Mikena VanLiere

The Wiederrichs: The Changes We See With EmBe Education

Mikena VanLiere2026-01-27T09:08:06-06:00

The Changes We See With EmBe When Anna and Regen enrolled their daughter Winnie at EmBe Education in September 2025, they were hopeful—but also curious—about what the change would bring. Like many families, they were looking for more than childcare. They wanted a place where their daughter could feel safe, known, and encouraged as she grew. Just a few months in, the changes they’ve seen in Winnie have been both meaningful and reassuring. Discovering Her Most Authentic Self Since starting at EmBe, Anna and Regen say Winnie has truly come into her own. “Winnie has always been a joyful child, [...]

The Wiederrichs: The Changes We See With EmBe EducationMikena VanLiere2026-01-27T09:08:06-06:00

Making the Investment for Our Family: Why EmBe Education is Worth It for the Barber Family

Mikena VanLiere2026-01-13T15:25:34-06:00

Making the Investment for Our Family: Why EmBe Education is Worth It for the Barber Family When it comes to childcare, most parents start in the same place: Is this really worth the cost? For Anastasia and her husband, Zach, that question mattered even more. With three daughters enrolled at EmBe Education—Taytum (4), Halle (2), and Kaylor (9mo)—this wasn’t just a line item in their budget. It was a family-level investment. What they’ve gained? Peace of mind, visible growth in their children, and a support system they didn’t know they’d need—but are now deeply grateful for. “EmBe is [...]

Making the Investment for Our Family: Why EmBe Education is Worth It for the Barber FamilyMikena VanLiere2026-01-13T15:25:34-06:00

Meet Grace: A Madison Mom Ready for EmBe Education to Open Its Doors

Mikena VanLiere2025-12-18T15:35:49-06:00

Meet Grace: A Madison Mom Ready for EmBe Education to Open Its Doors For Grace Martin, a mom of two energetic boys, the opening of EmBe Education–Madison isn’t just another childcare option—it’s the community connection her family has been waiting for. “We’ve been hoping for a center to open in Madison since we moved back up here three years ago,” she shared. Until now, her family has been making the daily drive to Sioux Falls for childcare because of limited local options. Grace and her husband, James, live outside of Madison with their two boys, Rowan (4.5yo) and Ryker (1.5yo) [...]

Meet Grace: A Madison Mom Ready for EmBe Education to Open Its DoorsMikena VanLiere2025-12-18T15:35:49-06:00

Giving Tuesday: Celebrating Gratitude, Community and the Women Who Inspire Us

Mikena VanLiere2025-12-01T15:57:51-06:00

INFORMATION For more information or questions regarding Giving Tuesday, please contact Anna Wiederrich at awiederrich@embe.org or 605-681-8341. Donate Now Giving Tuesday: Celebrating Gratitude, Community and the Women Who Inspire Us At EmBe, Giving Tuesday is more than a day of generosity—it’s a celebration of gratitude. It’s our moment to honor the partners, families, and champions who power our programs year-round. This year, we are especially excited to spotlight one of those champions: friend of EmBe, devoted community leader, and the 2025 Young Woman of Achievement EMBES Award recipient, Marcela Salas. "We believe in [...]

Giving Tuesday: Celebrating Gratitude, Community and the Women Who Inspire UsMikena VanLiere2025-12-01T15:57:51-06:00

Learning to Lead Through Women’s Leadership Program

Mikena VanLiere2025-11-06T11:58:59-06:00

Learning to Lead Through EmBe's Women's Leadership Program At EmBe, we believe that leadership is more than just what you can do for the people around you. To make a positive impact within your profession and workplace, you need to be able to make positive changes and impacts within your own life. Our Women’s Leadership Program takes an approach that works from the inside-out when improving and teaching leadership skills. Through our three-tiered approach, participants learn how to lead themselves and their lives first, then how to lead those around them, and finally how to lead within their community and [...]

Learning to Lead Through Women’s Leadership ProgramMikena VanLiere2025-11-06T11:58:59-06:00

52nd Annual The EMBES: A Tribute to Women Recap

Mikena VanLiere2025-10-14T12:50:17-05:00

Donate Now EmBe Announces the 52nd Annual The EMBES: A Tribute to Women Award Winners Nine honorees were selected out of 74 nominations for the 52nd Annual The EMBES: A Tribute to Women Awards at the Orpheum Theater on October 9. 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 our EmBe Women's Programming. “We’re grateful to our nominators for recognizing the outstanding women, men, and businesses that are making an [...]

52nd Annual The EMBES: A Tribute to Women RecapMikena VanLiere2025-10-14T12:50:17-05:00

52nd Annual Nominees for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Awards Announced!

Mikena VanLiere2025-09-26T09:04:04-05:00

Seventy-four women, men, and businesses have been nominated for The EMBES - A Tribute to Women (formerly Tribute to Women) awards. Now in its 52nd year, The EMBES has shone a light on those doing right by EmBe’s mission since 1973. “Thank you to our nominators for continuing to recognize the outstanding women, men, and businesses making a lasting impact in our community. At this year’s awards, we will celebrate the inspiring contributions of past and present honorees who embody EmBe’s mission while looking ahead to the future of EmBe Women’s Programs,” said Anna Wiederrich, Donor Engagement & Events Coordinator. [...]

52nd Annual Nominees for The EMBES – A Tribute to Women Awards Announced!Mikena VanLiere2025-09-26T09:04:04-05:00

Recognition Matters: Nominate Someone for The EMBES

Mikena VanLiere2025-08-25T12:14:39-05:00

Recognition Matters: Nominate a Woman, Man or Business for The EMBES Every day, women in our community are leading, mentoring, building, and creating change. Much of their work happens quietly, behind the scenes. Yet their work speaks volumes. That’s why The EMBES: A Tribute to Women was founded; to celebrate and honor women whose impact deserves to be seen. It is the perfect time to lift up the women who have been empowering others in our community. But the first step to making that possible is a nomination! For many past nominees, the experience of being recognized has been extremely [...]

Recognition Matters: Nominate Someone for The EMBESMikena VanLiere2025-08-25T12:14:39-05:00

EmBe Partners with Harrisburg School District

Mikena VanLiere2025-07-18T09:53:35-05:00

EmBe Partners With Harrisburg School District to Launch On-Site Childcare and Early Learning Center After Receiving a Workforce Education Grant The Harrisburg School District has been awarded a $218,284 Workforce Education Grant from the South Dakota Department of Education to establish an industry-quality childcare and early childhood learning center within district facilities. As a leading regional provider of early childhood learning and childcare programs, EmBe will be supporting this project by partnering with the Harrisburg School District. EmBe will open a childcare center in Heritage Elementary School exclusively to provide a childcare solution for district employees. There will be space [...]

EmBe Partners with Harrisburg School DistrictMikena VanLiere2025-07-18T09:53:35-05:00

Welcome EmBe’s 2025 Summer Interns

Mikena VanLiere2025-05-30T10:12:29-05:00

Welcome EmBe's 2025 Summer Interns Every year, EmBe welcomes summer interns and enjoys getting to know them and having them as an extension of the team. Get to know our two new interns and read about their fun stories and diverse experiences. While we already know how EmBe can produce rich experiences in their lives, we wanted to delve into how they discovered our organization and what they hope to achieve during their time here. Meet EmBe’s 2025 Summer Interns, Jana and Isaac! Tell us a bit about yourself! Isaac: My name is Isaac Mazariegos, and I was born and [...]

Welcome EmBe’s 2025 Summer InternsMikena VanLiere2025-05-30T10:12:29-05:00

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