As Marketing Director, Amber is the person in charge of evaluating and developing marketing strategies to help build awareness and positioning for River City Bank. It is a role where she wears many hats; she’s part communicator, part artist, and full-time strategist. We sat down with the native Sacramentan to talk about the art of reading a room, her life as a podcast devotee, and how taking a brave leap of faith into the unknown can do wonders for the soul.
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
First Job: Chico’s Tacos the summer before college. My first and last restaurant job. I had to throw away the clothes I wore there because they permanently smelled of oil. It was a humbling experience.
Favorite Movies: Pride and Prejudice (both new and older versions) and This is 40, it’s a hilarious and accurate depiction of married life with kids. I watch it every year around my birthday.
What are you reading right now? I just finished Bad Blood, the Theranos story. It’s both fascinating and disturbing how long the fraud and deception went on for.
Radio or Podcasts? Podcasts! I’m in the car a lot, so I have a decent Podcast library. Lately, I’ve been listening to Second Life and The Tim Ferriss Show.
Favorite place in Sacramento: Paragary’s and Hawks Public House are my go-tos for great food and a strong cocktail.
First sites or apps you check in the morning: NY Times and Instagram
Morning ritual: It involves coffee, coffee, and more coffee. I’m up by 4:45 so I can enjoy my coffee, scroll the news headlines, and hit the gym before anyone wakes up. It’s heavenly.
Favorite city to visit: Chicago. I love the diverse neighborhoods, gorgeous buildings, and food scene. I also spent my single years there, so there is probably a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in there as well.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you? I was a campus tour guide throughout college. I loved meeting new folks, selling the school and town, and being a very, very small part of an exciting decision for students. Go CU Buffs!
What’s your idea of a perfect day? Going for a long hike along the northern coast and finishing with beers at The Pelican Inn.
Amber and her family
What did you want to be when you were a child? An architect. As a kid, I loved looking at floorplans and imagining how people would use a space. After reading the Fountainhead in high school, I went the architecture route for a couple of years in college.
What is your greatest fear? Not performing up to expectations and letting someone down.
Which living person do you most admire? My mom. She’s the hardest working, most steadfast person I know. She single-handedly raised my brother and me and put us through school. Having kids of my own now, I’m constantly in awe of how she did it.
What is your current state of mind? Optimistic, motivated, with a touch of anxiousness.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Here’s what I’m thinking”
What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting out? (Or a piece of advice you’re glad you ignored?) Learn to read a room and the art of active listening. It’s more than hearing the words but really internalizing what someone is saying so that your follow up questions or actions are apropos.
What is something you have done that you’re proud of? Moving to Chicago after graduation without knowing a soul and building a career. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but looking back it was a brave move. I don’t give myself enough credit for what I accomplished, both personally and professionally, during that time period.
What do you like best about working at River City Bank? I enjoy being part of a team that has such a clear vision of who we are, what we stand for, and where we are going. We have a strong culture and hold true to our company values. There is a sense of pride in telling people in the business community that I work for River City Bank because that admission is a clear reflection of my values and the type of employee I am.
