Mikena VanLiere

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

Celebrate, Give, and Grow Together on Giving Tuesday

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-02T16:43:22-06:00

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 Help us reach our $40,000 goal On Giving Tuesday, EmBe is celebrating YOU, the amazing community that fuels our mission. We’re grateful for every participant, donor, and volunteer who brings our vision to life. On December 3, join us for a day filled with gratitude, giving, and connection. Your support on Giving Tuesday will go even further this year, with Thrivent Financial matching 50% of all donations received, up to $20,000. [...]

Celebrate, Give, and Grow Together on Giving TuesdayMikena VanLiere2024-12-02T16:43:22-06:00

Elevate Your Impact on Giving Tuesday!

Mikena VanLiere2024-12-02T20:12:36-06:00

Elevate Your Impact this Giving Tuesday with EmBe and Thrivent! Donate EmBe on December 3 HERE This Giving Tuesday, EmBe is excited to announce a powerful partnership with Thrivent to make your generosity go even further. On December 3, every donation will be enhanced, with Thrivent donating $1 to every $2 raised, helping us reach our goal of raising $40,000 in just one day. We’re calling on the community to come together and make this vision a reality! Why Your Support Matters Thanks to individual donors and partners like Thrivent, EmBe continues to create pathways for success and opportunity for [...]

Elevate Your Impact on Giving Tuesday!Mikena VanLiere2024-12-02T20:12:36-06:00

Culture Link + Swimming Lessons

Mikena VanLiere2024-10-21T12:39:32-05:00

Sponsored piece written by Jodi Schwan The scene that unfolded on a series of Sunday afternoons late this summer inside EmBe was nothing short of life-changing. From infants to their parents, and children of all ages, many stepped into a swimming pool for the first time in their lives. “A lot of Americans give children swimming lessons almost from the moment they’re born – but unfortunately in the African community, we might have five or six children in one household, so who are you going to give lessons to on a limited income,” said Gisma Ali, who recently became [...]

Culture Link + Swimming LessonsMikena VanLiere2024-10-21T12:39:32-05:00

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

2023 Annual Report

Mikena VanLiere2024-10-08T14:31:14-05:00

2023 was a year of growth and empowerment. Read about our 2023 in review here.

2023 Annual ReportMikena VanLiere2024-10-08T14:31:14-05:00

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About Mikena VanLiere