Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Celeste Collins, Golden Class of 2019
Meet Dr. Celeste Collins, LSP Class of 2019 (the Golden Class), and Executive Director at the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center. The mission of the Sanderlin Neighborhood Center is cultivating a community where children and families are valued, loved, and destined to succeed. In this role, Dr. Collins has the privilege of leading a passionate and dedicated team, working together to offer programs that strengthen our neighborhoods and help families thrive. Whether it’s providing resources, education, or support, their focus is on making a positive impact and empowering the people they serve. Dr. Collins said that “every dayeveryday, I get to work with a group of incredible individuals who share the same goal—helping our community grow and succeed”.
In her free time, which Dr. Collins says is rare these days, she loves to indulge in a few favorite hobbies. Shopping is always a fun escape, and she enjoys traveling whenever she can. She also loves to read, and currently she is diving into How to Win Friends and Influence People. Dr. Collins said that these small moments help her unwind and recharge, even with a busy schedule.
When asked if Dr. Collins has visited her LSP class project since its completion, she said that she is fortunate because her class project is right next to the Sanderlin Center at Academy Prep, so she gets to see the garden and mural almost every day. Dr. Collins shared that it brings back memories of the amazing team—the Golden Class—who came together to make it happen. It’s a reminder of the hard work, collaboration, and sense of community that went into the project. “I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude for being part of such a meaningful effort alongside such wonderful people”.
Dr. Collins shared that she is so thrilled to share some recent highlights, both professionally and personally. One of the most exciting developments is the capital campaign The Sanderlin Center is launching to funda new 40,000-square-foot education and social service center. While the current space holds a special place in her heart, this new facility will allow her and her staff to better serve our community and grow their mission by offering enhanced resources for education, social services, and community engagement.
On a personal note, Dr. Collins recently founded the EmpowerBuild Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering aspiring construction professionals through education, mentoring, and support. It’s deeply connected to her company, Boss Lady Construction, which also focuses on building communities and creating opportunities for success. Both organizations share the goal of uplifting communities of promise by providing pathways to knowledge and empowerment. She is excited to continue her journey of growth and service as the ED of the Center and as a small business owner. Stay tuned!
When asked what is next for Dr. Collins, she shared that after two major storms that deeply impacted our community, she wants to be an asset to assist our community rebuilding, piece by piece. Her focus moving forward is to actively seek out opportunities and resources that can help our community recover and come back stronger. Dr. Collins want us to be a source of hope and resilience as we navigate this healing process together. Supporting her team is also a priority—they are all taking things one step at a time. It's not easy, but with patience and determination, Dr. Collins is confident we’ll emerge from this even more united. She suggests that you please consider donating your time, talents, or treasures to the Center. “We are stronger and better together”.
Thank you, Dr. Collins, for your continued service to our St. Pete community!