Founded by

McKinley Madison
Decker

Cultivating Confidence

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Joshua 1:9

A confidence project for girls who are still figuring out who they are — built by someone who was too.

McKinley Madison Decker
McKinley in India Cultivating Confidence workshop McKinley with young girls
McKinley on stage
McKinley helping someone
McKinley at Center for Youth

The Story Behind It

What started as a struggle
became something bigger.

I know what it feels like to doubt yourself — to stand in a room full of people and wonder if you're enough. That feeling didn't arrive with a warning. It just showed up one day, and I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about who I was.

"I realized I had to accept myself first before I could be successful in anything else. That's when Cultivating Confidence was born."

Real workshops. Real conversations.
Not a hashtag. Not a following.

I didn't start this from a place of certainty. I started it from the middle of the struggle — because I knew if I was going through it, other girls were too. I'm not teaching something I read. I'm teaching something I lived.

"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it."

— Maya Angelou

EST. 2022

Victor, New York

"Real confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you choose to build — especially on the days you don't feel it."

— McKinley Madison Decker, Founder

McKinley in India

Resume

McKinley Madison Decker

Victor, NY  ·  585.943.0051  ·  mckinleymdecker@gmail.com

Education

Victor Senior High School — Victor, NY — Class of 2027 | Academic Average: 93.62 | AP Coursework

Leadership & Communication

Elected Executive Producer, The Victor Voice — Senior Year

  • Previously served as Staff Writer/Independent Journalist, publishing 12+ articles covering student life, profiles, opinion, fashion, film and school topics.
  • Participates in on-camera morning show segments.

Founder, Cultivating Confidence Project — 2022–Present

  • Founded at age 14 to create opportunities for girls to build confidence, find their voice and believe in themselves.
  • Reached 300+ girls in grades 3–12 through confidence-building workshops and events.

Community Service

Volunteer — Multiple Service Agencies — 2020–Present

  • 400+ hours of community service across multiple organizations.
  • Long-term volunteer with Worth More Nation, supporting girls impacted by trauma and foster care through mentoring, pageantry and confidence-building.
  • Additional service with Farmington Food Cupboard, Angels of Mercy, Center for Youth, Girls on the Run, Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester, and Lollypop Farm.

Honors, Leadership & Recognition

Royal International Miss Role Model Jr. Teen 2025

  • International titleholder recognized for leadership, service, public speaking and positive role-modeling.
  • Represents the organization through appearances, community involvement and outreach.
  • Uses her platform to encourage confidence and empowerment in young women.

First Runner-Up, National American Miss — 2023

First Runner-Up, USA National Miss — 2024

Jump Tap Scholarship — 4-Time Recipient

Activities & Experience

Competitive Dance — Fitzsimmons Dance Factory — Age 6–Present

  • 10+ years of competitive training, performance and team competition.
  • Choreographs dances for competition team and solo performances.

New York Fashion Week & Paris Fashion Week

  • Selected to walk in New York Fashion Week (September 2025) and Paris Fashion Week (September 2026).

DECA  ·  Freshman Connections  ·  Pageantry & Public Speaking

Employment

Yolickity — Cashier/Team Member — Senior Year

International Business Experience

India — International Business Learning Experience

  • Traveled with her father to gain firsthand exposure to his business and international business practices.

Download Resume (PDF)

McKinley at age 3, smiling in sunglasses

McKinley, age 3

McKinley on stage in a pink jumpsuit

2025 Royal International Miss Role Model