Mikena VanLiere

Welcome EmBe’s 2026 Summer Interns

Mikena VanLiere2026-07-08T16:49:55-05:00

Welcome EmBe's 2026 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 four interns and read about their future plans and fun facts. Meet EmBe’s 2026 Summer Interns: Carla, Madie, Mattie, and Reagan! Tell us a bit about yourself! Carla, Women's Program Intern: My name is Carla Graciano Sarinana; this fall, I will be a graduate student at the School of Public Health (University of Minnesota). I'm passionate about health equity, community engagement, and empowering people. Madie, Girls on the Run Program [...]

Welcome EmBe’s 2026 Summer InternsMikena VanLiere2026-07-08T16:49:55-05:00

Peace of Mind That’s Priceless: Ashley Anderson’s EmBe Education Story

Mikena VanLiere2026-03-20T10:16:40-05:00

For Ashley Anderson, she's never had the thought, "is my child truly cared for when I'm not there," when dropping off for childcare. Her son Graham has been growing with the EmBe Education - South community since he was just six weeks old, and over the years, that invaluable peace of mind has only grown stronger. “As a working mother, there is no better peace of mind than knowing that you are able to focus on your career during the day because you know that your child is well taken care of.” When Everyone Knows Your Child One of the [...]

Peace of Mind That’s Priceless: Ashley Anderson’s EmBe Education StoryMikena VanLiere2026-03-20T10:16:40-05:00

Alysia Boysen’s Transformation Through EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program

Mikena VanLiere2026-03-09T12:27:12-05:00

TransformationThrough EmBe's Women's Leadership Program Before stepping into her newest role as Director of Siouxland Libraries, Alysia Boysen knew she wanted to continue growing as a leader—but she also knew she couldn’t do it alone. When she first applied for EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program (WLP), her goal was simple: strengthen her leadership skills while building connections with other women navigating similar professional paths. “I wanted to continue growing as a leader, but also build a network of like-minded women,” Alysia shared. “I knew I couldn’t accomplish either of those things on my own. I needed a structured environment and a [...]

Alysia Boysen’s Transformation Through EmBe’s Women’s Leadership ProgramMikena VanLiere2026-03-09T12:27:12-05:00

EmBe Education to Open First Childcare Center in Madison on April 6, 2026

Mikena VanLiere2026-02-20T13:43:02-06:00

EmBe Education to Open First Childcare Center in Madison on April 6, 2026 EmBe is proud to announce the opening of EmBe Education – Madison, a new childcare center serving children ages 4 weeks to 5 years old, beginning April 6, 2026. Located in Madison, the center is the first licensed childcare facility in the community and represents a significant investment in both families and the local workforce. Licensed for 140 children, EmBe Education – Madison will offer full-day childcare and preschool programming Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center includes seven classrooms, a gym, and an outdoor playground designed to [...]

EmBe Education to Open First Childcare Center in Madison on April 6, 2026Mikena VanLiere2026-02-20T13:43:02-06:00

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

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About Mikena VanLiere