Celeste Gotell - Executive Director

With more than 40 years of experience in the non-profit and public health sectors, Celeste Gotell is a visionary leader, strategic thinker, and accomplished team builder. She has spent over 20 years serving as Executive Director for several organizations, including the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia, Gambling Awareness Nova Scotia, and One Plane Away.

A three-time graduate of Dalhousie University, Celeste is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, a degree in Social Work, a Master of Adult Education, and a National Certificate in Voluntary and Non-Profit Sector Management. Her expertise includes board governance training, strategic planning, and group facilitation.

In September 2025, Celeste became a certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Older Adults instructor. She is also trained as a peer support grief facilitator and currently serves on the Homeward Bound: Empowering Aging in the Right Place in Rural Nova Scotia Lived Advisory Council.

Throughout her career, Celeste has worked extensively in community development, addressing complex social determinants of health such as seniors & mental health, social isolation, housing, transportation, and food security. Since helping establish the Seniors Take Action Coalition in 2016 while working with Nova Scotia Health, she has remained deeply engaged in initiatives that support older adults and strengthen Communities.

Her leadership experience includes serving as community coordinator for the ACTing Collectively project in Richmond County and as project advisor for the Mind, Body and Spirit Project, a collaborative initiative focused on seniors & mental health, addictions, and social isolation. She is recognized for her ability to bring together diverse stakeholders, including government officials, community organizations, volunteers, seniors, youth, and interdisciplinary teams.

After retiring from Mental Health and Addictions with Nova Scotia Health in January 2023, Celeste continued her commitment to community well-being by working on seniors initiatives with the Seniors Take Action Coalition of Richmond County and the Mulgrave and Area Health Centre. She lives in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and maintains strong ties to Richmond County. In her personal time, she enjoys travel, reading, gardening, crafts, volunteering on social justice initiatives, and spending time with family and friends.