Empowerment

Transformation through EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:17:44-06:00

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 space. The sessions, led by Women’s Leadership Director, Melissa Hiatt, on [...]

Transformation through EmBe’s Women’s Leadership ProgramMikena VanLiere2025-01-30T13:17:44-06:00

The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Award Winners!

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-23T10:49:30-06:00

Sioux Falls, SD (October 11, 2024) – Nine honorees were selected out of 64 nominations for The EMBES - A Tribute to Women Awards at the Washington Pavilion on October 10. The longest-standing award ceremony honoring women in our region, now in its 51st year, celebrated the impact of women, men, and businesses in the Sioux Empire and raised funds to sustain the mission of the century-old organization. “We are grateful to our nominators for recognizing the outstanding women, men, and businesses, that are making an impact within our community, and our sponsors for helping us make The EMBES extra [...]

The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Award Winners!Mikena VanLiere2024-12-23T10:49:30-06:00

Women’s Spotlight: Meet Kristi Murfield

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-28T15:38:46-06:00

Kristi Murfield has seen the full-circle impact of EmBe throughout her involvement with Women’s Programs and as a 2023 Tribute to Women nominee. Since 2022, she has been an active participant in Career Network (formerly Tapestry) and the Making Cent$ Financial Literacy Program. Kristi came to EmBe when she was a season in her life, working through a difficult transition. “I was looking for confidence and a sense of direction to move forward, and EmBe was there for me with their Dress for Success program. Not only did I receive help cultivating a different look for a new career [...]

Women’s Spotlight: Meet Kristi MurfieldMikena VanLiere2025-01-28T15:38:46-06:00

Donor Spotlight: Meet Jeannie Blackman

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-30T12:49:15-06:00

Jeannie Blackman's roots with EmBe trace back to the very inception of the now-iconic Tribute to Women event, formerly known as the Leaders Luncheon, a testament to her mother Kris Egger's influential role in its planning 50 years ago. Jeannie fondly reminisced about the countless hours she and her sisters spent in the EmBe pool as members of the Snowfox Swim Team, creating enduring memories of camaraderie and teamwork. Transitioning through the years, Jeannie's husband joined the Board of Directors in 2012, the year when men were first welcomed to contribute their perspectives. This shift exemplified EmBe's commitment to [...]

Donor Spotlight: Meet Jeannie BlackmanMikena VanLiere2025-01-30T12:49:15-06:00

Women Spotlight: Meet Colleen Keiser

Mikena VanLiere2024-04-30T14:49:16-05:00

Colleen Keiser's experience with EmBe's Women's Leadership Programs is one of support, enrichment, learning, and growth. Participating in a variety of EmBe women’s programming, Colleen's journey reflects EmBe’s mission to support women, children, and families and the tangible benefits of mentorship. Women to the Workforce: Addressing Everyday Challenges Colleen actively participated in the Women to the Workforce Program. For her, mentorship played a crucial role in tackling the practical challenges of work and life. "Everything was overwhelming at times. Having someone to call and talk through things was nice. My mentor helped with my resume and my elevator speech." [...]

Women Spotlight: Meet Colleen KeiserMikena VanLiere2024-04-30T14:49:16-05:00

50th Annual Tribute to Women Recap

Mikena VanLiere2023-11-14T15:13:02-06:00

Donate Now EmBe Announces the 50th Annual Tribute to Women Award Winners Sioux Falls, SD (October 19,2023) – Nine honorees were selected out of 71 nominations for the 50th Annual Tribute to Women Awards at the Washington Pavilion on October 19. As the longest-standing award ceremony honoring women in our region, the historic event honored the impact of women, men, and businesses in the Sioux Empire, and raised funds to sustain the mission of the century-old organization. “In 1974, Tribute to Woman started as a Leader [...]

50th Annual Tribute to Women RecapMikena VanLiere2023-11-14T15:13:02-06:00

Mentoring Mindset Workshop

Mikena VanLiere2023-04-04T08:54:24-05:00

If you are interested in mentoring others, EmBe has a Women's Leadership cohort ready to be matched to a mentor on May 8! We are hosting a Mentoring Mindset Workshop on April 24 to uplift our new and existing mentors in anticipation of the pairing to a mentor for this cohort. This Workshop is offered virtually at noon or in person at 4 PM at Downtown EmBe, where we will provide wine and cheese. This Workshop is a free event, but RSVP is required. Sign up for the Mentoring Mindset Workshop here. For more information or questions, please get in [...]

Mentoring Mindset WorkshopMikena VanLiere2023-04-04T08:54:24-05:00

EmBe CEO Column: November 2022

Mikena VanLiere2022-11-08T11:34:21-06:00

Get out and Vote In case you weren’t aware…. In case you haven’t noticed, there is an election happening. If you’re like me, you may be fatigued by the political advertisements, solicitations, and some of the ‘dirty politics’ that accompany each election. Perhaps that’s why the right to vote, suffrage, sounds so much like suffer. We “suffer” through the political season to finally get to lift our voices through the right to vote. The reality is, the word suffrage comes from Latin suffragium, which initially meant “a voting tablet” or a “ballot” or a “vote”… ultimately becoming, the right to [...]

EmBe CEO Column: November 2022Mikena VanLiere2022-11-08T11:34:21-06:00

100-Year Sunday Story: 100 Years of EmBe

Mikena VanLiere2022-09-25T11:04:58-05:00

For the final Sunday Story, we’re bringing you 100 fun facts about EmBe from our last 100 years! The 1920s YWCA founder, Mabel Crossman, owned the state’s largest chicken hatchery with her husband, even though she was terrified of chickens. The YWCA was one of the first organizations to offer Kittenball leagues for women. Kittenball is the original name for softball. The first Camp Tepeetonka was on Lake Madison. One of the original classes of the YWCA was a cheese-tasting class. The YWCA offered a special one-on-one English class for immigrants attempting to learn the language. President Calvin Coolidge visited [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: 100 Years of EmBeMikena VanLiere2022-09-25T11:04:58-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: The Name Change

Mikena VanLiere2022-09-16T10:52:55-05:00

On April 16, 2013, the Sioux Falls branch of the YWCA cut ties with the national organization and announced the new agency as EmBe. There were many reasons for the change, but ultimately, the organization wanted to be more connected and support and provide resources in the best possible way to the Sioux Falls community. When the name changed, it didn’t mean that the services had changed. After the switch, EmBe still provided all the services they did before, including childcare services, aquatics, Girls on the Run, Tribute to Women, and all other programs. By cutting ties with [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: The Name ChangeMikena VanLiere2022-09-16T10:52:55-05:00