Thursday, March 19th, 2026 | 11:45am - 1:30pm
Venue by 4M in Ann Arbor, MI
Join us for an inspiring panel of women as they share their journeys, lessons, and honest conversations about confidence—what it looks like, how to build it, and why it matters. Whether you’re navigating career, relationships, or personal growth, this event will leave you encouraged, empowered, and reminded of the strength within.
Meet Your Panelists & Moderator
Panelist: VeNeace Fossett
Self-Discovery Coach
VeNeace Fossett is a self-discovery coach and workshop facilitator who helps women reconnect with the forgotten, hidden, powerful, and sacred parts of themselves. Through self-discovery practices, thoughtful conversation, and heart-centered reflection, she guides others using the same tools that ground her own journey of compassion, clarity, confidence, and self-trust.
Her journey as a soulful mentor began at Vixen Dance—where she not only learned how to teach movement, but how to guide women into deeper connection with their bodies, power, and presence. Pole dance gifted her confidence, physical strength, body awareness, and a deep appreciation for the kind of community that forms when women feel safe, seen, and celebrated. That experience continues to shape the way she holds space and cultivates transformation.
With over 20 years of experience in corporate IT, a Master’s in Management from Walsh College, and certification from the Wholehearted Coaching Certification Program, VeNeace blends real-world insight with soulful, unbiased support. Her coaching offers women a space to breathe, recalibrate, and return to themselves—without shame, pressure, or pretense.
Panelist: Kami Darnell
Fashion Stylist, cabi clothing
Kami Darnell is a stylist with cabi, a national clothing company, where she helps women bring joy to their closets and simplify getting dressed with confidence. Before joining cabi, she founded Simple Sarongs, a swim lifestyle brand designed to give women poolside confidence with a smart, practical cover-up. The brand gained national recognition, including multiple features in O, The Oprah Magazine. Drawing on her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for empowering women, Kami brings both her eye for style, and her practicality to her work. Outside of fashion, she enjoys traveling with her family, and cheering on her teenage son at swim meets and supporting his band performances at Saline High School.
Panelist: Jasmine Howard
Founder, Marie Book | Career & HR Consulting
Jasmine Howard is a Career & HR Consultant with over a decade of experience helping individuals navigate their professional paths. Specializing in career transitions and increasing earning potential, Jasmine’s approach is rooted in helping clients improve their self-confidence and realize their potential. With a background in HR and organizational development, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate, results-driven mindset to her Marie Book consulting practice.
Panelist: Jessica “Decky” Alexander
Professor of Drama/Theatre, Eastern Michigan University
Jessica ‘Decky’ Alexander is a professor of drama/theatre education at Eastern Michigan University and Director of Engage@EMU, an office whose mission is to cultivate community and university collaboration. Both as a performer and as a faculty member, Decky has used the mediums of theatre and performance to foster voice with underserved and underheard individuals and communities.
Alexander’s current creative and scholarly endeavors include the use of theatre for faculty development; community performance, and community-based learning. Through Engage@EMU, which she directs she supports the efforts of the Family Empowerment Program, a supportive services program in affordable housing, and the Prevention Theatre Collective, a high school theatre program, which creates theatre to assist in the prevention of substance abuse and use.
Recent projects include: Solo Acts: A Theatrical Compilation on Solo Aging, in partnership with Generations United and funded by Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation; Homebound, a podcast which lifts up intergenerational between seniors and young people during COVID 19; Vital: A Fugue on Aging, An Ethnographic Performance on vulnerable seniors and caregivers , and In the Neighborhood, an art creating and community conversation in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
Recent publications include: Recent publications include: A Tale of Telling Some Truths to Power in Applied Theatre with Youth (Routledge 2021); Disrupting a Disruption or Live Everything, in Community Engagement 2.0? Dialogues on the Future of the Civic in the Disrupted University, and Addressing the Student Debt Crisis: Steps Universities Can Take for Academic Leaders 2019
In community, Decky is currently the chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus, and 5th Vice Chair for the MIchigan Democratic Party. She serves on the A2Y Chamber of Commerce's Policy Committee. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of Development for Temple Beth Emeth, and is a co-chair of the Jewish Community Relations Committee and most recently served as its board chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.
Decky lives in Ann Arbor with her husband Bruce Kutinsky and two cats: Sunny and Midnight
Your Moderator: Liz Garza
Account Executive, Adams Outdoor Advertising
Liz Garza is an Account Executive at Adams Outdoor Advertising which is the 4th largest billboard company in the nation. With over 12 years of experience building strong, relationship-driven partnerships through out-of-home advertising. She is a top-three performer company-wide and is passionate about collaboration, community engagement, and philanthropy, serving in leadership roles with United Way Emerging Philanthropists and WXW Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw. Outside of work, Liz enjoys going up north, fashion, baking, playing basketball, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Location: Venue by 4M, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $30 Early-Bird Pricing until March 17th, $35 After March 17th
Ticket includes a delicious buffet lunch
Please note that all ticket sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is officially canceled. Should the event be canceled, you will be provided with instructions on how to obtain a refund. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your support.