Mikena VanLiere - EmBe

The CEO Column: May 2022

Mikena VanLiere2022-05-04T15:16:37-05:00

Securing the Next Century of EmBe’s Impact Over the last 100 years, EmBe has been on a mission to empower women, children, and families to enrich lives. In 1922, our founders were the first to recognize the power of women gathering. They established an organization focused on women’s voices, work, and ability to solve community issues together. We weren’t just the first to offer women a dedicated place in the community. We are also the first to shelter battered women, the first to pay tribute to their impact, and the first to advance their children’s care by piloting preschool in [...]

The CEO Column: May 2022Mikena VanLiere2022-05-04T15:16:37-05:00

Staff Spotlight: Jamie Farley – SAC Coordinator Harrisburg Liberty

Mikena VanLiere2022-04-19T15:53:20-05:00

Staff Spotlight: Jamie Farley, SAC Coordinator - Harrisburg Elementary Jamie Farley was looking for a fulfilling job that fit his skills and experience when he discovered a posting for the School Age Care Site (SAC) Coordinator position. “I quickly discovered that EmBe is a great organization to work for,” Jamie said. “You have great benefits and opportunities, but you get to make a daily impact in a child’s life. For some, it’s an influence that they may not have outside of EmBe.” Over four years later, Jamie is the SAC Site Coordinator at Liberty and recently expanded his responsibilities as a [...]

Staff Spotlight: Jamie Farley – SAC Coordinator Harrisburg LibertyMikena VanLiere2022-04-19T15:53:20-05:00

FIRST LEGO League supports compassion and life-long learning skills

Mikena VanLiere2021-10-26T16:04:51-05:00

Christoph and his wife Angie first joined the FIRST LEGO League community when their two sons were in kindergarten and second grade at Eugene Field Elementary. They started a team with students who already knew one another. After discovering a learning disability, Christoph and Angie’s sons took a year break from participating in the program, ultimately rejoining FIRST LEGO League a year later. “FIRST LEGO Leagues’ easy integration with standard sports or other school-based social activities, we found an outlet and a home in FIRST through EmBe,” Christoph states. “Our kids could express themselves and gain long-term social skills as well as [...]

FIRST LEGO League supports compassion and life-long learning skillsMikena VanLiere2021-10-26T16:04:51-05:00

Staff Highlight: Rebekah Warmbrand, Lead Teacher 5B

Mikena VanLiere2021-10-20T09:41:12-05:00

At EmBe, we are proud to serve the community by providing quality educational opportunities to inspire children to be confident, independent thinkers. Without our amazing team of teachers, this wouldn’t be possible. Our teachers help provide a safe and fun environment to facilitate the growth and development of children in our community. Teachers like Rebekah Warmbrand, 5B Lead Teacher at EmBe South, are the heart and soul of our organization. Rebekah’s responsibilities involve caring for a classroom of 4- and 5-year-olds. She also completes lesson plans and prep each week and works closely with her assistant teachers and other staff [...]

Staff Highlight: Rebekah Warmbrand, Lead Teacher 5BMikena VanLiere2021-10-20T09:41:12-05:00

The CEO Column: August 2021

Mikena VanLiere2021-08-24T11:48:31-05:00

The CEO Column: August 2021 CEO Kerri Tietgen reflects on how this year has prepared all of us for life's curveballs and the resiliency of our community. Have you ever considered the illustrious ‘the perfect plan?’ What plans did you have for this summer? What plans do you have for the rest of the year? As we close our summer and transition into fall schedules, back to school activities and a new season, I’m reflecting on our ‘perfect plans’ and the many lessons learned over the last couple of years. As the plan for back to school rolls out and [...]

The CEO Column: August 2021Mikena VanLiere2021-08-24T11:48:31-05:00

EmBe Announces 2021 Women’s Leadership Program Cohort

Mikena VanLiere2021-08-20T14:13:57-05:00

In preparation for its tenth cohort, EmBe has accepted 28 participants for the Women’s Leadership Program. Beginning in September, these women embark on a 17-month program with the intent to develop and deliver on a personal development program. Informational sessions, exercise and assessments, a retreat, and a broad range of presenters and panels are all part of the course which is updated annually. In addition to developing a robust personal network with classmates, presenters and mentors, the group benefits from exposure to time-tested tools and techniques that combine insight, introspection and goal setting. “The first section focuses on exploration and [...]

EmBe Announces 2021 Women’s Leadership Program CohortMikena VanLiere2021-08-20T14:13:57-05:00

EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership Class

Mikena VanLiere2021-05-04T11:36:06-05:00

(Sioux Falls, SD - May 5, 2021) – EmBe is currently accepting participant applications for the 2021 EmBe Women's Leadership Program. Designed by leaders in the community, the leadership program helps empower women to reach their greatest potential. Since its inception in 2011, over 250 women have completed the program. Women in any career field can benefit from this intensive course, which combines a strong personal development focus along with valuable professional development experiences. Participants will also gain the opportunity to create important personal and professional relationships with other future leaders, mentors and facilitators for lifetime support. "I now have [...]

EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership ClassMikena VanLiere2021-05-04T11:36:06-05:00

The CEO Column: April 2021

Mikena VanLiere2021-04-23T14:36:23-05:00

(Sioux Falls, SD, April 23, 2021) - Empowering you to be…. Not surprisingly, these words keep running through my mind like a cadence, a mantra and a challenge since joining EmBe. That, in conjunction with a recent Slack post asking, “when what would your occupation be if you followed your childhood dreams,” has me reflecting. When I was a child, I didn’t have the same aspirations as most kids did… well, beyond wanting to be a Solid Gold Dancer, I wanted to grow up to be my dad. He was the Adult and Community Education Director in my hometown. Yep [...]

The CEO Column: April 2021Mikena VanLiere2021-04-23T14:36:23-05:00

Alex Helvin: South Childcare Site Manager

Mikena VanLiere2021-04-16T15:25:29-05:00

We are so excited to highlight and welcome Alex Helvin, our new South Childcare Site Manager, to the EmBe team. As the Childcare Site Manager, Alex provides daily management to the childcare site, leadership, supervision and development of childcare staff, along with parent communications and admissions. Alex is certainly not "new" in the sense of joining EmBe's team. Helvin started at EmBe when she was young and grew up within the company. "I have learned and developed both personally and professionally through my experiences with EmBe," Helvin started. "A lot of the foundational skills stem from what I built with [...]

Alex Helvin: South Childcare Site ManagerMikena VanLiere2021-04-16T15:25:29-05:00

EmBe Announces 2021 Tribute to Women Winners

Mikena VanLiere2021-04-15T19:46:00-05:00

(Thursday, April 15, 2021 - Sioux Falls) Eight honorees were selected from nearly fifty nominations on April 15 for EmBe’s 48th Tribute to Women awards. The event was held virtually on EmBe’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Tribute to Women is the longest-standing award honoring the achievements of women in the region. “Tribute lifts the good work being done in the community,” said Jennifer Smith Hoesing, EmBe’s Chief Development Officer. “It has never been more important to shine a light on the people who work to make our community strong and resilient.” Firmly rooted in its foundation as the YWCA’s Leadership [...]

EmBe Announces 2021 Tribute to Women WinnersMikena VanLiere2021-04-15T19:46:00-05:00

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About Mikena VanLiere