Dr. Lori Salierno, Founder and CEO of Celebrate Life International, Inc., spent several years working as a staff member at different churches throughout the U.S. At the same time, she spoke to audiences in different parts of the country as a public speaker. She spoke to colleges & universities, conventions, music festivals, women's conferences, and large church staff. As she met people in different areas of the country and talked about challenges that kids were facing in each of those areas, she realized her speaking platform was a means to an end. She decided to take the opportunity the different stages gave to her and use it to make a difference in the lives of kids. She distinctly felt that her calling was to put in motion a momentum that would impact young lives beyond her speaking audiences. She decided to start her work by establishing CELEBRATE LIFE INTERNATIONAL.

CELEBRATE LIFE INTERNATIONAL was established with the goal to positively impact young people by bringing them to an understanding of absolute truth through healthy mentoring relationships. The organization's name was specifically selected to describe the approach Dr. Salierno wanted to use as they helped young people find their unique purpose in life. The organization was designed to lift up tomorrow's leaders for restoring the family, reviving the churches, and transforming society—Developing Leaders of Integrity.

In its first year, the organization reached over 150,000 students, women, and leaders, challenging them to live above the level of mediocrity and make a positive contribution to those around them. Celebrate Life International's (CLI) first office was Dr. Salierno's spare bedroom in her home. However, it was not long before the organization rented space at a local church in order to house its first two employees. By 1999, the organization had outgrown the space provided at the church and relocated to larger facilities in Acworth, Georgia . During the same year, the CLI staff completed the development of a youth development curriculum and piloted its first program under the name of Teach One to Lead One®. This program was the birth of a philosophy that has expanded into multiple areas of character and leadership development.