• 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.

      AMBER BRANDNER

      INCLUSION. CULTURE. COMMUNITY.

      Helping people and organizations work together, better.

      Speaker. Facilitator. Producer.

    • 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.

      Listen here

      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....

      Read more

    • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO

      ABSOLUTESUM FORUM, HACKATHON AND INCUBATOR

      An initiative bringing communities together in a collaborative process supporting the development and growth of smart communities. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    • 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.

      re'flect KPBS series

      DIGITAL PRESENCE + WEB DESIGN

      re'flect, successful aging defined, is a mini- docuseries that highlights six vibrant older adults living life by their terms originally broadcast on KPBS San Diego in January 2017. Director Heidi Rataj

      Nearsoft Summit

      TEAM 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.

      Overnight

      LAUNCH CATALYST

      Overnight is a mobile marketplace for travelers to book same day stays from local hosts. Considering the local and spontaneous elements of the brand, Amber worked with Overnight and Astrsk PR to launch in NYC, Coachella Valley, and San Francisco.

      San Diego Startup Week

      Event Production, Marketing, Partnerships, Video Production

      An initiative bringing the Startup community of

      San Diego together for informative, inspiring, and engaging events.

      Crowdfund UP

      WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COME TOGETHER

      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.

      Indie Oasis

      IT TAKES A VILLAGE

      An experiential production in collaboration with Overnight and RV Sherpa. offering a momentary small community in Coachella Valley with serious vibe setting intentions.

      West X PopUP

      CANVAS CHICAGO PRODUCTION

      Technology and Art collide in a hidden space brought to life through the lifeforce of the night.

       

    • MEDIA + INTERVIEWS

      Digging in.

      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.

      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.

      33Founders

      Ambers Interview by

      33Founders

      Amber is interviewed by 33Founders following production of San Diego Startup Week keynote event.

      Live at Collision

      Interview with

      Rocketship Podcast

      To listen check Connected Dreamers, no direct link available.

    • TESTIMONIALS

      "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

    • Collaborators. Partners. Clients.

       

      -

    • Trippin is now Underpin

    • Want Amber to design and facilitate a

      collaboration lab for your organization.

      Request for speaking can be made here.

      Submit

    • GREEN GLOW PRODUCTIONS

      Visual articulation of the creative vision.

      PARIS. Alaniz

      Production Design

      Production with Greenglow films featuring Georgia May Jagger

      Tesla

      Production Design

      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

      Wardrobe

      Production with Greenglow film.

      Director Kenlon Clark

    • INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS

      CREATIVE DIRECTION. PRODUCTION RESOURCES. EDITING

      Producer

      Musician Steph Johnson

      In this piece Amber worked with Director Nathan Stone on a feature to be used on crowdfunding campaign.

      Producer

      Lord Wallington

      For Lord Wallington Amber worked again with Director Nathan Stone to deliver story driven crowdfunding video for veteran designer and tailor.

      Surf Hostel

      Promotional Video

      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.

      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.

      Hathaways

      Music Video

      Capturing a session post concert musical duo Hathaways preform outside in Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru with additional footage captured throughout the surrounding area of San Blas.

      Corazon de Tierra

      & Vena Cava Winery

      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.

    • THE DETAILS

      ENGAGING COMMUNITY THROUGH LIVE EVENTS & DIGITAL PRESENCE.

      SD Tech Founders

      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

      • TEDxAFC Speaker Bootcamp 2014 CoProducer
      • TEDxAFC Interactive Workshop Volunteer 2014
      • TEDxAFC at Main Event, Barrio Logan CoDirector 2013
      • TEDxAFC Wellness Salon 2013
      • TEDxAFC Story Salon June 2013
      • Speaker Bootcamp, 3rdSpace 2012
      • TEDxAFC at La Jolla, Volunteer Coordinator, Art Installation commissioner 2012

      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

      Curator San Diego HUB

       

      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:

      • TEDxMonumento LiveStream Event at San Diego Public Library 2015
      • Womens Entrepreneurship Day Sponsored by USD featuring HeraHub founders Felena Hanson and Silvia Mah
      • Hera Venture Summit
      • Global Conversation community outreach series.
      • Panleist at Binational Model United Nations.

      Overnight

      Creative Consultant specializing in

      Community UX & Expansion to New Markets with mobile app Overnight, VC Backed Startup booking last minute stays with locals.

      • Produced top tier press release event.
      • Developed partnerships and aligned sponsorships for events. 
      • Developed custom art and branded swag with maker communities and local creatives. 
      • Produced video and photo assets.

      Markets:

      • NYC
      • San Francisco
      • Coachella Valley

       

      Featured Press:

      Crowdfund-UP

      Executive Producer and CoOrganizer 2014

       

      Including: Web Design, Sponsorships, managing production of crowdfunding videos.

       

      Sponsored by

      • GoFundMe Crowdfunding Platform
      • California International Business University, founded in 1995 and focused on supporting innovation and entrepreneurship
      • PreFAB Space, a unique combination of co-working, pop-up retail, special event, and networking for entrepreneurs,

      Impact

      • Over 1 Million USD raised via crowdfunding  in cohort 1. 

       

      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:

        •  Scott Case Startup America CEO, Founding CTO Priceline
        •  Greg Horowitt Cofounder T2Ventures & Global CONNECT
        • Katie Rast, Founder FABLAB, 
        • Michael Sacca Founder Brandisty, Tiny Factory. Community Inspired
        • Jim Brown, Founder Bread & Salt Factory, Civic Innovation
        • Don Mirra, Art Innovator, Beyond the Lens 
        • Brian Hawkins, Founder PreFab, Fabrication and Collaboration
        • Miguel Buenrostro, Founder HUBSTN, A New Story 
        • Joseph Jackson: CoFounder, Bio Tech and Beyond. DIY-BIO Movement and Citizen Science.
        • Ari Hoffman, GOBIE, Be the Mayor
        • Parker Harris, Junto 
        • Neal Bloom, Founder Portfolium
        • Summer Rogers Founder NPRUV
        •  Nan Renner and Deborah Forster, Analog Facebook

         

        Conversation Canopies

        • ART OF SCIENCE & LEARNING Waterstock & Kate's Place
        • BINATIONAL HUBS: Discuss Innovation without borders
        • LOCAL AUTHORS Sharing Published Works
        • PREFAB: Fabrication, Crowdfunding, Collaborations
        • SAN DIEGO SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: Conversations

         

        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:

        • Aesthetically and sonically exciting, featuring DIY water-saving solutions combined with live music and performance, public and interactive art.
        • Gamified to let you see your own and others’ impact on our water supply.
        • Participatory to let you showcase your stock in our water’s future.

        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, 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.

        • Human Rights Crowdfunding Launch Event 2013, with live music, art exhibit, storytelling and afterparty.  
        • Convergence SDSW with Pitch Night, Art installation, live muscial performances and DJ bringing together over 300 entrepreneurs and startup enthusiaist for a night of connection and pure fun. 

        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.

        • Concert Series
        • Art Shows
        • PopUp Shops
        • CrowdfundUP

        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:

        • Angel Ventures Mexico
        • HUBSTN
        • Ideator
        • Global Shapers

        StartUP Grind Host

        Interview with Leslie Fishlock

        Founder of Geek Girls

         

        Interview with Brant Cooper

        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.

      • FEED. ME

        Musings and News for the New Economy

      • We are Social Creatures

      Copyright 2015

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