Pivot Fellow Celeste Santifer Reflects on Growth, Resilience, and Community
Posted in News | Tagged Cohort 8, Pivot Program
As part of Georgetown’s Pivot Program, each fellow brings a unique perspective and story into the classroom. These stories shape not only how each individual learns and grows, but also how classmates learn from one another. Celeste Santifer, a member of Pivot Cohort 8, brings warmth, humor, and encouragement wherever she goes. In the classroom, you can often find her offering support to her peers, helping classmates work through assignments, or cracking jokes before the lunch break.
Santifer’s path to the Pivot Program has been anything but linear. Prior to her enrollment, she worked in a high-pressure C-suite position, where the responsibilities of leadership often came with overwhelming levels of stress. Reflecting on that period of her life, Santifer describes carrying the weight of an entire organization on her shoulders.
She reported directly to the CEO and was one of five senior team members responsible for administration, operations, human resources, board governance, and finance. While she had a team supporting her, the responsibility ultimately fell on her, and it took a toll.
Looking back, Santifer describes her incarceration at Alderson as a turning point.
“The weight was on me to the point where going to Alderson was literally a lifesaver,” she said. “Some people only look at the negative side of prison, but for me, it gave me an opportunity to step away from my career when I really needed to.”
During her time at Alderson, Santifer focused on personal growth. She read extensively, attended faith services, and worked on developing healthier and more sustainable ways to manage stress. When she returned home, she began engaging with re-entry communities in the D.C. area, which eventually led her to Project Empowerment and to her mentor, Alexis Green — a Pivot alum.
Even with her professional background, Santifer was initially hesitant about applying to the Pivot Program. “When I applied to Pivot, I thought, ‘I don’t need Pivot. I’m 59. I’ve had career success,’” she said. “But my mentor, Alexis Green, really encouraged me to think about it.”
After attending a spring Negotiation Works event and meeting members of the Pivot community, Santifer decided to move forward. While the application process was long, she says it was absolutely worth it.
Now in week thirteen of the cohort, Santifer reflects on how much she has grown — both professionally and personally. “I feel so much more equipped, not just in my business acumen, but in my emotional intelligence,” she shared.
Santifer highlights the practical skills she has gained through Pivot, particularly through the Negotiation Works curriculum. Learning how to clearly communicate not just her own position, but the interests of others, has already made a tangible difference in her life.
She recalls applying those skills while navigating a challenging apartment application process. After initially being turned down, Santifer asked the right questions, followed up, and used the negotiation tools she learned in class.
“Guess who got the apartment?” she said. “Me.”
Beyond negotiation skills, Santifer points to the wide range of tools Pivot has helped her build, from strengthening her grammar and writing skills to learning responsible AI use, as well as personal finance and investment strategies. But above all, she emphasizes the sense of community and support that defines the program.
“I’ve never had the wrap-around level of support that Pivot provides,” Santifer said. “It’s not just classes — it’s guidance, resources, and access to Georgetown faculty and leadership.”
As she looks ahead, Santifer is focused not only on her own future, but on giving back to others who will follow in her footsteps.
“This program is impactful in each of our lives,” she said. “We owe it to ourselves to take full advantage of it. My goal is to reach back for the people coming behind me. Without Pivot, I wouldn’t have this holistic level of wellness — the mental health support, the community, the belief that I belong.”
Written by Sophia Sharma