Amber M. Freeland is a dynamic, multilingual executive leader whose career spans over 15 years of interdisciplinary experience across higher education, agriculture, business operations, and public engagement. Driven by a purpose to foster inclusive, sustainable, and strategic growth, she has built a distinguished reputation for transforming organizations and guiding individuals through change, development, and impact. Her trajectory is a testament to both relentless ambition and a deep-seated commitment to community advancement.

Raised in Southern California and deeply connected to her agricultural roots, Amber embodies a rare blend of practical know-how and visionary leadership. Early in her career, she embraced roles in marketing, finance, and operations that laid the foundation for her exceptional administrative agility. These formative years shaped her ability to manage multi-layered responsibilities—from vendor management to payroll, customer service, and campaign planning—while establishing a strong presence in team-building and process optimization.

Amber’s evolution from operational coordinator to executive-level strategist was catalyzed through her tenure at Cal Poly Pomona, where she holds multiple concurrent roles that underscore her versatility. As Lead Career Coach for the Huntley College of Agriculture, she serves more than 2,500 students, building tailored career readiness programs that bridge academia and industry. Her initiatives have included the development of eight new curriculum-integrated career modules and the coordination of over 30 partnerships with agricultural and business leaders, all designed to position students for long-term success.

Her role as Project Manager for a USDA grant—“Bridging Gaps, Building Futures”—has had profound regional impact. In this capacity, she oversees the hiring, training, and strategic deployment of student food safety ambassadors tasked with engaging small to mid-sized farms throughout Southern California. Her ability to cultivate high-impact talent pipelines, align academic objectives with federal mandates, and build trust across farming communities demonstrates Amber’s keen aptitude for systemic thinking and grassroots collaboration.

Amber also serves as a Lecturer in both the Animal & Veterinary Sciences and Agribusiness departments at Cal Poly Pomona. Her courses are more than academic exercises; they are immersive, polytechnic learning experiences that empower students to address real-world problems through innovation and teamwork. In particular, her advisory work with the Livestock and Equestrian Show Teams has yielded significant program expansion, financial growth, and student leadership development. Under her stewardship, annual budgets for these programs have doubled, team enrollment has surged, and the caliber of competition and community engagement has reached unprecedented heights.

Her expertise extends far beyond the classroom. As Project Manager for the Los Angeles County Fair’s animal exhibit—the largest petting zoo exhibit in the nation—Amber led a complex, multi-departmental team of over 120 personnel. She oversaw everything from hiring and training to marketing and animal welfare, culminating in a four-week event that not only educated the public on agriculture but also provided transformative experiential learning for students. Her exceptional orchestration of logistics, communications, and stakeholder engagement turned the project into a flagship success story of academic and civic collaboration.

Amber’s leadership is deeply values-driven. A staunch advocate for first-generation students, she has mentored countless individuals through Cal Poly Pomona’s “I AM FIRST” program. Her own academic journey—from earning her B.S. in Marketing Management at Cal Poly Pomona to completing her MBA in Management at Cal State Fullerton—serves as an inspiration to many. She is a champion of access, representation, and opportunity, and she continuously strives to elevate underrepresented voices in agriculture, business, and education.

Beyond her professional achievements, Amber maintains a rich personal connection to farming, livestock, and agricultural education. These aren’t merely career interests—they are intrinsic parts of her identity that fuel her passion for youth development and community outreach. Her multilingual fluency in Portuguese and Spanish enables her to communicate effectively across diverse populations, further amplifying her reach and influence.

Amber’s capacity to integrate Artificial Intelligence into educational frameworks also marks her as a forward-thinking strategist. From piloting AI-infused learning modules to contributing to innovation summits, she is keenly aware of how emerging technologies can enhance traditional industries like agriculture and education. Her holistic perspective—anchored in both heritage and innovation—makes her a powerful advocate for sustainable, tech-enabled progress.

In all that she does, Amber Freeland brings energy, clarity, and purpose. Whether developing large-scale initiatives, mentoring young professionals, or leading collaborative teams, she remains grounded in her belief that leadership is about empowering others to thrive. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless service—a blueprint for impact that others can aspire to.

Character:
Amber is guided by integrity and compassion, consistently aligning her work with values that uplift others and foster inclusion. Her dedication to mentoring first-generation students and promoting agricultural literacy reflects her deep-rooted sense of service.

Knowledge:
With advanced expertise in business, education, agriculture, and operations, Amber navigates complex systems with ease and insight. Her academic and practical experiences equip her to design scalable, innovative solutions across diverse sectors.

Strategic:
Amber possesses a rare ability to think both systemically and creatively, launching initiatives that align institutional goals with real-world needs. Her leadership on federal grant programs and educational events showcases her aptitude for long-term planning and execution.

Communication:
As a trilingual communicator, Amber seamlessly bridges cultural and institutional divides, making her a trusted advisor and community builder. Her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and empathy is at the heart of her leadership style.