Meet the 2016 Judges

Princess JohnsonPrincess Johnson – Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet

Princess Johnson is a dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur, and motivator. Her parents always sought out opportunities for her and her siblings to get on stage and use their talents.  She has choreographed dances since she was eight years old!

Princess continued to pursue her passion and developed her dance technique training by completing a dance degree at UNCG along with a Business degree. She established Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet in 2009. Princess has choreographed four original ballets, has taught hundreds of students, and even led a team to bring world renowned ballerina, Misty Copeland to Greensboro, NC.

“I am excited to judge the 2016 Rock the Runway Fashion Show because Goodwill is a community treasure box.  Every time I visit I appreciate how everything is organized, clean, and of course reasonably priced! I can’t wait to see the fashions I love in the store be modeled on the runway!”

 

Susan Ladd – Greensboro News & Record

Susan Ladd has covered the Triad for more than 30 years as a reporter and editor at the News & Record. She is a three-time winner of the statewide editing award presented by the Associated Press, and led the features section when it was twice named among the top five in the country. As a columnist with the News & Record, she provides commentary on the issues, events and people of interest to Greensboro and Guilford County. In addition to working as full-time journalist, she teaches courses in communication studies at UNCG.

“I am excited to judge the 2016 Rock the Runway Fashion Show because it gets better every year!”

 

Katie O’Brien – 107.5 KZL

Katie O’Brien Tesh is one of the voices of Jared and Katie in the morning at 107.5 KZL. Katie was hired after for her perspective, positive energy and effervescent laugh! The Appalachian State alumna has developed huge fan base in the Triad and surrounding areas. Katie is a Pennsylvania native, loves spending time with her husband—ben and daughter—Nora, attending music festivals, Pinterest, wine, and is a total foodie!  If it involves food, she wants to talk about it!

“I am excited about judging the 2016 Rock the Runway event because….it’s a great opportunity to celebrate LIVE and LOCAL! It’s going to be a night full of beautiful fashion from artists right here in our community. Not only does this event highlight the creative minds of the designers but it shines a bright light on the benefits and relevance of the Goodwills of the Triad.”

 

Lynn Wooten – Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Lynn Wooten was born and raised in Fayetteville, N.C., with a closet chock-full of the preppy fashion staples of the day, such as Lacoste, Ralph Lauren Polo, Alexander Julian’s Colours and Tommy Hilfiger (whom I actually interviewed — and tried to out dress — as a newspaper reporter early in his career). After graduating with a degree in Journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill, the real world helped erode that preppy look. Banana Republic, Lucky Jeans, the discovery of Nordstrom Rack and the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet near RDU Airport, helped me ease into another fashion phase.

These days, as a Vice President for Marketing & Communications at The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, I increasingly rebel against having to wear the requisite tie to work but always strive to be turned out nicely and age appropriately when meetings or press conferences call for pinstripes and lace-ups. Lynn and his partner enjoy watching and blogging about red carpet hits and misses during award shows and “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Project Runway”.

“I am excited to judge the 2016 Rock the Runway Fashion Show because I love creativity, fashion is a great art form, and it’s a privilege to watch up-close as people take chances, put themselves out there and reveal something of themselves. And the only thing better that critiquing fashion is doing so for a great cause!”