AMBER BRANDNER
Facilitator & Creator
PASSIONATE ABOUT INCLUSION, CULTURE, AND COLLABORATION.
It all matters. We are constantly creating ripples of impact in the world
be aware of the ripples, let them be intentional and far-reaching.
Helping people and organizations create mission-driven results.
PRESS
Leader Spotlight Podcast Interview
Amber Brandner joins host Annette White-Klososky to discuss the importance of building inclusive communities, the power of our living our truth, as well as her own personal journey to becoming a leader in the spotlight.
SD Voyager Interview
Life has been a golden thread of monumental moments, often only seen for their significance in a retrospective fashion when connected with the larger narrative, which indeed is ever changing. I find myself propelled in this life by curiosity, wondering what our story will be and what influences our collective belief in what is possible....
21 Cryptos
a three page feature in the August 2018 issue of 21 cryptos decentreladies interview with iris discussing inclusion in blockchain and the effort of absoluteSUM.
Purdue Alumnus
Winter 2017 issue
Interviewed by purdue university alumni publication. a feature discussing the life and work of amber Brandner.
ABSOLUTESUM
An initiative bringing communities together in a collaborative process exploring blockchain technology guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The San Diego Live Well Challenge included an evening expo, forum, collaborative hackathon, and incubator program in partnership with the University of California San Diego.
AbsoluteSUM has led hackathons at Chicago Blockchain Week, partnered with CIS to bring more students to blockchain, and supported nonprofits such as Pencils of Promise in designing a collaborative and educational exploration of blockchain technology.
Amber Brandner led preproduction partnerships, sponsorship, programming, marketing, and branding. Amber also produced and facilitated absoluteSUM programming.
REFLECTIONS
"Amber offers a contagion of brilliant impulses that seem to give new life to one's own ideas instilling confidence and a warm breathe of collaboration almost effortlessly. In concrete terms, she takes a vision to another level by sheer depth of interest and draws out elucidation with clear attention. My entire realm has become more and more defined and driven since we met her."
James Druga, Owner
Unoppresive Nonimperialistic Bargain Bookstore
"I discovered that I am not an expert in community and its natural extension of social media although my intent is to connect. I am old school in wanting to talk with everyone intimately but found that there are ways to do this in a digital format. Amber is a solid thinker with a body of curiosity lying at her fingertips. It's like hanging out with a TED curator."
Heidi Rataj, Director KPBS series re'flect
"Amber made great introductions and suggestions about potential partnerships from the time we met. Our messaging was improved, and as a result was better received. Very smart, very focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. And a real passion for social entrepreneurship."
Tom Shultz, Ideator
VP Business Development and Sales
"Amber really puts things in a different perspective. She helped me to look at the bigger picture--not just the microcosms of my work. She really pulled back my focus to why I create, what I want to create, and who I create for. Amber is a mentor. Her positivity is bright and contagious. I'm really lucky to have crossed paths with her and have the opportunity to work with her.
Clint Evangelista
Freelance Videographer
"Working with Amber helped us build a framework to understand the value of community in building products through crowdsourcing. We discovered there is much to learn about communicating your stories and that you have to understand the value of what you are about to create. She is always looking for the best approach to reach the organizations goals while sparking serendipity with our peers to achieve the goal in mind. Amber is forward thinking, with an out of the box mentality and full of energy."
Claudio Cassio
Nearsoft Head of Internal Innovation
PROGRAMMING + PRODUCTIONS
LED BY CURIOSITY
GLOBAL SHAPERS
PRODUCER. CURATOR. PARTNERSHIPS.
Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is a day on which the work of Women entrepreneurs is observed and discussed held at University of San Diego, this is a United Nations Initiative. See other Global Shapers event and initiatives here.
Nearsoft Summit
IDEATION LAB + FACILITATION
"Working with Amber helped us build a framework to understand the value of community in building products through crowdsourcing. We discovered there is much to learn about communicating your stories and that you have to understand the value of what you are about to create. She is always looking for the best approach to reach the organizations' goals while sparking serendipity with our peers to achieve the goal in mind. Amber is forward thinking, with an out of the box mentality and full of energy."
Claudio Cassio
Nearsoft Head of Internal Innovation
TEDxAFC
CO-DIRECTOR & COMMUNITY DIRECTOR
TEDxAmericasFinestCity 2012 Volunteer Coordinator for the La Jolla Playhouse main event.
