The Hot Mommas® Project Young Adult Judging Panel


Jenny Cano
Jenny Cano is an undergraduate student at the George Washington University Business School and hopes to complete a Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. She has recently joined OLAS (Organization of Latino American Students) and GW's Women's Rugby CLUB. She is currently studying Italian and hopes to study abroad in Milan. Her family is originally from Colombia S.A. and she was born in Maryland.

Jolaade Bademosi
Jolaade was born in Washington, DC. She is a recent graduate from American University, where she majored in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government. She held previous positions at Center for American Progress and Arent Fox LLP. She enjoy theater productions and she had played roles in The King and I, To Kill a Mockingbird and the Vagina Monologues. In her spare time, Jolaade enjoy reading, music and volunteering traveling to new places. She is dedicated to social justice, youth activism and improving the lives of children around the globe.

Julie Carney
Julie Carney manages the Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom programs, an umbrella of free classroom resources for high school educators. She is responsible for coordinating the Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom curriculum, as well as working with teachers to supplement their classrooms with the Foundation's educational materials. In 2008, Carney launched the newest of the YEF programs, Johnny Money Online Game, a small business simulation game. Originally from Clarksville, Tenn., Carney attended Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, and graduated with a B.A. in Public Affairs and Corporate Communication. Carney lives in Washington, DC.

Kelly Kolkar
Senior Manager of Development at Starbridge.

Kelly graduated from the University of Richmond where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations with a double major in World Politics and Diplomacy and Spanish. She minored in French. Kelly also attended VCU SportsCenter graduate program, where she received her Master's degree in Sport Leadership, with a concentration in Sports Management. Kelly Kolker has a strong desire to study sport and language in a global context. She is also fluent in both Spanish and French, has a strong working knowledge of Italian and Farsi, and is currently studying Arabic. Upon completing her Master's program, she was hired by the VCU SportsCenter to help develop international initiatives for students around the world. Shortly thereafter, Kelly joined Playground Marketing, where she was the Director of Sales and Marketing. Kelly managed all accounts, was the primary author of the children's stories and had the honor of working with legendary women's basketball Coach Kay Yow. After two years, Playground Marketing joined forces with a larger sports and entertainment firm, Starbridge Media Group. As Senior Manager of Development at Starbridge, Kelly will continue to research and develop relationships and opportunities to partner with sports-entities all over the world, in effort to combine her passion for sports and foreign languages.

Kelly VanWoerkom
Director of School Relations at PeaPod Print, former National, President of DECA, an association of marketing students.

Kelly VanWoerkom is an International Business and Marketing major at Johnson and Wales University in Denver, Colorado. After serving a year as the National President of DECA, a high school marketing association which prepares its members for future careers in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship, Miss VanWoerkom is pursuing her passion for marketing through her position at PeaPod Print. Her job entails assisting marketing and business students in setting up online school stores to help teach business concepts in a real world setting and raise funds to attend conferences and workshops. Her passion for mentoring youth also carries over to her personal life as she serves as a Big for Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Melissa Hou
FBLA Southern Region Vice President

Melissa Hou, your Southern Region Vice President, is a senior at duPont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Three years ago, she joined FBLA for the competitive events and conferences, but found infinitely more in the organization that has defined her high school career. Melissa is a two-time national competitive event honoree, two-term state officer, and America level recipient. Additionally, she has served as National President's Expansion Chair and Southern Region Parliamentarian. This year, Melissa challenges all members to Get the Edge by demonstrating passionate, active leadership and she also hopes to develop new resources for members across the nation.

Jabious Willams & Anthony Willams
Partners, SAJA Originals

Jabious and Anthony participated in the NFTE program at Suitland High School. They earned first place in the in-class competition at Suitland and were semi-finalists in the D.C. Metro Area NFTE competition. The Williams brothers had great success selling their clothing at school and were known for their positive outlook and hard work. Due to financial difficulties, their family moved and the brothers went to a new high school. The transition was not smooth and their business suffered. However, they identified a new outlet to sell their clothing which led to more opportunities. Most gratifying of all for Jabious and Anthony, they gave their mother the profits from their business to save for a down payment on a new home. Jabious and Anthony plan to attend Morgan State University.