Amber Leonard
Director, Operations & Communications
Department: Student Professional Development Center/Career Services
Email: aleonard31@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5869
Brief Biography
An Â鶹ÊÓƵ alumnus, Amber Leonard brings more than 25 years of experience leading communications, marketing and operational initiatives for nationally recognized companies in the supply chain and transportation industry. Before joining Â鶹ÊÓƵ, she served as Senior Vice President of Communications and Sales Operations at Cargomatic, where she led brand strategy, executive and investor communications, sales operations and customer-facing initiatives for the fast-growing, technology-forward logistics company.
Amber previously held senior leadership roles with CMA CGM—one of the world’s largest global shipping companies—and Estes Express Lines, where she led strategic planning, large-scale communications campaigns, digital transformation initiatives and employee engagement strategies. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to building collaborative teams and developing communications professionals, translating complex ideas into clear, meaningful messaging and creating programs that strengthen both culture and brand reputation. Her goal is to always demonstrate that marketing and corporate communications departments are revenue generators rather than cost centers for the companies they serve.
At Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Amber is excited to combine her corporate experience with her passion for mentoring and student success. In her role within the Student Professional Development Center, she supports operations, communications, events and technology initiatives that help prepare students for meaningful professional lives and successful careers.
Links
Education
Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Communications and Journalism
Service Activities
Amber is passionate about community engagement and philanthropic initiatives, particularly efforts focused on addressing food insecurity and supporting families in need. Throughout her career, she has led and participated in numerous charitable programs that brought employees, community organizations and local leaders together to create meaningful impact.
Among the initiatives closest to her heart is Giving Across America, a multi-city community outreach program she designed for CMA CGM that helped serve food-insecure individuals and families across the country through volunteerism, meal distribution and charitable partnerships. She has also supported and organized programs including multiple Toys for Tots drives, Bikes for Tykes and other employee-led giving campaigns designed to strengthen local communities and expand access to essential resources for children and families.
Amber believes some of the most meaningful work organizations can do happens outside the walls of the office and is passionate about using leadership, communications and collaboration to help bring people together around causes that matter.
Personal Information
Amber has been married to her high-school sweetheart Scott for nearly 35 years. Together, they have one daughter (Madi), who works in the epilepsy wing at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and a 20-pound orange cat named Goose who keeps life entertaining at home.
Outside of her professional life, Amber has long been involved in music ministry and spent many years teaching choir and leading worship for local church congregations. Music, faith and service have remained important parts of her life, and she values opportunities to bring people together through encouragement, collaboration and community.