Gads Hill Center is proud to welcome Amber Press, née Crain, as the new President of our Board of Directors. Amber brings both professional expertise and a deeply personal passion for education, equity, and community service to her new role.

A Path Guided by Service

Amber’s career has always been rooted in helping people grow. As a leader in human resources focused on organizational development, she coaches individuals to set goals, develop their skills, and thrive in their careers. But her own path to leadership was shaped by a question she once asked herself while finishing her degree:

“At the end of my career, what do I want people to say about me?”

Her answer was simple but powerful—she wanted to be remembered as someone who left the world better than she found it. That vision has guided every professional and personal decision she’s made since.

Finding Gads Hill Center

Amber was first introduced to Gads Hill Center through longtime colleague and board member Jorge Leon, who invited her to one of our annual galas. The more she learned about our programs, the more she wanted to be involved.

“I was so impressed by the impact Gads Hill was having on not only children, but their families and communities,” Amber recalls. “It hit right at my passion for education and equity. I knew I wanted to help however I could.”

It wasn't long before she and her fiancé, Will, began securing funding for Gads Hill Center through their professional networks. From that point, the pair have shown a persistent effort to the service, stewardship, and long-term success of Gads Hill Center.

Amber's passion for the work we do, she says, comes from a personal place. Growing up and beginning her scholastic career in a rural community in southern Illinois, she understands the unique challenges for students in under-resourced school districts.

As Amber moved through adolescence and into adulthood, she began to recognize the stark disparities in educational opportunities. Students in well-funded school districts often had access to advanced coursework, extracurricular programs, and modern facilities, while students in schools like the one in her hometown had far fewer resources through no fault of their own. Geography and circumstance alone afforded some children a very different path.

Growing up, Amber made the most of every opportunity available to her - whether through school programs, weekend library visits with her mom, or self-guided learning. Those experiences left a lasting impression and now fuel her determination to ensure that today’s students have access to the same kinds of opportunities that helped her grow.

Leadership and Vision

Amber has made intentional effort to maximize the impact of her GHC Board membership. Since joining, she's played an active role on several board committees, including Development, Personnel, and Gala Planning. Most recently, she's served our Board of Directors as Secretary. Her hands-on approach has resulted in a broad and nuanced view of the organization and prepared her for board leadership.

On July 1, 2025, she officially began her two-year term as Board President. As she steps into this role, Amber sees both challenges and opportunities ahead. Her top priorities in the role include:

• Strengthening funding stability by diversifying revenue streams.
• Supporting GHC’s new CEO, ensuring she has the clarity and resources to succeed.
• Engaging the board more deeply, so each member can use their expertise to drive impact.
• Expanding partnerships and visibility, building on GHC’s 127-year legacy.

Amber sums it up this way:

“It’s not just about the programs we provide—it’s about the impact those programs make on children, families, and communities. With the right support, we can create opportunities for families to build better lives.”

Looking Ahead

Amber brings energy, optimism, and a willingness to think outside the box to her leadership. She is eager to try new approaches, strengthen connections, and guide the organization forward.

We are excited to see where her vision and passion will take Gads Hill Center in the years ahead.