leadership - EmBe

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

Staff Spotlight: Kelly Ballew – Chief of Staff

Mikena VanLiere2022-05-24T08:39:16-05:00

Staff Spotlight: Kelly Ballew - Chief of Staff Just as EmBe can be many things to many people throughout a lifetime, our stakeholders interact with our century-old mission through a variety of programs and roles throughout their EmBe journey. We call it the Circle of Empowerment. Whether participants become donors or volunteers who become team members, everyone we touch finds a way to impact our organization and the individuals we serve positively. While our Chief of Staff is no exception to this rule, Kelly Ballew’s story is exceptional, and we’re finding more than one circle within it. Although Kelly joined our leadership [...]

Staff Spotlight: Kelly Ballew – Chief of StaffMikena VanLiere2022-05-24T08:39:16-05:00

EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership Class

Mikena VanLiere2021-05-04T11:36:06-05:00

(Sioux Falls, SD - May 5, 2021) – EmBe is currently accepting participant applications for the 2021 EmBe Women's Leadership Program. Designed by leaders in the community, the leadership program helps empower women to reach their greatest potential. Since its inception in 2011, over 250 women have completed the program. Women in any career field can benefit from this intensive course, which combines a strong personal development focus along with valuable professional development experiences. Participants will also gain the opportunity to create important personal and professional relationships with other future leaders, mentors and facilitators for lifetime support. "I now have [...]

EmBe is Accepting Applications for 2021 Women’s Leadership ClassMikena VanLiere2021-05-04T11:36:06-05:00

Experiencing Nurturing Networks

Mikena VanLiere2019-09-16T17:21:43-05:00

EmBe gathered representatives of nearly a dozen workplace networks to share their insights about women supporting each other at work. These 40 women represented a range of careers, experiences and levels of leadership, ultimately answering a resounding “yes” when asked if additional meetings should be convened. Led by Erin Bosch, Executive Director of Women’s Programming at EmBe, the World Café-style conversation harvested perspectives about the benefits of women networking at work, how it works best, and how women can positively impact the region. Specific tips? 1. Suggest board opportunities to other women – and share their names. 2. Turn to other women [...]

Experiencing Nurturing NetworksMikena VanLiere2019-09-16T17:21:43-05:00

EmBe 2019 Tribute to Women Honorees

Mikena VanLiere2025-01-28T15:34:56-06:00

On Thursday evening, April 18, 2019 nearly 900 people gathered at the Sioux Falls Convention Center to celebrate people whose work supports women in our region. From 74 nominees, winners were selected in nine categories, including the EmBeliever category which is open to women, men and organizations. The foundation of Tribute began with the Leader Luncheon in 1973, a vision of Sylvia Henkin and Marlene Billion. Since then, there have been 329 winners and more than 1,500 nominees. Thoughtful nominators were key to the receipt of 74 nominations. Then, each category was judged by three individuals utilizing a standardized report [...]

EmBe 2019 Tribute to Women HonoreesMikena VanLiere2025-01-28T15:34:56-06:00

EmBe Announces Nominees for 46th Annual Tribute to Women

Mikena VanLiere2019-03-06T16:46:16-06:00

Seventy-four women, men and businesses have been nominated for the 46th Tribute to Women celebration. The event, which serves as EmBe’s premier fundraiser, honors the achievements of women in the community and recognizes women, men and businesses that show a commitment to empowering women and families. The honorees were nominated in one of the following categories: Business Achievement, Banking & Finance, Government & Law, Healthcare & STEM, Community Service, Humanities & Education, Young Woman of Achievement, Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award, and the EmBeliever Award. “The impact that women have made in the Sioux Empire region is as long as the [...]

EmBe Announces Nominees for 46th Annual Tribute to WomenMikena VanLiere2019-03-06T16:46:16-06:00

Nominate a Ground Breaker for Tribute to Women

Mikena VanLiere2019-02-20T16:41:40-06:00

Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. Early in the history of these awards, Government and Law were considered "non-traditional" industries for women. But as more and more women enter law or a life of public service, these ground breaking women have made practicing law and serving in all levels of government a place for women. In 2018, our Government & Law winner was Sandy Frentz with the City of Sioux Falls. We invite you hear from Sandy's nominator why she was so deserving of this honor, [...]

Nominate a Ground Breaker for Tribute to WomenMikena VanLiere2019-02-20T16:41:40-06:00

Nominate a Change Maker for Tribute to Women

Mikena VanLiere2019-02-20T16:15:38-06:00

We live in incredibly generous community and our 2018 Tribute to Women Community Service honoree is an example of that. Her dedication to causes outside of her work illustrate the kindness and empathy that so many in our community radiate outward. In 2018, our Community Service Award winner was Lori Murray from Avera Health. We invite you hear from Lori's nominator why she was so deserving of this honor, and hear from Lori about her Tribute to Women experience. Nominator Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT1xqNI-mOw Nominee Interview https://youtu.be/tJa0ypUScvg We invite you to nominate an outstanding woman who's invested in community service for the [...]

Nominate a Change Maker for Tribute to WomenMikena VanLiere2019-02-20T16:15:38-06:00

Nominate an Innovator for Tribute to Women

Mikena VanLiere2019-02-19T13:18:57-06:00

Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. The finance industry has a rich history in Sioux Falls and every year we recognize a woman who helps strengthen the integrity and trust bestowed to those in the finance industry. In 2018, our Banking & Finance honroee was Marcy Crawford with Citi. We invite you hear from Marcy's nominator why she was so deserving of this honor, and hear from Marcy about her Tribute to Women experience. Nominator Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgEc_7LQCOk Nominee Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8eMnx2CBNE We invite you to nominate a [...]

Nominate an Innovator for Tribute to WomenMikena VanLiere2019-02-19T13:18:57-06:00

Nominate an Educator for Tribute to Women

Mikena VanLiere2019-02-14T16:31:40-06:00

Now in it's 46th year, EmBe's Tribute to Women celebration recognizes the incredible work that women make in our community. Women who dedicate their lives to the arts and education enrich our communities with knowledge and beauty. Their dedication to building brighter futures and a more beautiful world is invaluable. In 2018, our Humanities & Education winner was Tina Lenz with Sioux Falls Lutheran School. We invite you hear from Tina's nominator why she was so deserving of this honor, and hear from Tina about her Tribute to Women experience. Nominator Video https://youtu.be/wQ2ZVvEmQ18 Nominee Interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2brRJ47y4w We invite you to [...]

Nominate an Educator for Tribute to WomenMikena VanLiere2019-02-14T16:31:40-06:00