Johnny Celestin

Johnny Celestin is a current faculty member at the Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs program.  He was recently the Executive Director of the Future Leaders Foundation (FLF) and was also the Executive Director of the Centre Haïtien du Leadership et de l’Excellence (CLE), a Haitian foundation whose vision is to identify, shape, and connect Haitian leaders to enable them to build a stronger and more equitable Haiti.

Before Joining CLE, Johnny was the deputy chief of staff for Haiti’s Minister of Planning where he oversaw various special projects.  He brings extensive leadership and international experience in administration, program management, change management, governance, leadership development and community development.  He brings over 30 years of experience from the private, public and philanthropic sectors, including Accenture, LLP, The Robin Hood Foundation and The Clinton Foundation, among others.

Johnny is also an entrepreneur and has founded a number of businesses and organizations, including: The Black Pearl Café in Harlem, 420Lenox LLC in Harlem, the Haiti Innovation Fund at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Center for Innovation and Management in Haiti and Black Pearl Innovation S.A. in Haiti.

Johnny is a New School University graduate with a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Iona College. He has also received various certifications in Organizational Performance from Accenture, Leadership and Teamwork from MIT, New Communities Movement (Saemaul Undong) from Yeungnam University and Community Development from Coady International Institute.

Johnny is a change maker, bridge builder and an engaged citizen who is passionate about social change and most importantly about social justice.  He serves on numerous boards, including CLE (Centre Haïtien du Leadership et de l’Excellence), SOIL (Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods) and the advisory board for New School University’s Graduate Program of International Affairs (GPIA).  He is the co-host of Le Mo-Jo show, a weekly live show whose mission is to inform and engage the Haitian community in the diaspora.

Johnny is married to Leila and is the proud father of Jenna Emily.