About Miriam
With over 34 years of executive level experience, Miriam Krehbiel brings a diverse compilation of experiences in a variety of industries. Along with her professional experience, Miriam brings a commitment to excellence, a passion for making a difference, and a desire to help people meet their goals. Miriam currently serves as the Deputy Director of Supportive Services at the Topeka Rescue Mission, where she actively oversees the areas of IT, HR, finance, volunteer services, maintenance, facilities and security, and trauma education.
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Miriam began her career in nursing after attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Bethel College in N. Newton, KS. After working in nursing, she moved from managing the cardiovascular step-down unit at Baylor University in Dallas to VP of operations for a temp agency in Los Angeles, and then president and CEO of Century City Chamber of Commerce. She served at the CEO for United Way of Kern County in Bakersfield, CA for almost a decade before moving back to her native Kansas and accepted the position as president and CEO of United Way of Greater Topeka (Kansas).
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During her 18 years within the United Way system, Miriam served as the CEO for both the United Way of Kern County in Bakersfield, CA and the United Way of Greater Topeka. During her time with United Way, she led both organizations through strategic business model transformation. This effort took time and effort to bring together nonprofit partners, donors, staff and other stakeholders in a way that would alleviate fear, encourage system-level thinking and planning. The result, in both cases, was a community plan targeted at bringing about measurable community impact on issues identified as important to each community.
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In all her positions, Miriam has been responsible for the financial health of the departments and organizations she led. She has developed skills in negotiating and interfacing with leaders at all levels, from physicians, to administrators, to business leaders and government officials, to major donors, to key community leaders and stakeholders. Her commitment to assisting staff to grow to reach their highest potential is foundational to her leadership. Miriam is a life-long learner and believes that asking questions is vital to good leadership.
Miriam believes firmly that to be successful in any endeavor relationships must be developed, valued, and nurtured. In all her positions she has developed relationships with board members, organizations, donors, volunteers, and staff, giving her the ability to listen to and consider many different perspectives. Miriam has served on and chaired many community organizations. She has received a variety of leadership awards, including being awarded a key to the City of Bakersfield, and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka and Leadership Bakersfield.