Executive Director Of Community Engagement, Caring Foundation
Amber Blomberg, recently honored as a YWCA Woman of the Year, is emerging as a dynamic community leader. As Executive Director of Community Engagement and the Caring Foundation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND), Amber is redefining what it means to lead with purpose.
Raised in Starbuck, MN, Amber’s roots are grounded in community. “In a town of 1,500, connection isn’t optional—it’s a way of life,” she said. That early exposure to deep, personal relationships now fuels her mission to build healthier, more connected communities across North Dakota.
Amber’s professional journey began in the fashion industry, but it was her passion for storytelling and human connection that ultimately led her to BCBSND. Starting in corporate communications, she quickly found herself drawn to the work of the Caring Foundation—a role she stepped into without prior nonprofit experience, but with an unshakable belief in her ability to learn and lead. “I didn’t have all the answers,” she said. “But I had the drive, the work ethic, and the heart to figure it out.”
Leading with Purpose, No Prestige
Today, Amber oversees the Foundation’s statewide grantmaking initiatives focused on behavioral health, social drivers of health, health promotion, and disease prevention. Under her leadership, the Caring Foundation has become a catalyst for upstream solutions—addressing root causes before they become crises. Amber’s approach is grounded in humility and impact. “This work isn’t about recognition,” she said. “It’s about listening, showing up, and investing in initiatives that allow communities to flourish.”
Through strategic partnerships with organizations like BIO Girls, Folkways, and The Village Family Service Center, the Caring Foundation supports initiatives and programs that reduce barriers and gaps to good health and promote long-term well-being. Whether it’s funding school-based mental health initiatives in rural North Dakota or supporting food accessibility through farmers market programs, Amber’s focus is to meet communities where they are and help them thrive. “We don’t just wait for applications to come in,” she said. “We seek out organizations doing meaningful work and ask how we can help amplify their impact.”
A Legacy of Leadership
Amber’s leadership is defined not by titles, but by transformation. She sees health as more than a clinical outcome—it’s a reflection of whether people have access to food, transportation, education, housing, and opportunity. Her advice to aspiring changemakers? Don’t wait for the perfect plan. “You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to care deeply, ask good questions, and be willing to grow.”
