The Nonprofit Leadership Center is pleased to announce that Celeste Roberts has been appointed to our board of directors. Celeste is the president and CEO at The Skills Center, a sport-based youth development and education nonprofit that intentionally utilizes the power of sports to create change through academic success, life skills, and mentoring for youth ages 3 to 18.
Our society thrives because of nonprofits. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible impact the Nonprofit Leadership Center has had on my personal growth and professional development. Through their unwavering support and guidance, NLC has played a key role in shaping me into a more effective and confident leader while significantly deepening my knowledge and understanding of the field.
I firmly believe in NLC’s mission and vision, particularly their dedication to building capacity and empowering leaders. NLC’s commitment to providing thought leadership is crucial not only for shaping the present but also steering the future of the sector, ensuring it remains vibrant, relevant and forward-thinking.
Celeste has more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations in Florida and Ohio. Her career spans working at United Way of Hillsborough County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, IMPACTS Consulting, and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority.
In 2007, Celeste co-founded The Skills Center with partners Chris Ward and John Arroyo. Celeste provides the leadership, vision and strategic direction for the organization. Her goal is to improve the educational outcomes, economic prospects and life options for young people through the power of sports.
Most recently, Celeste has scaled her organization by completing a $25.5 million development project and spearheading a collective impact model with five other nonprofits. This collaborative helps young people thrive in school, foster their healthy bodies and minds, and prepare for the workforce.
Celeste was recently recognized for her work in the Tampa community by Onyx Magazine as a 2025 Women on the Move honoree, the Tampa Bay Business Journal 2024 Women of the Year honoree, Tampa Organization of Black Affairs’ Ike Tribble Civic Leadership Award, Junior League of Tampa Bay Legacy Award and the Florida Trend’s 2023 Florida 500 Executive Leaders Award.
Celeste holds an MBA and is also a graduate of the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management at The University of Tampa. She lives with her husband, Ken and daughter, Kennedy in Tampa, Florida.
