Celeste Flores
Executive Director
I Live Here, I Give Here
Austin, TX USA
“Understand what it means to be a good human. That is your baseline.”
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Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas.
Attended Texas A&M University where she received her bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Her first job out of college was working as an IT consultant—after working there for 3 years, she decided to take a leave of absence because she felt like she belonged somewhere else.
After 9/11 happened, she had heard that the local Red Cross was looking for help, so she took a volunteer position in the development department helping with fundraising.
Credits this experience with introducing her to the nonprofit industry and sparking her interest in philanthropy as a force for social change.
She has held nonprofit development positions at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, Texas Children’s Hospital, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, and Foundation for the Carolinas.
She currently leads I Live Here, I Give Here and its flagship program, Amplify Austin, which seeks to identify strategic partnerships that will push the importance of giving back in Central Texas.
Says that where she is today is due to having access and opportunity and, thus, she has focused her own brand of philanthropy around creating that for children and underserved communities.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Texas A & M University-College Station
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Texas A & M University-College Station
Career
Executive Director
I lead a nonprofit seeking to make Austin the most generous community in the nation.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Technology
Helping People
Day to Day
My day to day work is constantly impacted by my desire to create access and opportunity for those who don't have it. My main role is to serve as an advocate for the community of nonprofits that we have built. As the Executive Director, I am responsible for the health, vision, and focus of the organization as a whole. I also am tasked with leading our staff members and providing guidance and support to them. I am constantly fundraising. I do a little bit of everything on a daily basis.
Skills & Qualities Beyond School
Know how to communicate effectively with others. With nonprofit work and fundraising, don't get discouraged by the "no's". You have to build a tough skin and take things as they come.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Give back to your community! Volunteerism is the best way to get know about nonprofits in your area and the causes they support. Also, get involved at your school. Join clubs, play sports, participate in activities. The more you get involved the more adept at giving back you become.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Bachelor
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
Bachelor
Organizational Leadership
Organizational Leadership
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I am too shy to get involved."
I went to a very small all-girls Catholic high school and I was a wallflower. Going to Texas A&M (a huge university) brought me out of my shell and motivated me to get involved.
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Financial
It was hard trying to figure out how to afford college.
Mental Health Issues
Mental Health Issues
In college, I developed a lot of anxiety and used to get hives. Balancing my family life & the chaotic world of running a nonprofit doesn't leave me a lot of "free time" that is just for me. I take moments wherever I can to focus on my mental health.