Before you accept that next corporate job, there are a few things you should know.

In this episode of the Coffee No Cream Podcast, Erin sits down with Celeste Warren, former Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Merck, where she spent 28 years leading global diversity strategy. After four decades in corporate America, Celeste retired and launched her own consulting firm to continue helping organizations build stronger, more inclusive workplaces.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for Black women navigating corporate careers, preparing for leadership, and thinking about the possibility of entrepreneurship.

Celeste shares how to evaluate companies before you join them, how to network strategically while you still have a job, and how to clearly communicate the value you bring to an organization.

If you're considering a corporate role, thinking about leaving one, or simply trying to understand how to move with intention in your career, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to research a company before accepting a job
• Why corporate culture and micro-cultures matter
• Strategic networking without announcing you're looking for another job
• How to prepare for interviews and ask better questions
• Understanding the value you bring to an organization
• When corporate experience can prepare you for entrepreneurship
• Why building your personal brand matters even when you have a job

Celeste also shares a powerful “Coffee No Cream” moment from her time in corporate leadership and what it takes to speak up in rooms where you may be the only one.

Connect with Celeste WarrenWebsite: https://crwdiversity.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crwdiversity/Substack: https://substack.com/@celestewarrenJoin the Coffee No Cream Community on FacebookFacebook GroupFree Educational Resource Library (nearly 2,000 free courses):https://coffeenocream.com/freeIf you enjoyed this conversation, please like, comment, and subscribe. Sharing the episode helps more people discover the show.—⏰ TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Opening Clip

(01:02) Welcome to Coffee No Cream

(06:28) Meet Celeste Warren———

(34:31) Bucket 1: Doing Your Due Diligence Before Joining an Organization (Celeste explains how to research companies, talk to employees, and understand culture before accepting a role)———

(39:54) Bucket 2: Strategic Networking While You Still Have a Job (How to build relationships and visibility without signaling you’re trying to leave)———(44:47) Bucket 3: Interviewing with Intention (Preparing questions, evaluating the company, and using interviews to gather information)———-(48:37) Bucket 4: Understanding the Value You Bring(Recognizing your expertise and communicating your value inside organizations)———-

(54:12) Preparing to Leave Corporate

(59:54) Building Curriculum and Workshops

(1:01:51) Using Social Media Without Signaling You're Leaving

(1:04:31) Finding Clients Through Social Media

(1:07:30) Monetizing Your Value

(1:08:00) Where to Find Celeste