Celeste Perilla is a Baltimore native, social worker, and community advocate dedicated to advancing equity and empowering leaders across Maryland. Born at Johns Hopkins Hospital and raised in Southeast and West Baltimore, Celeste’s personal and professional journey is deeply rooted in her hometown. Her early career as a labor organizer with SEIU and a case manager to older adults in West Baltimore brought her face-to-face with issues of inequity, sparking a lifelong commitment to social justice.

With a background in grassroots political organizing and campaign management, Celeste transitioned into education equity work with Teach for America and Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE). She now serves as the Director of Regional Impact for Maryland at LEE, where she focuses on building community capacity and supporting leaders of color and women to drive positive change. A proud graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools, Celeste has successfully recruited and supported over 20 LEE members in running for political office, amplifying diverse voices in Maryland’s leadership landscape.

In addition to her advocacy work, Celeste is a passionate storyteller and emerging poet, exploring themes of identity, caregiving, resilience, and community through her writing. Currently, she is developing a personal narrative project that chronicles her life through the different neighborhoods of Baltimore she has called home, celebrating the city’s rich history and culture. Her work is a testament to her belief in the power of community driven change.