Transformation through EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program
Before her journey with EmBe, Amber Reed viewed the organization as solely focused on childcare—a realm she had no personal connection to. So, when her workplace, Interstates, asked if she was interested in EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program (WLP), she was surprised. As a leader of the Women’s Employee Resource Group at Interstates, navigating a male-dominated industry daily left her feeling isolated. The WLP, however, was a revelation. Amber expected a conventional, competitive setting, but from the first five minutes, she found a welcoming, inclusive space. The sessions, led by Women’s Leadership Director, Melissa Haitt, on shame and resilience, provided her with tools and insights she didn’t know she needed. She realized that leadership is not just about individual advancement but about lifting everyone together and fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
This experience highlighted the importance of vulnerability in leadership for Amber. By being honest about her experiences, she built true connections and experienced personal growth. Her time with EmBe prompted her to reflect on the historical context of women’s leadership and recognize the ongoing momentum of generational conversations shaping careers today.
Amber’s involvement in the WLP was transformative, giving her a new perspective on her career and envisioning future growth. The program affirmed her potential and provided a platform to amplify it. She discovered a voice she hadn’t fully realized she possessed and found a launching point for her ambitions at Interstates.
“By actively engaging in the EmBe Women’s Leadership Program, I have learned who we are is how we lead. To me, leadership is not a journey in the rise of the ranks, it is a journey to help those around us rise. That is what we had done upon graduating from the WLP, we all helped each other rise and I found the most important form of creativity, to continue to create myself.”
– Amber Reed
In Amber’s words, “I encourage you to say yes to yourself by saying yes to EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program.” Women’s Leadership Programs are worth exploring for anyone seeking growth and empowerment. It affirmed Amber’s capabilities and reminded her that true leadership comes from within, driven by connection, belonging, and the courage to be vulnerable. Amber now looks to the future, poised to influence and inspire those around her in meaningful and lasting ways.
If personal and professional growth is a 2025 resolution of yours – sign up for the Women’s Leadership Program here.