Amber Vanderburg

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award-winning international business leader, keynote speaker, author, and the visionary behind The Pathwayz Group. With a Master’s degree in Organizational Dynamics, she transitioned from a corporate HR role to make history as the only female, only American, and only blonde Academy elite football coach for the Gameday Academy and Paris Saint Germain Academy in Bangalore, India.

Upon returning to the U.S., Vanderburg took on the role of HR director at Paradigm Shift Leadership, where she deepened her expertise in business strategy, leadership development, and learning facilitation. These experiences ultimately led her to establish The Pathwayz Group, a global organization dedicated to transforming workplaces into more engaging and fulfilling environments. Through action-driven learning sessions, the company empowers teams to operate more effectively, efficiently, and with greater enjoyment.

A Global Movement in Learning

The Pathwayz Group boasts a diverse international team facilitating learning across continents. Since its inception, TPG has reached audiences on every inhabited continent, leading the way in interactive virtual sessions, engaging instructional design, and self-guided learning experiences. Over 250,000 learners have accessed their online courses, while more than 100,000 professionals have participated in virtual training and over 15,000 in-person events. In 2022, TPG introduced the HR Action certification to equip emerging professionals with the tools they need to drive meaningful change in the workplace.

Looking ahead, Vanderburg envisions continued growth—both personally and organizationally. In 2022, she released her debut business adventure book, Uniquely Better, which provides actionable strategies for building high-performing teams. Available exclusively through The Pathwayz Group website and events, the book has fueled an international speaking tour where she shares its insights with professionals worldwide.

From an organizational perspective, Vanderburg and her team are expanding their session topics, online course offerings, and client relationships to create even richer learning experiences. Popular topics include performance feedback, communication, remote team leadership, team building, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The company's internal growth has sparked new opportunities, and Vanderburg takes pride in leading a team that finds purpose in their work.

“In one of our development meetings, I asked everyone their favorite part of the job,” she shared. “Multiple people responded that this doesn’t feel like a job—it’s an opportunity to wake up with purpose, collaborate with amazing people, and make a real impact. That moment reinforced everything I’ve worked for. This team is changing the world.”

The Power of Hands-On Learning

For aspiring leaders looking to make their mark, Vanderburg offers this advice: “If you can achieve your dreams alone, you’re not dreaming big enough. To build something greater than yourself, you have to bring in others you trust. I’ve been fortunate to have people of integrity in my life—they’ve supported me through failures, encouraged me through challenges, and celebrated my successes.”

She also emphasizes adaptability in today’s fast-paced business landscape. “You won’t always have the perfect plan. Gather what you need, take action, and be willing to fail forward. Failure is part of success—learn from it, adjust, and try again. Just keep trying!”

What sets The Pathwayz Group apart is its unconventional approach to learning. Instead of relying on traditional slide decks, TPG integrates whiteboards, pushpin boards, props, maps, children’s books, and games to create a truly immersive experience.

“We teach complex concepts, facilitate strategic discussions, and drive impactful learning with measurable ROI—all without a conventional slide deck,” Vanderburg explained. “At every stage, we ask, ‘How can we be uniquely better?’ The feedback we get speaks for itself: professionals come in expecting to passively listen but leave having taken notes, engaged in deep discussions, and even laughed along the way.”

In-person learning experiences follow the same philosophy, blending gamification with interactive, results-driven training. “We’ve worked with directors who’ve been in the industry for decades, and they’re blown away by our creative approach,” Vanderburg said. “We don’t just meet learning objectives—we build a culture of authenticity, safety, and fun.”

Reflecting on her journey, Vanderburg shared, “From Division I athletics to coaching football in India to traveling the world, I’ve had incredible experiences. But The Pathwayz Group? This has been my greatest adventure yet. And we’re just getting started.”