BIOGRAPHY

Amber Ivey was born at a naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.  Her parents met and married while stationed at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia.  After a combined 22-year service in the military, Amber’s family retired and relocated to Suffolk, Virginia, after living in five states and one European country.  Amber graduated from Lakeland High School in Suffolk, Virginia, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Occupational and Technical Studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.  Upon graduation, she began her career as a logistics manager in the private sector. Amber transitioned to public service to bring the experience she gained from private industry to make the government more efficient.

Although some of her father’s family migrated to Maryland during the Great Migration, Amber first moved to Baltimore City in 2012 to pursue her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Maryland. While completing the last semester of her program, she was hired to work for Maryland StateStat—a performance measurement and management office created by former Governor Martin O’Malley (D).  Amber analyzed state agency performance data, conducted research, and performed site visits to inform Governor O’Malley, his senior staff, and executive branch agency leadership of trends and issues to improve and drive policy and agency decision making.

Following the transition to Governor Larry Hogan’s (R) administration, Amber aided in restructuring StateStat to operate under the Governor’s Office of Performance Improvement. Under this new office, she worked with over 20 cabinet-level state agencies to draft or refine strategic plans to improve government performance, business processes, tracking progress toward agency goals, and ensure transparency and accountability to Marylanders.  Through her firsthand work with Democrats and Republicans she understands that to solve complex problems, we must find common ground to work together across party and organizational lines, and she plans to bring that mindset to Congress.

After her time at the State of Maryland, she worked at the Pew Charitable Trusts—a nonprofit focused on solving today’s challenges by using data-driven, nonpartisan analysis.  Here, Amber led the data collection and organization efforts of a first-of-its-kind research study on how all 50 states and the District of Columbia use data to solve complex problems, improve the delivery of government services, manage resources, and evaluate effectiveness.  Most recently, Amber managed a team that provided technical as well as strategic assistance to states and counties, who were working towards streamlining their business processes and launching technology, like legal assistance websites and online courts, to modernize and improve access to the legal system. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, online courts can give people the ability to handle legal issues from the comfort and safety of their homes without needing to appear in person, providing access to a speedy trial as opposed to delaying hearings due to an unforeseen challenge.

While working for the State of Maryland, Amber enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law and earned her law degree. She understands that the challenges of the future will require leaders to see problems from multiple angles. For that reason, she is excited to serve at the intersection of public policy, data, technology, and law.

Amber’s mission is to make the government work better for the people.  Her ability to find common ground started as an “Army Brat” who had to develop friendships quickly at new duty stations and continued as she worked with elected and appointed officials in Maryland and across the country. These experiences have positioned Amber to be a candidate that gets things done.  She will always put people and problem solving above politics. To join Amber in making Congress work, click SUPPORT.

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