As Director of Communications, Ambar strives to steward and expand the communications capacity of the Foundation. By leveraging her collaborative style, learning mindset, and strong team leadership skills, Ambar seeks to advance the Foundation’s external presence. She is the lead communications strategist and practitioner supporting the signature awards programs, MacArthur Fellows Programs and 100&Change.
Ambar works at the intersection of strategic communications, social justice, and organizational transformation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ambar was a Vice President at Fenton, the largest public interest communications firm in the country, where she specialized in campaign strategy, persuasive messaging, and community storytelling for organizations including Color Of Change, Drug Policy Alliance, Vera Institute of Justice, and Human Rights Watch. Previously, she served as the first Vice President of Communications at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, advancing legal and policy campaigns and leading the organization’s rebrand effort. Prior to the Shriver Center, Ambar directed local, state, and multistate public relations and community engagement efforts in leadership roles with several public affairs agencies in Chicago.
Ambar has a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism, specializing in Speech Communication and Latino/Latina Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Ambar is a longtime supporter and serves on the Board of Directors for Women Employed. She is a 2020 graduate of the Allstate Foundation Nonprofit Executive Program.