Creative Director for the 2013 TEDx Salon events CoDirector of TEDxAFC main event 2013.
ABSOLUTESUM
PRODUCER + FACILITATOR
We explore our absolute sum, by engaging communities in creative problem solving while embracing emerging technologies such as blockchain. Absolute solutions are conceptualized during all-in challenges where ideas are developed. Incubators are established with University partners and digitally connected around the globe with the ongoing support of a global community, mentorship, resources, and access to relationships with accelerators.
San Diego Startup Week
PRODUCER
An initiative bringing the Startup community of
San Diego together for informative, inspiring, and engaging events.
Crowdfund UP
COPRODUCER + FACILITATOR
A collaborative crowdfunding initiative bringing resources, social media and mentorship to a cohort of entrepreneurs preparing to Crowdfund there ideas. Teams went on to collectively raise over
$1 Million in Cohort 1. Over saw production of 6 crowdfunding campaign videos and creative assets.
West X PopUP
PRODUCTION TEAM
Technology and Art collide in a hidden space brought to life through the lifeforce of the night. Creation with the talented folks of Canvas Chicago.
INTERVIEWS
Leader Spotlight
Amber Brandner joins host Annette White-Klososky to discuss the importance of building inclusive communities, the power of our living our truth, as well as her own personal journey to becoming a leader in the spotlight.
Startup Grind
Interview with Leslie Fishlock
Amber interviews Leslie Fishlock founder of Geek Girls for this edition of Startup Grind San Diego.
Startup Grind
Interview with Brant Cooper
Amber interviews NYT Best Selling author Brant Cooper for San Diego Startup Grind.
Past Partners and Clients
Want Amber to design and facilitate a
collaboration for your organization.
INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS
CREATIVE DIRECTION. PRODUCTION RESOURCES. FULL STACK.
Innovators Collective
Consulting Services
Focus on ideation as a launch point for collaborative culture development. Culture develops from within. Amber developed this 1 minute piece to translate the feeling of an Innovators Collective session.
Steph Johnson
Producer
In this piece Amber worked with Director Nathan Stone on a feature to be used on crowdfunding campaign.
Lord Wallington
Producer
For Lord Wallington Amber worked again with Director Nathan Stone to deliver story driven crowdfunding video for veteran designer and tailor.
La Sirena
Producer
The Sirena Insolente is a peaceful surf retreat a few hours west of Santiago, Chile. Warm and comforting tones accompany a playful and magical feeling to a simple existence.
Hathaways
Producer
Capturing a session post concert, musical duo Hathaways preform outside in Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru. Additional footage captured throughout the surrounding area of San Blas.
Corazon de Tierra
Producer
Just east of Ensenada Mexico lies Valle de Guadelupe home to the award winning Corazon de Tierra (in english The Heart of The Earth) a farm to table fine dining experience led by award winning Chef Diego Hernandez and paired with the onsite wine crafting of Vena Cava Vineyards.
GREEN GLOW PRODUCTIONS
Visual articulation of the creative vision.
PARIS. Alaniz
Production Designer
Production with Greenglow films featuring Georgia May Jagger. Producer Ignacio Morales
Tesla
Production Designer
Production with Greenglow film, Director Jane Qian
Distracted Driver
Production Designer
Production with Greenglow film.
Director Kenlon Clark
Mr. Rogers:
A war hero
Production Designer
Production with Greenglow film.
Director Kenlon Clark
THE DETAILS
ENGAGING COMMUNITY THROUGH LIVE EVENTS & DIGITAL PRESENCE.
CoOrganizer and Producer 2014 - 2016
San Diego Tech Founders has grown to be a defining element of the San Diego startup community, whose organizers have founded or been involved with San Diego Startup Week, Xconomy Speaker Series, the SWARM investor event, Founders Fight club, Connected-Dreamers, San Diego Tech Coffee, Crowdfundup San Diego and Startup San Diego.
Tech Founders Presents
Justin Mares Author of Traction
November 2015
Norway Crowdfunding Playing Lean
Consumer feedback workshop
January 2015
Tech Founders Presents
Gary Ridge founder WD40
December 2014
Tech Founders Presents
Charles Hudson Soft Tech VC
April 2014
Tech Founder Presents
Dan Martel Founder Clarity.fm
March 2014
Tech Founders Presents
Dave McClure
February 2014
Convergence SDSW and Tech Founders Demo Night January 2014
SD Tech Founders is co-organized with Brant Cooper NYT BestSelling Author on Entrepreneurship.
