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Leadership Live 2026

May 8, 2026 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

Description

Wake Up West Coast Banner
Annual Signature Keynote Presentation
In Celebration of National Small Business Week
Leadership • Inspiration • Meaningful Connections
We're Gonna Need Cake: Celebrating Authentic Leadership in a Messy World
Leadership Live brings together business and community leaders who are passionate about growing—not just as leaders, but as people—and investing that growth back into their teams and organizations. 

Each year, leaders from across the Lakeshore gather to kick off Leadership Month and celebrate National Small Business Week with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and renewed inspiration.


About This Year's Topic

Life is messy. You know it and your team does too. Yet many workplaces still expect people to separate their lives from their work, push through at all costs, and "fake it till they make it".

In this keynote based on her bestselling book We’re Gonna Need Cake, Valerie Garcia challenges that thinking and explores how embracing authenticity can actually make us strong, more effective leaders. 

With honesty, humor, and real-world insight, Valerie shares how showing up as your real self can create stronger teams, deeper trust, and healthier workplaces. 

What You'll Walk Away With
  • How to turn emotions into leadership superpowers
  • Three ways to transform fear into bravery and reluctance into risk
  • What great leaders are—and are not—responsible for 


About Valerie Garcia
Author • Global Keynote Speaker • Authenticity Coach

Valerie is an authenticity and leadership coach, global keynote speaker, and bestselling author who helps leaders lead with confidence and create extraordinary experiences.

With more than 20 years of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial experience, she combines storytelling, humor, and practical strategies audiences can immediately apply.

valeriegarcia.com | @valeriegarciaspeaks


Program Questions? Email The Chamber Here.


Time

Program Timeline
10:30 AM – Coffee, Light Snacks & Networking
Open Theater Seating In Auditorium
11:00 AM – Program Experience

Pricing

In Person: Member $25/ Non Member $40

Livestream Access: Member $15/ Non Member $25

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Contact Information

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce
Name: Hannah Bowen
Phone: 616-928-9103
Email: hannah@westcoastchamber.org
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