Celia Johnston Blue

President & CEO, Visionary & Founding Member of Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition Inc.

In 2015, Celia worked with 12 women of color from across Massachusetts and led the development and public launch of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC) Inc. In her current role as President and CEO, Visionary and Founding Member, she is leading the organization to realize its vision and mission, overseeing the day-to-day operations while strongly advocating for the voices of women of color to be heard addressing the inequities faced daily, which also impacts communities of color. Celia Johnston Blue was the Interim Director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS). A cabinet level position reporting to Governor McKee, Interim Director Blue oversaw approximately 1000 employees in multiple divisions, with a budget of over $900M, providing benefits and services to approximately 300,000 or 1/3 of Rhode Island’s population. She oversaw twelve programs, many partnerships and collaborated with federal and state stakeholders including the legislature and community organizations. Prior to her roles in Rhode Island, Celia spent nine years in the transportation industry in Massachusetts and nationally gaining experience in multiple modes; aeronautics, rail and transit, highway and the registry of motor vehicles. First appointed as a commissioner for the former Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, she was later appointed as Assistant Secretary for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and then promoted to the position of Registrar/CEO of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Blue is the first African American in Massachusetts’s history to serve as the Registrar for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Worcester State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Anna Maria College. She has received awards for her leadership and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and was named in the Power 50, Class of 2021 by Worcester Business Journal. Blue sits on the boards of several civic, public and community organizations in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. She serves on the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School District Board of Trustees and Finance Committee, and she is a board member of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau Board. In addition. she is a board member of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy Advisory Board, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials Advisory Board, Boston Chapter. Additionally, Blue is a Corporator of Girls Inc. Worcester and the YMCA of Central MA.