Judges
Rebecca Taylor
Coach, mentor and transformation specialistShe has been an educator for the majority of her career, 17 of the 19 years as a stylist. She is a coach, mentor and transformation specialist. She has shared education online with her peers for the last 15+ years and has gotten the opportunity to travel to 38 countries to educate independently and in partnership with various brands. Rebecca's mantra is to practice, experiment, invest in education, remain humble and teachable....all while continuing to EVOLVE both personally and professionally.
Ursula Stephen
Unilever global haircare brand ambassador, and the owner of “Ursula Stephen The Salon” in Brooklyn, NY.The visionary hairstylist behind some of superstar Rihanna’s most celebrated looks, Ursula Stephen is the go-to expert for today’s top personalities in fashion and entertainment. Ursula has worked with iconic fashion photographers including Steven Meisel, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Norman Jean Roy, Annie Leibovitz, Lachlan Bailey, Camilla Akrans and Mariano Vivanco. Her editorial clients include Vogue, W, 032C, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel and Rolling Stone, and she has created memorable looks for brand campaigns including Gucci, DKNY, MAC, H&M and Cover Girl. Her celebrity clients include Rihanna, Kerry Washington, Naomie Harris, Iggy Azalea, Rita Ora, Mary J. Blige and Laverne Cox.
Simone Petinatti
Creator & Promoter of Brazilian Free Hands ѕм ( Original Creator).With over 24 years of international career in the fashion industry, the Brazilian Simone Petinatti is more than a name, she is a Luxury brand in Hair. She is a world reference in making makeovers in Top Models, Celebrities and her loyal customers.She is in the book "Hair Color Bible" among the 50 best colorists in the world.
Andrea Malczewska
Bio Ionic/Ouidad Artist+InfluencerArt and creativity drive Dre Malczewska to be both an inspirational educator and influential stylist. With expertise in cutting and styling, and a love for ALL hair, Dre hopes to equip others and instill a confidence in them to work with all hair types and textures.
Greg Gilmore
Celebrity ColoristA Celebrity Colorist who has styled many including Toni Braxton, Skai Jackson, Nicole Ari Parker, Tami Roman, and more. Currently based in Los Angeles, Greg has spent over 20 years in the industry inspiring cosmetologists all over the country through his Education classes and social media platform. Greg is inspired by the everyday woman and the psychology behind hair and its transformative ability to change how a person feels about themselves. Currently Greg represents Moroccanoil as one of their Global Color Ambassadors sharing innovative techniques and showcasing the latest color trends to audiences throughout the industry.
Jenny Strebe
Jenny Strebe is the founder and CEO of AIIR Professional.She first rose to prominence through her popular hair blog, Confessions of a Hairstylist, which now reaches over a million followers across all social channels. After finding her center amidst the chaos of her busy life, Jenny created AIIR Professional to deliver high-performance hair products that support a balanced lifestyle. Blending energetic crystals and natural botanicals, AIIR products provide innovative, stylist-approved results through holistic ingredients from the Earth. As the first line of crystal-infused styling products, AIIR is defying the limits of hair wellness and innovation. A true pioneer in the hair industry, Jenny brings her passion for education, inspired hair and a balanced life into her vision for AIIR.
Janel Sealy Smith
Janel is a talented leader, accomplished hair professional, and a motivated humanitarian.For over 25 years, award-winning Janel Sealy Smith has taken the industry by storm, using hair and her cosmetology talents as a canvas for redefining beauty and transforming lives. Her exquisite styling has been featured in top magazines, major music videos , and award shows. Janel's mastery of the art of weaving and cutting resulted in the creation of her innovative hair styling techniques that stylists around the world are using and replicating on their clients. She is a superb example of how successful stylists can positively impact communities and the hair industry. Janel is on top of the hair game and is ready to continue riding the waves of her hair industry success.
Galyna Pocziwinski
A well-rounded stylist that specializes in braids and upstyles.A no stranger to photoshoots and Industry Event stages and as a member of the Ulta Design Team- Galyna is a 3x NAHA nominee & 1X winner as well as BTC One Shot 2X nominee & for braids and upstyling plus the 2021 Big Shot Avant- Garde Collection winner. Galyna was named in Modern Salon’s top 100 influencers. Overall, a well-rounded stylist that specializes in braids and upstyles.
Sarah Potempa
Sarah Potempa is a celebrity hairstylist and American inventor.Her celebrity clientele includes Lea Michele, Emily Blunt, Ana de Armas, Busy Phillips and Millie Bobby Brown. She has worked on editorial shoots for Vogue, Paper, Marie Claire, Jalouse, Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, Esquire, and W. Additionally, Sarah is the Creator and CEO of the patented, award-winning Beachwaver® rotating curling iron.
Dhairius Thomas
Celebrity HairstylistA Celebrity Hairstylist based in New York that specializes in All Textures. Named the "Wig Slayer" by Essence Magazine, Dhairius believes that the hair under the wig is what matters most. He has worked with stars such as Rihanna, Serena Williams, Cassie, Ziwe,Winnie Harlow and many more.
Angela Cattaneo
Founder of Beyond the Ponytail, BTP Society and the Beyond the Ponytail Styling Awards.As founder of Beyond the Ponytail, BTP Society and the Beyond the Ponytail Styling Awards, Angela Cattaneo has over 23 years of experience in the hair industry. Highly motivated and passion driven, her experiences include facilitating as an independent educator, hosting styling classes around the country, while curating and managing multiple inspirational niche platforms promoting stylists from around the world. Angela is also intensely devoted to the bridal industry and is known for her support of wedding hair stylists with mentorship and education through BTP Society, which recently launched an exclusive global wedding hair stylist directory. With our first annual hair show being held in Atlanta this October, Angela is focused on providing an unforgettable event devoted to the styling community.
