Announcing Leadership Change and Search for New Executive Director

I Live Here I Give Here (ILHIGH) is announcing today the resignation of Celeste Flores as executive director of the Austin-based organization.

Although she deeply regrets having to leave her position as executive director, Celeste is excited about the new opportunities ahead as her husband has been offered a new job opportunity in the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area. Celeste will be with I Live Here I Give Here as executive director until Friday, August 17, and will continue to support the organization as appropriate in the search process for a new executive director.

“On behalf of the entire board and the ILHIGH team, we wish Celeste nothing but the best as she ventures east with her family to start a new chapter in her life,” said ILHIGH Board Chair, Erica Saenz. “She has been integral to our success and growth, and under her leadership, thousands of new donors across Central Texas have joined our organization along with several hundred new nonprofits. Replacing someone as dedicated and talented as Celeste is no easy feat, but we feel confident we will be able to find the perfect fit to help take ILHIGH to new heights for years to come.”

Celeste joined the ILHIGH team in July 2012 and stepped into the role of the executive director in August 2015. During her time in that role, ILHIGH has engaged new and emerging givers through their programs: inspiring 800+ men and women in mentoring programs through See Jane Give and Give Back Jack; empowering 130+ young Austinites through the board Internship program; and encouraging more than 188,400 donations from Central Texans yielding over $25,800,000 in funding for 700+ nonprofit organizations through Amplify Austin Day.

She leaves the organization in a strong and respected position in Central Texas, which would not be possible without the Austin community. I Live Here I Give Here’s efforts are supported by local companies, foundations, nonprofits, and individuals who are dedicated to making Austin the most generous community in the nation. I Live Here I Give Here recently developed a new strategic plan and is focused on maximizing generosity across the greater Austin area. New leadership will carry the organization forward, driving transformative community impact and engaging new givers.

During the transition period, Lindsay Muse will serve as interim executive director. Lindsay currently serves as the senior director of operations and has been with the organization for over two and a half years. She has worked hand-in-hand with Celeste for almost the entire length of her tenure as executive director, and Lindsay is dedicated to leading the nonprofit pro tem, alongside ILHIGH’s current board of directors and staff.

The board is grateful to Lindsay for stepping in as interim and is committed to a diligent and thoughtful process to appoint Celeste's permanent successor.

In the weeks ahead, ILHIGH’s board of directors will conduct a new search, and they are hopeful to have a permanent executive director in place later this fall.