Celeste Dees

Success starts when you bring together a strong strategy and the right people. It’s why Celeste believes that to select the right people, you need a thorough understanding of the strategic context. Celeste is decisive, astute, and has extensive strategic experience in the corporate sector. She quickly gets to the heart of the matter and challenges to get a clear picture of what is needed. What’s more, she’s passionate about finding the right person for the position. Celeste is known for her enthusiasm, her energy, and her ability to create lasting relationships.

Celeste leads the Consumer & Retail practice at Odgers Berndtson. She works with everyone from multinationals and large companies, to venture capitalists and family-owned businesses.

Celeste started her career as M&A lawyer at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek. In 2014 she decided to stretch her boundaries and leave the legal world to start a commercial career at Procter & Gamble. She worked there until the end of 2022, most recently as part of the Benelux lead team, responsible for the external (go-to-market) strategy. Celeste’s wealth of experience in different disciplines within the corporate sector, combined with her broad vision and understanding, make her a versatile advisor at Odgers Berndtson.

Celeste was born and raised on Curacao, an island off the coast of Venezuela. She moved to the Netherlands to study law at the University of Groningen, where she obtained two master’s degrees. Her personal interests include traveling, reading, sailing, and hiking in the mountains. She also likes spending time with her husband and three young children with whom she now lives in Bussum.

Celeste’s desire for new challenges and growth was what attracted her to Odgers Berndtson. In addition, she welcomed the chance to operate in a professional environment that combined meaningful content with entrepreneurship and the chance to work with different people. She derives pleasure from interacting with authentic individuals who endeavor to get the best out of themselves and others. The latter is also Celeste’s main aim.