Amber-Ambar Cristina Hanson

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT AMBER-AMBAR CRISTINA HANSON

Ambar Hanson, MPA, is the Community Relationship Officer at Mortenson Family Foundation. She oversees the Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families grant program. Previously, Ambar worked as Chief External Relations Officer at Hiawatha Academies, a network of K-12 free public high-performing charter schools that exists to empower children with the knowledge, character, and leadership skills to graduate from college and serve the common good. Ambar moved to Minnesota from the Dominican Republic 23 years ago. Since moving to the U.S, Ambar has been dedicated to promoting and advocating for immigrant communities and communities of color to have equal opportunity and access to higher education, jobs that provide livable wages, health, housing and safety. Before working in the area of PreK-12 education, Ambar spent over ten years, advocating for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors through several roles at Casa de Esperanza. She provided trainings locally and nationally that promote a holistic strengths-based approach to working with survivors of teen dating violence, domestic violence and sexual assault. Ambar also served as a board member for the Emerging Markets Homeownership Initiative, East Side Neighborhood Development Company, and Cornerstone Montessori Charter School, as well as several advisory boards, panels and committees that promote economic and social justice. Currently, Ambar serves as a board trustee for the Latino Economic Development Center, LatinoLEAD, Minnesota Council on Foundations and Bigelow Foundation. She is also a member of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Alumni of Color Association, and a fellow at the Cultural Wellness Center. Ambar is a recipient of the Mano Amiga Award from the Minnesota Latino Economic Development Center for her commitment and generous contribution of time and work on behalf of the Latino community.