Amber Vitale, JD, CSS
Amber is recognized for her expertise in guiding organizations through regulatory scrutiny, conducting investigations and large-scale remediation projects, serving as an expert witness in high-profile litigation, and strengthening compliance cultures through collaborative, actionable strategies. Currently an independent consultant, Amber focuses on assessing and enhancing economic sanctions and AML programs for clients across industries. Her work involves stakeholder interviews, diagnosing compliance challenges, tailoring solutions to organizational risk profiles, and supporting implementation. She brings a unique blend of government insight, legal expertise, and practical operational experience to help boards, regulators, and senior executives navigate complex compliance landscapes while aligning programs with long-term business objectives. Amber’s professional journey began with a bachelor’s degree in film and cinema, followed by early roles in retail sales, merchandising and production. She later earned her JD from Georgetown University Law Center and transitioned into sanctions and AML work, combining legal knowledge with her prior experiences to build deep regulatory and operational expertise. She is a Certified Sanctions Specialist (CSS), a member of multiple professional organizations, and actively engages in volunteer and community initiatives, bringing the same rigor and collaborative spirit to both her professional and personal pursuits.
• Certified Sanctions Specialist
• Admitted to the New York State Bar
• Georgetown Law- J.D.
• Ithaca College- B.S.
• Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists
• Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• Order of Malta
• Order of Malta
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to embracing each career transition with curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. From my early years in film and fashion to law school and government service, I’ve relied on collaboration, analytical rigor, and the ability to translate complex challenges into practical solutions—skills that continue to guide my work in sanctions and AML compliance today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to approach every task—big or small—with your absolute best effort. This principle has guided me through every stage of my career, reinforcing the importance of respect, diligence, and integrity in all that I do.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to look at each role as an opportunity to excel, master something new, and gather more tools to serve you in your career. I have found that being reliable, doing a great job, and bringing your ideas to the table will allow you to expand into new areas which increases exposure, skills, and achievements. Also, know that your career is in your hands. If you find that a particular person, position or environment is holding you back or not taking you in a desirable direction, it is never too late to pivot your career. Approach big transitions with a clear strategy, purpose, and planning—fear is natural, but with intentional action and by focusing on the steps, even the most daunting changes become achievable.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The anti-financial crime space is constantly changing and growing: there is no shortage of fraudsters out there, bad actors are always looking for new ways to avoid sanctions or launder money, and the regulatory environment is evolving to keep up with new technologies and services, as well as evolving economic and trade sanctions. Therefore, there are many entry-level opportunities in this field and the work has many facets which can be interesting, including conducting investigations to identify potential money laundering or fraud schemes, performing data analytics and using technology to support compliance work, and monitoring for changing laws or other developments. However, because this landscape has been heavily impacted in the past few years by global affairs, the swift development of digital assets and online financial services, and changes in U.S. foreign policy, it has been difficult to keep up with the intensive pace and regulatory expectations for identifying bad actors and transactions that may contravene U.S. laws.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are doing my best work, treating others with respect, and seeking solutions with integrity—both in my professional and personal life. I strive to contribute meaningfully, lead thoughtfully, and support causes that serve others, such as my work with the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists and the Order of Malta.