As the founder and chief strategy officer of Tote + Pears, Amber has built a studio that has reached more than 100 million people and delivered over $1 billion in daily value for clients. She helps organizations connect with the audiences who need them most by reaching people where they are, when it matters, and in ways that resonate.
Amber's journey to creating generational impact began in ed-tech, where she was instrumental in bringing online learning to the mainstream. At Apollo Group, she led a cross-functional team of 300, spearheading projects that reduced student processing times from months to hours. This extended educational opportunities to over 1 million students across the U.S., U.K., Brazil and Chile, delivering $12 million in improvements within a year. At Education 2020 (now Imagine Learning), she created the operational framework for the company's K–12 product line, enabling the organization to scale from 100,000 to 15 million students across 20,000 schools.
For more than a decade, Amber has studied how identity—shaped by factors like gender, class and life stage—impacts how people experience the world. When her son was born prematurely, that research became personal. The experience reshaped her view of work and life and deepened her commitment to supporting children and caregivers.
During the Great Resignation and COVID-19 pandemic, Amber advised scaling tech companies like Shipt and Globant, as well as established brands like Foot Locker, on strategies to attract, retain and empower talent in rapidly changing environments. Collaborating with nonprofits such as Women Who Code, Women in Product and Girls in Tech, she has supported over 1 million women in tech by enter and succeed in the workforce.
Under Amber's leadership, Tote + Pears has developed strategies and advised leaders for a wide range of clients—from startups to global brands such as Arizona State University, TED and American Express. She has built a network of 4,000 professionals who collaborate on mission-driven initiatives that prioritize people.
Amber's insights have been widely recognized, with features in The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Forbes and Inc. In addition, she hosts The Tote and Pears Podcast , bringing together industry leaders and experts for candid conversations about work, life and identity. Her column, "The Marketing Mix by Amber Anderson," on the American Express Business Trends and Insights Blog is the platform's most popular content.
Amber's best days are at home, spending time with her husband, Kai-Saun, their son and their adorable and mischievous dog, Annabelle.
