Meet Amber: Systems Engineer & Pilot
Amber is incredibly efficient and incredibly fun. She is the woman behind the scenes taking the scattered mess of ideas that I start and sets them up into systems so that it is possible for others to help and support this effort. She has been tirelessly pulling all that I have floating around in my brain, getting it down into lists and calendars and operating procedures so that I don’t have to think about it anymore. I say something and Poof! she’s added it somewhere like magic. She is relieving me of logistical mental load so that I am more open to invite, create and make happen your ideas. Everyone needs a pilot and she is making sure we can operate smoothly without crashing. This effort would be forever grounded without out her. And I thank her for helping me get into the air to fly. Now where should we go! The world is our oyster.
- Natalie Anderson (owner)
Amber’s Story
I grew up in a small rural farming community in northeast Iowa, where hard work and community went hand in hand. From those early years helping on farms to my later experiences working with rural communities in Uganda and Nicaragua, I’ve always been curious about how people connect—with each other, with their environment, and with the systems that sustain us. That curiosity has shaped my path through program development, outdoor education, and community initiatives, always with a focus on sustainability and resilience.
When I first came to the Columbia Gorge, it felt both new and familiar: fruit trees stretched across the hillsides, conversations revolved around the weather and fishing, and the landscape held a raw, magnetic beauty. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working as an educator, outdoor guide, and mentor, supporting people in discovering their own strength and connection to the natural world. Whether guiding on rivers, developing school gardens, or helping small businesses streamline their systems, my passion has always been about creating opportunities for people to thrive together.
That’s what drew me to The Missing Corner. In a world where so many of us feel pulled in a thousand directions, this space offers something rare: a place to slow down, connect, and share our skills, stories, and creativity. I’m excited to bring my background in community engagement and program development here, supporting facilitators, small business owners, and neighbors who are using this space to teach, gather, and grow.
When I’m not working, you’ll most often find me on the water in a kayak or with a fly rod, in the mountains on a snowboard, or simply exploring outside. These places remind me of the value of community, resilience, and connection—values I see woven into the fabric of The Missing Corner.
I look forward to meeting you, learning from you, and building with you as we continue to grow this community together.
—Amber
