Meet Amber: Co-Creator, Systems Tinkerer, Cultural Strategist, Community Builder

Amber Eltaieb is a bilingual licensed social worker, entrepreneur, and cross-cultural consultant with a proven ability to bridge cultures and build human-centered solutions. With a dual degree in Public Administration and International Relations from the American University of Sharjah, a Master of Social Work from NYU, and extensive post-graduate training, she merges academic rigor with real-world expertise. Her advanced training spans trauma recovery, family therapy, and organizational transformation, equipping her to develop innovative strategies that drive systemic change.

In 2014, Amber founded a + b consulting, where she collaborates with organizations to design trauma-informed programs, anti-bias training, and culturally attuned leadership strategies. She has consulted for public institutions, private organizations, and non-profits, ensuring that systems and policies align with inclusive, human-centered best practices. As a parent to a mixed-race child, Amber’s perspective is enriched by her personal experience of navigating identity and culture, which profoundly informs her work in fostering understanding and equity. Her personal experience as a parent in a mixed-race family also deepens her commitment to fostering environments where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

Amber’s work spans continents and industries, from social work and education to real estate and entrepreneurship. She began her career in Yemen as a preschool teacher, fostering early childhood education in a culturally diverse setting. In Dubai, she worked with the ruling family at Al Fajer Properties, leading community outreach initiatives that provided thousands of meals and medical care to marginalized communities. She also worked with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre, where she coordinated high-profile events, supported international partnerships, and streamlined operations for the board. In the Philippines, she led one of five teams of graduate students from New York University to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment in rural communities, delivering actionable recommendations to local government officials to address food insecurity, water shortages, and intimate partner violence.

Amber’s expertise extends deeply into direct service and systems-level impact in social work and community advocacy. As a Preventive Services Program Supervisor at the Arab American Family Support Center (AAFSC), she provided critical oversight and mentorship to a team of case planners managing high-needs families referred by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Under her leadership, her team successfully completed three ACS audits with no compliance issues, a testament to her ability to ensure safety, quality documentation, and meaningful client support. Prior to this, she worked as a case planner, conducting home, school, and court visits, providing counseling in Arabic and English, and supporting survivors of domestic violence through crisis intervention, advocacy, and culturally responsive parenting workshops. Amber has also contributed to criminal justice reform and behavioral health initiatives, having interned at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES ), where she worked with court-mandated individuals, conducted assessments, and contributed to program redevelopment as part of the alternative to incarceration program. As a clinician, Amber has offered psychotherapy within several private practices, specializing in trauma, identity, and systemic oppression. Her ability to create an inclusive and affirming therapeutic space made her a sought-after provider, particularly for clients from historically marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population.

Amber is also an entrepreneur and community builder. A former co-owner and operator of dot & line, a beloved ethical and community-focused coffee shop in Brooklyn, Amber fostered a welcoming space that revitalized the local neighborhood. She oversaw all aspects of business operations, from HR and team culture to health compliance and quality control, showcasing her entrepreneurial leadership and ability to build ethical, inclusive environments that thrive.

In real estate and property management, Amber modernized operations for multiple commercial and residential properties in Brooklyn, digitizing lease renewals, rent payments, and tenant documentation to streamline systems and improve efficiency. She brings expertise in navigating rent-stabilized regulations and optimizing property management workflows.

Amber has built and maintained multiple professional websites and is highly proficient in G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and digital collaboration tools and is invested in further deepening her understanding of how technology can drive equitable, human-centered solutions.

Raised in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, as the daughter of Yemeni immigrants, Amber's cultural heritage and international experiences shape her approach to building inclusive systems. She has traveled to over 16 countries, immersing herself in diverse communities and gaining firsthand insights into global perspectives. Whether conducting poverty reduction research in the Philippines, working with preschoolers in Yemen or leading trauma-informed initiatives in New York, she thrives in dynamic, cross-cultural environments where thoughtful solutions drive lasting impact.

In her downtime, Amber enjoys Pilates, exploring global cuisines, and reflecting on how young learners develop their sense of identity in an evolving world. Her life and work are a testament to her belief that connection, creativity, and compassion are the keys to building stronger, more equitable communities.

Education & Post Graduate Training

American University of Sharjah, Dual BA Public Administration and International Relations, with a Minor in Mass Communications

New York University, Master of Social Work

The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond: UNDOING RACISM via New York University graduate program

Ackerman Institute for the Family - Dual Program in Foundations of Family Therapy & Live Clinical Supervision

Ackerman Institute for the Family - Clinical Externship in Family Therapy

The Gottman Institute - The Gottman Method: Level 1: Bridging the Couple Chasm with John & Judy Gottman: A Research Based Approach

The Beck Institute - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Aaron Beck

New York University - Mindfulness Based Stressed Reduction (MBSR) 8 week course

Stanford University - Organizational Analysis 4 week course

New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (NYCEFT) 4-day Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute: Level I: Affect Dysregulation, Survival Defenses, and Traumatic Memory with Janina Fisher & Amy Gladstone