Two authors who write about confidence and leadership will speak at the Lakewood Ranch Library on Thursday, Sept. 24, when the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club hosts its “Meet the Authors” morning.
Jaime Marco, a leadership coach who lives in the Greenbrook neighborhood, and Simone Knego, a USA Today bestselling author based in Sarasota, will lead an interactive presentation and Q&A from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a book signing until 12:30 p.m.
The morning begins at 9:30 a.m. with a meet-and-greet on the library’s rooftop terrace, where guests can chat with both authors over light refreshments before moving to the Community Room at 10:15 a.m.
Who’s speaking
Marco owns Evolve Business Consulting and released her book, “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light,” on Dec. 1, 2025. The book offers 11 short chapters she calls “Micro Moves,” each readable in 10 to 12 minutes, built around the idea that people can choose the energy they bring into a room.
“We can be contagious both ways — with the negative energy or with the connected energy. We can be either way and we choose which way to do it,” Marco told the East County Observer in February 2026 when discussing the book’s themes.
Marco also serves as president-elect of the National Speakers Association Central Florida chapter and has worked with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s programming committee.
Knego is a two-time TEDx speaker whose latest book, “REAL Confidence: A Simple Guide to Go from Unsure to Unshakeable,” was published by Copper Books on Feb. 17, 2026. Copper Books distributes through Simon & Schuster. Her REAL Method framework stands for Respect yourself, Embrace your failures, Ask yourself what you want and Live without limits. Her work has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, and she co-hosts the podcast “Her Unshakeable Confidence” with her daughter, Olivia.
How to attend
Tickets are $35 and open to LWRWC members and invited guests. Registration closes Tuesday, Sept. 22. Tickets are available through the club’s event page. For questions, contact Mary Beth Steffens at 941-907-7279. Volunteers can reach Andrea Burr at 518-424-1542.
