napa Valley, inspiring leaders to align their professional ambitions with deeper values of stewardship, empathy, and shared responsibility.
Cultivating Legacy: The Story of Horse Rock Olive Oil
Celeste’s entrepreneurial drive finds tangible expression in the soil of her family’s ranch in St. Helena, where she leads Horse Rock Olive Oil as CEO. The premium, estate-grown brand is both a tribute to her family’s heritage and a statement of her belief in sustainability and wellness as cornerstones of modern life.
Horse Rock Olive Oil captures the essence of Napa Valley—its craftsmanship, its respect for the land, and its dedication to quality. Every harvest is a family affair, a celebration of tradition paired with a commitment to environmentally conscious farming. For Celeste, each bottle represents more than fine olive oil—it represents a connection between people, place, and purpose.
Through Horse Rock, she has championed local agriculture and sustainable practices that protect the land for future generations. “The earth has always given generously,” she reflects. “It’s our responsibility to give back with the same care and intention.”
The company stands as a model for how legacy businesses can evolve while honoring their roots—a balance that defines much of Celeste’s leadership philosophy.
Compassionate Innovation in Healthcare
Celeste’s entrepreneurial reach extends well beyond agriculture. In the healthcare space, she has co-founded Stitches Medical and WearTootles.com, ventures that embody her belief in compassionate innovation—where progress serves humanity first.
Both companies were founded on the principle that design and technology should enhance comfort, accessibility, and dignity for patients and caregivers alike. Stitches Medical focuses on products that simplify recovery and care, while WearTootles.com integrates wearable technology to improve wellness and daily living.
Through these ventures, Celeste has demonstrated how business innovation can respond to human need with empathy and imagination. Her approach reflects a conviction that the most successful enterprises are those that make life better for others.
“Innovation isn’t just about creating new products,” she often notes. “It’s about creating new ways to care.”
A Lifelong Commitment to Faith and Service
Beyond her entrepreneurial achievements, Celeste has dedicated decades to education, mentorship, and community service throughout Northern California. A graduate and trustee of Westmont College, she continues to invest her time and expertise in organizations that empower young people, strengthen families, and nurture faith-based initiatives.
Her volunteerism and board leadership include longtime involvement with The Salvation Army, Hospice, Ag 4 Youth, and the U.S. Pony Club—where she mentors young equestrians and future leaders alike. Through these efforts, she has modeled servant leadership rooted in generosity, humility, and action.
Celeste’s impact has not gone unnoticed. Alongside her husband, Dr. Robert White, she was honored with The Salvation Army’s Nehemiah Award, recognizing their outstanding dedication to leadership and community service. The award reflects a shared philosophy between them: that faith and compassion are the cornerstones of lasting influence.
Life on the Ranch: Grounded in Purpose and Gratitude
Despite her many roles and accomplishments, Celeste remains grounded—literally and spiritually—in the rhythms of ranch life. Surrounded by vineyards, olive trees, and horses, she draws inspiration from the landscape that has shaped her family for generations.
Her lifelong passion for equestrian life mirrors the qualities that define her leadership: discipline, resilience, and grace. She often compares her approach to horsemanship with her approach to business—both require trust, communication, and a steady balance between strength and sensitivity.
“When you work with horses, you learn that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about connection,” Celeste says. “It’s about earning trust, staying calm, and leading by example.”
This grounded wisdom extends into every aspect of her professional and philanthropic life, guiding her through moments of growth and challenge with quiet confidence.
A Legacy of Leadership and Light
As Napa Valley continues to evolve, Celeste White stands as a bridge between tradition and innovation—between the past that shaped her and the future she continues to inspire. Her career is a testament to the power of combining business acumen with moral clarity, and her life’s work offers a blueprint for leading with authenticity and care.
Through Lux Forum, Horse Rock Olive Oil, her healthcare ventures, and decades of community service, Celeste has shown that success is not measured by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute. Her story reminds us that gratitude is not just an attitude—it’s a way of building, connecting, and leading.
Whether she is hosting a forum, mentoring a student, or tending to her horses under the golden Napa sun, Celeste White continues to embody the timeless truth that the most enduring legacies are built not on ambition alone, but on service, vision, and heart.
