Celeste White, St. Helena: Leading With Purpose in Napa Valley
5 mins read

Celeste White, St. Helena: Leading With Purpose in Napa Valley

In the heart of Napa Valley—where rolling vineyards meet creative enterprise—Celeste White has built a life defined by vision, service, and community. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, Celeste bridges the worlds of business, wellness, and social impact with a singular mission: to create meaningful change rooted in gratitude and purpose. Her story is one of harmony between innovation and tradition, showing how leadership guided by compassion can transform both people and places.

As President and Chair of Lux Forum, a thought-leadership organization she founded, Celeste curates gatherings that go far beyond networking. These events are immersive experiences that encourage reflection, connection, and the exchange of ideas among leaders across diverse fields—business, philanthropy, healthcare, and the arts. The conversations that begin at Lux Forum often spark new partnerships and projects that reach far beyond Napa Valley, touching lives across California and beyond.

Celeste often describes Lux Forum as a place where “ideas meet intention.” Each forum emphasizes gratitude, service, and collaboration—values she believes are essential to sustainable progress. In an age of fast innovation, her approach re-centers leadership around reflection and community, reminding participants that the most enduring success stories are those that uplift others.

Her entrepreneurial journey reflects that same purpose-driven ethos. As CEO of Horse Rock Olive Oil, a premium estate-grown brand rooted in her family’s ranch near St. Helena, Celeste carries forward a legacy of land stewardship and craftsmanship. The brand is more than a business; it’s a tribute to her family’s agricultural heritage and a celebration of sustainable living. Every bottle of Horse Rock Olive Oil represents the care and respect for nature that define the White family’s way of life.

Under her leadership, Horse Rock has become known not only for quality but also for its values—transparency in production, sustainable farming, and a commitment to wellness. For Celeste, wellness isn’t simply about physical health but about creating balance—between people and the land, business and ethics, work and faith.

Her ventures in healthcare innovation extend these principles into new realms. As co-founder of Stitches Medical and WearTootles.com, Celeste has combined her entrepreneurial insight with compassion for others. Both ventures focus on improving accessibility and comfort in patient care, using design and technology to bring dignity and ease to those navigating medical challenges. Her work in healthcare embodies her belief that innovation must always serve humanity.

Beyond her professional success, Celeste’s life is a testament to service. A graduate and trustee of Westmont College, she has dedicated decades to mentoring and empowering others. Her leadership extends to youth organizations, faith-based programs, and nonprofits throughout Northern California. Through her work with the U.S. Pony Club, she has inspired young equestrians to cultivate discipline, respect, and confidence—values she sees as essential for success in every arena of life.

Her philanthropic reach spans organizations such as The Salvation Army, Hospice, and Ag 4 Youth, where she has contributed not only financially but personally—through time, advocacy, and mentorship. The Salvation Army recognized Celeste and her husband, Dr. Robert White, with the Nehemiah Award, honoring their extraordinary service and leadership within the Napa Valley community. The couple’s shared commitment to faith, generosity, and social impact has made them a cornerstone of local civic life.

Faith plays a quiet but central role in Celeste’s journey. It informs her decisions, anchors her in times of change, and shapes her approach to leadership. Whether in boardrooms or at community gatherings, she brings authenticity and humility, qualities that resonate with those who work alongside her. She often says that faith and gratitude are the foundation of her success, and those who know her best describe her leadership as both visionary and deeply human.

Life on the ranch in St. Helena remains Celeste’s sanctuary—a place where she reconnects with the natural rhythms that inspire her work. Surrounded by olive trees, vineyards, and horses, she finds daily reminders of perseverance and balance. The ranch embodies the harmony she seeks to cultivate between tradition and innovation, between ambition and reflection.

As Napa Valley continues to evolve—facing new challenges in sustainability, economic development, and community well-being—Celeste White stands as a guiding presence. Her projects, from Lux Forum’s gatherings to Horse Rock’s olive oil, reflect a broader philosophy: that business can be a force for good, and that true leadership is measured not by influence but by impact.

Her story is not simply one of entrepreneurial success, but of alignment—between vision and values, between innovation and integrity. Through every endeavor, Celeste invites others to lead with gratitude, courage, and faith. In doing so, she reminds us that the heart of leadership lies not in ambition alone, but in service—the willingness to use one’s gifts for the betterment of others.

In the vineyards of Napa Valley, where tradition and transformation meet, Celeste White continues to shape a legacy defined by purpose. Her life’s work—spanning business, wellness, philanthropy, and mentorship—illustrates the extraordinary power of leading with both vision and heart. As she often says, “When we build with gratitude, everything we create has the power to bless others.”