Luna Lake Ecosystem

What I'm up to & how you fit in.

Speaking

You're looking for some good news. A positive perspective during a time of escalating uncertainty. Courage starts with community. Gather and let's talk it through.

> Cruise through my presentation journey

AI Community

Professions are evolving rapidly and some will evaporate entirely. "Group think" along with other professionals to share collective wisdom as we all ride this tech tidal surge.

> Join the AI/Ar Alchemy community

AI & Design Services

Start with the end in mind. Need to convert more sales? Build AI systems to manage repetitive tasks and see change as a refinement process with individualized coaching.

> Learn about me & fractional services

Trekking

Roadtrip! Three decades of Southern hospitality and placemaking deliver a great cultural walkabout. Let's go visit with some friends in their favorite Third Places.

> Coming Soon: Meet Riley and do some trekking

So much to say...

I've had the priviledge to address some of the most progressive thought leaders who invited me back time and time again.

Candor became my trademark blended with a dose of humor and compassion. In the south we have a saying: "when you know better, you do better." Speaking engagements offer a platform for learning cleverly disguised as entertainment. AI became my most requested topic. Learn more! >>>

Speaking Gigs

The AI Antidote: Third Places

In The Great Good Place, sociologist Ray Oldenburg introduces the concept of "third places" to describe informal public gathering spots that exist outside of home (the "first place") and work (the "second place").

These are spaces such as cafés, bars, parks, libraries, community centers, and hair salons where people can gather voluntarily, engage in conversation, and build relationships in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Oldenburg emphasized that third places are accessible, neutral, and inclusive, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to interact on equal footing, free from the hierarchies and obligations of home or work. He argued that these places are essential for fostering community, civic engagement, and democracy, serving as the social glue that binds neighborhoods together and supports a vibrant public life. Oldenburg also outlined key characteristics of third places, including their openness, informality, regular clientele, and the centrality of conversation and laughter.

Ultimately, third places are the AI ANTIDOTE. They are vital anchors of community life, providing a sense of belonging and connection that is crucial for both individual well-being and the health of society as a whole.

When you need to emerge from all of this AI chaos, here are a few more antidotes to start with:

Everyday is FriYAY!

I'm Amber Lombardo, a Memphissippi farm girl
living a wanderlust life.

What began as a little web dev moonlighting gig evolved into a global community of do-good friends that make my work a priviledge. I'd like to introduce you to them. They're amazing!

My story is one of blind faith. Leaving architecture school to leap into the dot.com boom and riding the wave of businesses needing websites for the first time - it was crazy fun. By far, my favorite topic was PLACEMAKERS, typically masked as chambers of commerce, tourism offices, Main Street communities, architects, economic development offices, city administrators, and more. They are the folks who deliver thoughtful communal spaces that we enjoy every day. Smart, resourceful and kind, they share their insights for us to incorporate into our own life design. 

(Like my new headshot? See how I made it at the AI/Alchemy page.)

Current Projects

What's Amber up to these days?

Fresh from an amazing journey with the American Institute of Architects, I'm now pursuing a lifelong dream of building a virtual architectural playground. As a rural kid who learned about the profession while a junior in college, my mission is to build online resources that reach any person with an internet connection. See, as I've learned about AI and its prospects for the future, not only is it more important than ever that we unplug and celebrate physical places where we commune, but it's imperitive that...

 those places are influenced by the kids who lived the experience of growing up there.

Additionally, as AI learns from available information on the web, those of us with good intentions need to rapidly populate information sources to assure that this emerging technology has quality content...

...and learns to be noble.

ArciTrek

As a student at Mississippi State University, I was a library assistant and became good friends with architectural textbook author, Michael Fazio. Over the years he shared his frustration with print - the necessity to condense, the expense, the distribution, the errors. I told him I'd work on that someday. Hard to imagine that was three decades ago. Time to make it happen - and enjoy some amazing third places along the way.

AI Alchemy

While teaching you to use AI, I also teach you how to unplug. Once the algorithms understand that you're interested, you'll be quickly overwhelmed by the amount of uncertainty that emerges. Take a deep breath and let's explore ways to manage this new frontier. You will be amazed at how quickly you begin to integrate it into your daily life and workflows. Join a community of others anxious to shape the future of AI.

The Weight of Water

To launch ArciTrek I'm starting with my homes - Mississippi and Memphis. Joined by Riley, my Catahoula-mix rescue, we journey to explore far-flung places, boondocking along the way when we need to take a break. Our first trek is a research field study to develop case studies about people and places impacted by water-based catastrophes (flooding, hurricanes, etc.) in order to address systemic environmental justice issues.