TEDxAmericasFinestCity
PRODUCTIONS
INNOVATIONS
2014 TEDxAmericasFinestCity Award
An opportunity for startups and community projects: a first of it’s kind sponsorship from CrowdFund-UP granting participation in the next collective.CrowdFund-UP created by TEDxAmericasFinestCity past Director Amber Brandner and Founder of San Diego Co-Working Space, PreFAB, Brian Hawkins.
Inspired by other global innovative TEDx initiatives such as TEDxAmsterdam, the organizers of TEDxAmericasFinestCity offer this as a soft launch of an award that will be ongoing from year to year.
Sponsors and Partners:
Prefab SD
NinthLink
MIND Research Institute
University San Diego
University California San Diego
San Diego State University
Microsoft
San Diego Public Market
About TEDxAmericasFinestCity
TEDxAmericasFinestCity is a local, independently organized TEDx event operated under a license from TED, the globally influential nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. TEDxAmericasFinestCity held its first event in May of 2011 at Scripps Seaside Forum, a beautiful venue where a sold out audience enjoyed 14 brilliant and innovative speakers. Since then TEDxAmericasFinestCity has held dozens of events in several San Diego communities, bringing the excitement and wonder of TEDx to thousands of San Diego’s most interesting, discerning people. TEDx attendees leave feeling inspired and connected to one another; our platform demonstrates to our audiences that we have more similarities than differences.
To date we have showcased over 70 speakers at five large events including TEDxAFCWomens and TEDxAmericasFinestCity 2.0. The videos produced from the events have attracted over 250,000 view and counting.
Global Shaper
The Global Shapers Community is one of several multi-stakeholder communities at the World Economic Forum. Other communities include the Young Global Leaders, the Global Agenda Councils, and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs.
Projects:
Overnight
Creative Consultant specializing in
Community UX & Expansion to New Markets with mobile app Overnight, VC Backed Startup booking last minute stays with locals.
Markets:
Featured Press:
Executive Producer and CoOrganizer 2014
Including: Web Design, Sponsorships, managing production of crowdfunding videos.
Sponsored by
Impact
CrowdFund-UP is a first-of-its-kind crowdfunding ‘hackathon’ which took place, over a period of 72 hours, with 8 Crowdfunding Campaigns produced, launched, and celebrated by a collective of passionate entrepreneurs.
The month-long journey began with a Ridiculously Collaborative Launch Party, debuting participants such as Diane Serra Designer, Lord Wallington Menswear, Mammal Clothing, Steph Johnson Band, HUSH, Gov Alert, Lift & Twist Timed Pill Cap, and The Undress Invention.
CrowdFund-UP is co-organized by Brian Hawkins, a serial entrepreneur and professor.
San Diego Startup Week
#GoSanDiego Inspiring Innovation Event
Executive Producer Event & Video
San Diego City Policy Panel;
Innovating a city from the inside out.
Moderator: Kris Michell of the Downtown Partnership Panel Participants: Assembly member Brian Maienschein, Bill Fulton Mayor Faulconer’s designate on the innovation economy. City Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner, Sean Barr EDC’s VP of Economic Development
Featured Musical Guest:
Sister Speak, SDMA Award Nominee
Gayle Skidmore SDMA Award Winner
Speakers:
Conversation Canopies
TEDxMonumento
LiveStream Event Producer 2015
A Global Shapers Project
TEDxMonumento258 began as a collaboration between the organizers of TEDxSanDiego and TEDxTijuanain 2013. The basic idea was to conduct a cross-border TEDx event. Stages would be constructed on either side of the border and the program would consist of speakers alternating their talks; one on the U.S. side, followed by one on the Mexico side. Although a fence exists between these two countries, the fence is not solid, allowing attendees on each side to witness the talks taking place in the other country.
A number of names were considered for the event, but after a visit to Playas de Tijuana, where the border meets the Pacific Ocean, Boundary Monument 258 became the primary focus, with TEDxMonumento258 selected as the event title, along with the theme, Ideas Without Borders.
