Mikena VanLiere

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

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

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer with EmBe’s School Age Summer Care!

Mikena VanLiere2025-03-26T10:20:32-05:00

Our team is excited to make 2025 a year to remember at our Harrisburg and Sioux Falls schools! With a summer full of laughter, learning, and adventure, we’ve designed our School Age Summer Care program to give children a fun and enriching experience that nurtures their growth. Children from Kindergarten through 5th grade (ages 5-12) will enjoy a summer filled with: Exciting field trips to state parks, pools, dairy farms, city parks, the zoo, and more—all included at no extra cost. Engaging activities like swimming, sports, games, and hands-on learning. A worry-free experience for parents with everything in one program! [...]

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer with EmBe’s School Age Summer Care!Mikena VanLiere2025-03-26T10:20:32-05:00

Donor Highlight: John and Paige Pearson-Meyer

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-23T10:42:11-06:00

Donor Spotlight: John and Paige Pearson Meyer We are fortunate to have a very involved board that wholeheartedly aligns with us and lends a hand in creating our vision of a community where children thrive, women excel, and families succeed. John Meyer, the outgoing president of our Board, has seen EmBe Education since the inception of the idea in 2022, and now, he and his wife, Paige, are the inaugural donors of our Scholarship Fund in 2024. “I think EmBe is building something really special with the new EmBe Education program. Everything for a family starts with making sure the [...]

Donor Highlight: John and Paige Pearson-MeyerMikena VanLiere2024-12-23T10:42:11-06:00

Welcome Ravan Ackerman, Chief Development Officer

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-18T11:53:02-06:00

Welcoming Ravan Ackerman, Our New Chief Development Officer! We are thrilled to introduce Ravan Ackerman as EmBe’s new Chief Development Officer! With 10 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, Ravan brings a collaborative and easygoing spirit that will strengthen donor relations and blend seamlessly with our team. She shared more about her background, passions, and some fun facts to help us get to know her better. A Sioux Falls Native with a Passion for People Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Ravan attended the University of South Dakota (USD), where she ran track as a sprinter. These days, [...]

Welcome Ravan Ackerman, Chief Development OfficerMikena VanLiere2024-12-18T11:53:02-06:00

Celebrate Giving Tuesday with EmBe and Thrivent

Mikena VanLiere2024-11-27T15:23:13-06:00

INFORMATION For more information or questions regarding the events on Giving Tuesday, please contact Rachel Gross at rgross@embe.org or 605-681-8341. Donate Now On Giving Tuesday, EmBe is celebrating the amazing community that fuels our mission. We're grateful for every participant, donor, and volunteer who brings our vision to life. On Tuesday, December 3, join us for a day filled with gratitude, giving, and connection. Donor support on Giving Tuesday will go even further this year, with our partner Thrivent Financial matching donations at 50%, up to an additional $20,000. That means a $20 donation [...]

Celebrate Giving Tuesday with EmBe and ThriventMikena VanLiere2024-11-27T15:23:13-06:00

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