ST. HELENA, CA — In a world where business often races ahead of community, Celeste White has built a career that proves innovation and service can thrive side by side. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, Celeste is helping shape the future of Napa Valley while remaining deeply rooted in its enduring traditions. Her journey blends vision with values, illustrating how purposeful leadership can transform both industries and communities.
Inspiring Ideas and Action Through Lux Forum
At the helm of Lux Forum, the thought-leadership organization she founded, Celeste is redefining what it means to bring people together for meaningful change. Lux Forum convenes innovators, executives, and changemakers from across disciplines to share ideas that inspire reflection and spark collaboration. Each gathering is designed not simply as an event but as an experience—one that encourages leaders to align ambition with empathy, strategy with gratitude.
Under Celeste’s direction, Lux Forum has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most distinctive hubs for dialogue and transformation. The sessions are intentionally intimate, built around themes such as gratitude, leadership, and the social responsibility of innovation. Through these conversations, new partnerships are born, and ideas take root—spreading from Napa Valley into industries and communities across the country.
“Real innovation begins when people connect with purpose,” Celeste often says. “When gratitude guides our thinking, collaboration becomes natural—and impact becomes inevitable.”
Her leadership style reflects this philosophy. At Lux Forum, every voice is valued, every conversation approached with respect. By creating a culture of open exchange and shared mission, Celeste has positioned the Forum not just as a platform for thought, but as a movement toward more conscious, community-centered leadership.
Building Legacy Through Horse Rock Olive Oil
Beyond the boardroom, Celeste’s entrepreneurial energy thrives in the soil of her family’s ranch in St. Helena. As CEO of Horse Rock Olive Oil, she oversees an estate-grown, artisanal brand that reflects both her agricultural heritage and her modern commitment to sustainability and wellness.
The company was born out of her family’s deep connection to the land. Today, Horse Rock Olive Oil produces small-batch, premium olive oil that captures the essence of Napa Valley—crafted with care, rooted in place, and guided by ethical farming practices. Each bottle is a celebration of craftsmanship, quality, and gratitude for the natural abundance of the region.
For Celeste, Horse Rock Olive Oil is more than a business; it’s a reflection of her belief that wellness and sustainability go hand in hand. “The land teaches us balance,” she explains. “It reminds us that growth must be nurtured, not forced—and that stewardship is both a privilege and a responsibility.”
Through Horse Rock, she has built a brand that resonates far beyond its product line—a symbol of mindful entrepreneurship grounded in respect for nature, community, and family.
Compassionate Innovation in Healthcare
Celeste’s entrepreneurial vision extends into healthcare, where she has co-founded Stitches Medical and WearTootles.com. Both ventures embody her commitment to compassionate innovation—using technology and design to enhance quality of life and improve patient care.
Stitches Medical focuses on developing products that combine functionality with empathy, addressing real needs in the patient experience. WearTootles.com, meanwhile, explores wearable technology to promote health and independence, integrating thoughtful design with everyday practicality.
In both enterprises, Celeste’s leadership philosophy shines through: that entrepreneurship achieves its highest form when it serves humanity. “Innovation means little without compassion,” she says. “When we design solutions with empathy, we build a better future for everyone.”
Her healthcare ventures are not only commercially successful but socially impactful—proof that business can be both profitable and profoundly human.
A Lifelong Commitment to Service and Mentorship
While Celeste’s professional achievements span industries, her greatest investment has always been in people. A graduate and trustee of Westmont College, she has dedicated decades to mentoring young leaders and supporting educational, faith-based, and community initiatives across Northern California.
Her service extends through organizations including The Salvation Army, Hospice, Ag 4 Youth, and the U.S. Pony Club. In each, she brings her unique blend of empathy, strategic thinking, and encouragement. Whether she’s mentoring equestrian youth, guiding nonprofit boards, or supporting local families, Celeste’s approach to service is deeply personal.
Together with her husband, Dr. Robert White, she was honored with The Salvation Army’s Nehemiah Award, recognizing their enduring dedication to leadership and community service. For Celeste, such recognition reflects a shared belief that true leadership is measured not by status, but by the positive difference made in others’ lives.
Her mentorship legacy continues to grow. Generations of students, colleagues, and young professionals cite her guidance as a pivotal influence—a quiet but powerful force that has helped them find both direction and confidence.
Grounded in Faith and the Napa Valley Way of Life
Despite her many achievements, Celeste remains firmly grounded in the rhythms of ranch life. The vineyards, olive trees, and horses of her St. Helena home serve as both sanctuary and inspiration. It is here, among the golden hills and quiet mornings, that she finds clarity and renewal.
Her love for equestrian life mirrors her approach to leadership: steady, graceful, and responsive. Riding, like leading, requires trust, patience, and a sense of balance. “You can’t rush a horse—or a team,” she reflects. “You lead best when you listen, stay calm, and move forward with intention.”
Faith also plays a central role in her life. It is her compass in decision-making and her foundation in times of change. Through faith, she has learned that leadership is not about control but about service; not about recognition, but about responsibility.
A Legacy Rooted in Gratitude
As Napa Valley continues to evolve, Celeste White stands as a bridge between its past and its future—preserving what is timeless while embracing what is new. Her ventures, from Lux Forum to Horse Rock Olive Oil to her healthcare innovations, all reflect a consistent theme: that purpose and progress belong together.
Her journey is a reminder that success is not defined by profit margins or accolades, but by the lives touched, the opportunities created, and the communities strengthened along the way.
Through her vision, her service, and her faith, Celeste continues to inspire those around her to lead with courage and compassion. For Napa Valley and beyond, she remains a living example that when innovation grows from gratitude, its impact endures—rooted in both heart and purpose.