The significance of Monument 258 dates back to the point at which two countries – the United States and Mexico – were physically divided by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that was signed on February 2, 1848. Since that time these two cities – San Diego and Tijuana – continued to grow, though under very different circumstances. This event seeks to understand the history of this binational region, the success achieved and challenges that remain between these two diverse cultures some 167 years later, and highlight the opportunities which are unfolding within this unique location, and the larger CaliBaja MegaRegion.
National Science Foundation
Art of Science and Learning Incubator at Balboa Park, addressing Water Scarcity.
Mentor with team WaterStock addressing the issue of gaining awareness for water conservation through a city wide event.
Waterstock Site Description
Waterstock is an interactive music and arts festival that promotes a DIY attitude toward water conservation by encouraging behavioral change through gamification. Not simply a concert for a cause or just another music and arts festival to boost awareness. We want to see you change your behaviors toward water to maintain our stock. Not only are we innovative, we want you to innovate with us. The art and music festival is:
Waterstock had presence at several events throughout San Diego, raising awareness and aligning community in a shared initiative to conserve water.
Entrepreneur Day
Event Producer and facilitator, 2014
An event produced for
California International Business University
B Corp Workshop
Retail and Manufacturing Workshop
Future trends panel discussion with
Lauren Avenius, Sony Electronics
Patricia Stitson, TEDxElCajonKIds
Shannon McCarey LiveGoode
Jessie Gardner Founder at HeySoul
Live Music by Luneaux
Geek Girls
Facilitator & Speaker
2013, 2014, 2015
Geek Girl empowers women & girls (and dudes!) of all ages and all financial levels in technology, from beginner newbie to startup savant.
Productions
Whova
Brand Ambassador, Partnerships 2014
The easiest way to build event apps that help event organizers print less, attract more sponsors, and boost attendee networking & engagement
Whova has been incorporated into Geek Girls, TEDx, Tech Founders, Tijuana Hackathon.
Maker Faire San Diego
Keynote Binational Stage Balboa Park, 2015
The art of team building and the essence of communicating your brands mission.
About the event and contest:
This contest seeks to boost entrepreneurship through the contestants’ exposure to an experience similar to the real world and attract investment for their projects, promote young entrepreneurs from both sides of the border in an academic environment, providing a platform to discuss their ideas and experiences, encourage the creation and strengthening of binational networking bonds.
3rdSpace
Community Member & Event Production
Coworking & Club For The Creative, is a dynamic hub for creative entrepreneurs, startups, and change makers in San Diego.
REFLECT a KPBS series
Re'flect, successful aging defined, is a new documentary series that highlights six vibrant older adults living life by their terms. This series provides a fresh and inspiring look at aging successfully and insight into the active and engaged world of today’s seniors who are living out loud and defying stereotypes associated with aging. Their stories unfold through interviews, day-in-the-life footage, and archival materials. Also featured are the many healthy living opportunities San Diego affords seniors, from work to play to volunteering, and everything in between. RE’FLECT will broadcast on KPBS San Diego in January 2017.
*Amber worked developing digital presence for the series and helped bridge the personal brand of the director. Amber took on creative direction of website design, development and outgoing communications.
Prefab
Producer and Event Organizer, 2014
Prefab is an unique co-working and event space.
IMPACTSD
Brand Strategy and Community Building, Workshop 2015
IMPACT SD is an alliance of high impact non profits, private sector, and educational orgs working together to create a larger scale impact in San Diego. Emphasis on high growth with sustainable results.
Startup Weekend
Mentor Startup Weekend EDU 2015, 2016
Startup Weekend Womens Perfect Pitch Talk:
Participants were prepped on the weekend before them with an informal informative talk covering technical and nontechnical elements of the pitch.
Tijuana Hackathon
Binational Hackathon for Social Good.
Keynote Idea Lifecycle.
Partners:
StartUP Grind Host
Interview with Leslie Fishlock
Founder of Geek Girls
NYT Best selling Author
The Lean Entrepreneur
The Lean Brand
CoFounder Moves The Needle
Collective 1939
Founder of a Coworking accelerator for a collective of neoteric entrepreneurs, innovators & creatives bringing ideas to life. Productions include the Naked Truth exhibit, Gender Equality through a nonbinary lens with UN Panelist, "He Named Me Malala viewing event," Global Shapers Conversations of Connection.
UNDERPIN APP
Cofounder at Underpin, a tool to explore the world through the lens of communities you love and connections you trust.
Copyright 2015