EmBe Announces 2020 Women’s Leadership Program Participants

Sioux Falls, SD (December 9, 2019) – In preparation for its ninth year, EmBe has accepted 30 participants for the Women’s Leadership Program. Beginning in January, 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 creation of professional and personal goals,” said Erin Bosch, Executive Director of Women’s Programming at EmBe. “Then, they work on implementation in partnership with their mentors. The support of our volunteer mentors and panelists makes an incredible difference for our groups.”

With 250 graduates, this cornerstone program delivers results. “The EmBe Women’s Leadership Program differs from many leadership programs in that it’s not just a ‘networking’ program,” said Christina Oey, 2019 Women’s Leadership participant. “This program teaches you to look internally and assess your skills and talents to improve yourself as a leader. Learning more about myself has fueled my personal and professional growth, capitalizing on my strengths to more quickly progress in my career – and in my life.”

The applicants for the program represent a broad range of careers and work in widely-varying industries, from banking and healthcare to retail and law. What would you change to reflect the breadth here? The selection committee carefully considers the individual as well as the balance of the group to ensure a rich, fulfilling experience for all.

“The Women’s Leadership Program is recognized as a unique, meaningful stepping stone for personal development,” said Karen Lundquist, EmBe’s CEO. “In our century of women’s leadership, this program stands out for its impact. We’re looking forward to growth in 2020 to support additional career stages and program evolution.”

The 2019 class of participants for the Women’s Leadership Program are:

Jessica Anderson from KBR, Contractor for USGS at EROS
Lindsey Barwald from Butterfly House & Aquarium
Laura Brown from Blend Interactive
Andrea Carstensen from Volunteers of America, Dakotas
Teena Coad from POET
Priscilla Crandall from IMKO Workforce Solutions
Cara DeCourcey from Sanford Health
Ashton Dockendorf from Lemonly
Becca Eisenhauer from Wes Eisenhauer Photography
Maren Engel from Breathe Bravely
Alexis Feterl from Great Western Bank
Jessica Hewitt from First Bank & Trust
Sarah Kenyon, DC from Vibrant Health Chiropractic
Kristen Kuchta from The Country Club of Sioux Falls
Jenna Lange from CentralSquare Technologies
Britney Leinen from Avera Cancer Institute
Marni Johnson Martin from University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities
Tara Mueller from Midco
Karla Nygren from Avera McKennan Hospital
Jeanette Rackl from Sanford Health
Erin Rinehart from Raven Industries
Susie Ryks from Helpline Center
Kristi Sidel from Avera eCARE
Natasha Smith from Wells Fargo
Jennifer Stensaas from Feeding South Dakota
Michelle Trent from The Compass Center
Callie J Tuschen from Buffalo Ridge Brewing
Courtney Phelps from AmesburyTruth
Teresa Wallin from Harold’s Photo Experts
Haley Zerr from Target Corporation