Robin D. Groover
Founder of Groove GlobalRobin is the Founder of Groove Global, a beauty intelligence organization specializing in results-oriented beauty and wellness brands and insights for women of color. Groove Global launched award-winning Too Groovy Hair Salons in Atlanta, Georgia, weekly serving close to 700 Black women committed to their respective natural hair journeys. A leader in the natural hair and well-being movement, her flagship property will celebrate its 20th profitable year in 2023. She serves as Chief Hair Officer and Strategic Research Strategist for beauty technology partner Techturized Inc. They are the creators and inventors of Myavana Hair Care Tech Tools, the first personalized hair care recommendation app and software system for expertise and guidance. Robin D. Groover is an artist-activist and serves as a Senior Strategic Advisor for Chromatic Black. As an activist, she has been focused on the intersection of culture, economic power, and entrepreneurship in domestic and international contexts. Robin loves to give back through business development impacting and investing knowledge and resources in various mentoring networks, incubator and accelerator programs. She contributed from coast to coast through LISC, Morehouse Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Black Business Excellence Technical Assistance Program, and VestedIn by addressing the systemic barriers to accessing capital, contracting opportunities, and management skills for black entrepreneurs. As an industry enthusiast and expert RDG has served as a key advisor for small companies and large enterprises, Amazon, CMV Worldwide, Unilever, Godrej, IBS New York, Indique, Moisture Love, Paul Mitchell, Carol’s Daughter, Design Essentials, Shea Moisture, ANHC Pro and Strength of Nature. Robin’s respected commentary has been published and featured in ESSENCE, Martha Stewart, Byrdie, Black Enterprise, Pure Wow, Women’s Health and Allure. She lives in Atlanta with her supporting family, partner and friends.
Robert Santana
Bio Ionic Specialist, Salon OwnerAs a facilitator Robert Santana believes in authenticity. This allows for a delivery of one’s best self. Honing in on his strengths as a salon owner, presenter, specialist in color, texture and diversity. Robert believes education is key and relevant in any professional industry allowing for self growth and development.
Keya Neal
Founder, Texture Vs Race/Kolour KultureA stylist whose passion for color and texture is unmatched with over 25 years of experience, Keya Neal is leading a national revolution that is breaking textural boundaries that has long separated those in the hair industry. Keya’s passion for hair color and education led to the conception of Kolour Kulture, an educational resource for stylists who are particularly interested in the science of hair color and how it interacts with various hair textures.
Jamie Wiley
An acclaimed industry stylist, educator, and internationally published author of HAIR BOSS: A Hair Stylists' Guide to Owning Their Career.With over a decade of experience in session styling, editorial styling, platform artistry, and behind-the-chair experience, Jamie is nationally recognized as the “Next Generation Top Influencer'' by American Salon Magazine, a three time NAHA Finalist, and is currently representing the #1 Color Care Brand in North America, Pureology, as Global Artistic Director and Brand Ambassador for BabylissPRO.
Gregory Patterson
Celebrity Stylist & On Air Beauty/ Grooming ExpertKnown for his warm, magnetic and engaging nature, Gregory’s full-bodied career has regarded him as one of the most sought after hair stylists in the industry. With almost 20 years in the beauty industry Gregorys work can be seen on celebrity, red-carpet, television, infomercial, editorial, to product and tool innovation and development or sharing his knowledge through his global education, coaching and brand partnerships. Gregory currently lives in New York City.
Oliver B. Adams
Oliver B. Adams is known throughout the industry for his creative flair for hair, as well as his dynamic presence as a hair color educator.Affectionately known as the “Kolor King”, Oliver Is the owner of Splash Studios Inc., which consists of salons and salon suite locations in Atlanta, Georgia and Las Vegas, Nevada. As a Top Artist for Clairol Professional for 20 years, he shares his passion for hair, through his other love, which is teaching. He has been a featured platform artist at many national tradeshows that include the International Hair Color Exchange, ISSE in Los Angeles, Premiere in Orlando, Bronner Brothers in Atlanta, and IBS in New York, just to name a few. Recently he’s been a featured colorist for Elle Magazine, CNN, and Behind The Chair. He was also invited to be a Judge for the Texture Style Awards 2021 and a Mentor for the prestigious Beauty Envison Awards 2021!
Kia Sterling
A world renowned, award winning, editorial hairstylist and educator.As a driving force in fashion and beauty, her trendsetting style that she describes as “Rock and Refined” has been featured in countless add campaigns, fashion magazines and runways throughout the world. Kia is also a platform artist & educator for the Texture vs Race Collaborative. She lives for her motto: evolve, inspire, create and share as she is a strong believer in giving back and embraces her philanthropy work.
Marquetta Breslin
Marquetta Breslin is the founder of the American Wig Association and the co-founder of Breslin Media Group, LLC.She is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Master Wig Educator, and author of Million Dollar Stylist®, Fully Booked, Lace Wig Revolution, and What They Don't Teach You In Cosmetology School. She has educated some of the industry's top professionals, including Oscar-nominated makeup artists and Vogue Magazine Editorial Stylists. Marquetta has been featured in Sophisticate's Black Hair Magazine, BNB, Business 2.0, NBC, CNNMoney.com, and ABC. She is the creator of systems such as "Lace Wig University," "Cutting Mastery," and "Million Dollar Stylist®," which have reached more than 70,000 customers in more than 70 countries. She is also an international speaker and trainer, mainly at live events, such as her Lace Wig University LIVE!, Million Dollar Stylist® LIVE!, and more!