Meet Amber

Amber Adler is an established Executive, Award-Winning Advocate, #1 Best-Selling author and former Democratic Nominee for New York City Council (2023). In her professional career, she has driven growth, change and process optimization with forward-thinking vision and tactical planning. Over the last 20-years, she has raised and allocated millions of dollars in resources for education, family services, special needs children, and combating hate crimes.

Extended Biography

This popular Orthodox Jewish mother has included her two sons, in her community efforts since they were brought along in their double-stroller. She is a trusted voice within the diverse communities of Southern Brooklyn and has grown into a strong coalition builder. Through her pro-bono resource referral services, Amber has paired thousands of South Brooklyn residents with resources, worth a combined total of over a million of dollars.

As the daughter of a nurse and veteran, Amber was raised in an environment where helping others was part of every day. Amber first volunteered as a child, visiting seniors in nursing homes (4-5 times a week) with her mother, while living in Florida. As a teenager, Amber joined her civically engaged Grandmother to help with activities at senior centers, such as local BINGO and annual fundraisers; including a Fish Fry and Poker Run, while living in Ohio.

During her college years, at Ohio University, Amber worked in community development for the Mayor of Newark. She helped secure government funding and foundation based grants to fund groundbreaking programs. One program, Amber worked to secure funding that paid tuition costs for high school seniors in Newark to take college courses on campus, in place of high school level elective classes. Amber moved to Brooklyn in 2002.

As the Chief of Staff at the International Center for Autism Research and Education (Icare4autism), Amber played a pivotal role in providing high-level support to the Chief Executive Officer. During her tenure, she demonstrated a keen ability to foster organizational growth by establishing and successfully managing a grant writing department. Her efforts extended beyond administrative functions as she actively contributed to shaping the strategic trajectory of the organization.

Impressively, Amber undertook a significant initiative aimed at augmenting the organization’s impact on a global scale. Her commitment to autism research paired with promoting peace in the Middle East manifested through initiatives focused on uniting diverse communities through education. One of her key accomplishments in this regard was working with the team that orchestrated the inaugural International Autism Conference in Israel in 2010. This pioneering event, which boasted a substantial turnout of over 600 attendees, served as a platform for the convergence of 30 esteemed researchers from various corners of the globe.

Amber’s adept leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in the success of this groundbreaking conference, which not only showcased the organization’s dedication to advancing autism research and education but also underscored its commitment to fostering international collaboration and understanding.

Amber’s resume also boasts a number of Executive positions including: Director of Operations for an emergency management company, Director of Communications for American Friends of Ariel University, and Founder of the non-profit Our Life (2017). Amber was also a paid staffer on the re-election campaign for the former City Council member, Chaim Deutsch.

Amber is also a fixture in the fight against antisemitism, hate and bigotry. As Outreach Liaison for Project Witness, Amber raised over $200,000 (FY2020/FY2021) in Discretionary Funding for education to combat hate and bigotry. This included both educational curriculum and in-person presentations for grades 6-12 in New York City Public Schools. It succeeded in helping to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate, which can lead to hate crimes. 

As an activist in Southern Brooklyn’s fight to end gun violence, Amber has taken to the streets with groups including Coney Island Anti-violence Collaborative and Operation Hood. She regularly attends shooting responses (as they occur), meets with community leaders and has spent time learning ways to effectively combat this problem. Amber has also rallied for Awareness on the steps of City Hall.

Amber also works to alleviate poverty in Southern Brooklyn as the Chair of Neighborhood Advisory Board 15. In this position, she spearheads a tri-annual needs based survey to collect vital data across the area. With this data, she directs the allocation of hundreds-of-thousands dollars in federally funded contracts to address the needs of local residents. In 2022, Amber led the allocation of $900,000 in federally funded contracts to a selection of local non-profit organizations to help alleviate poverty in Southern Brooklyn. 

Amber Adler is also known for being active in the fight for the rights of Jewish women refused religious marriages by their spouse, known as agunahs. This Agunah Movement launched in the Orthodox Jewish community in 2021. Amber’s efforts have included supporting a state level bill (Bill S.5306/ A.8904) that would make coercive control a Class E Felony. Amber has also rallied for a number women refused Jewish divorces for between 2 and 17 years. These efforts succeeded in freeing some women. Amber is currently working with a team to create the additional language needed for the bill to best benefit Jewish women denied a get.

More About Amber Adler

Known for her civic engagement, interfaith dialogue, and volunteer efforts Amber’s activism includes regularly partnering with organizations to provide vital necessities for community members in need. She secures both funds and resources to host a variety of holiday, product and food giveaways. Her regular volunteering at many local soup kitchens has even inspired a new generation of local volunteers.

Amber also has helped many children with special needs. In 2017, she succeeded in securing in-home services for hundreds of children on the autism spectrum. She continues to advocate for the allocation of equitable resources at rallies and has stood on the steps of City Hall, to demand expedited services for K-12 students with learning disabilities. This subject hits close to home for Amber because both of her children have IEP’s and experienced significant delays in service, which impacted them.

Degrees & Certifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree – Business and Professional Communication Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
  • Associate Degree – Arts with emphasis in Social Sciences Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
  • Real Estate Certification – Real Estate REI Institute, New York, New York
  • Registered Behavioral Tech. Certification – Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Online Certification

Awards

Amber was recognized as a “Woman of Distinction” by the New York State Assembly, for her achievements in fighting antisemitism, hate, bigotry and helping the community.

New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) presented Amber with the “2020 Community Mom” award for her passion and dedication to the community.

In May 2021, Amber Adler was honored and celebrated by Care:Work as one of 10 South Brooklyn Heroes for her efforts to secure and distribute masks to residents of South Brooklyn during the height of the pandemic. From May 1 – 15, 2021 she and her children were featured on hundreds of LINK NYC Billboards across New York City.

In 2021, New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) honored Amber with the “Neighborhood Hero” award for her outstanding efforts in assisting the community during the pandemic.

Boards & Committees

  • Chair, Neighborhood Advisory Board 15
  • County Committee Member (Assembly District 45, Election District 6)
  • Daughters of the American Revolution