A California native and senior at Redwood High School, Hollis Belger is a fundraiser, philanthropy advocate, public speaker, and researcher. At the age of nine, Hollis founded Juggling for Jude, a soccer juggling fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition to raising more than $500,000 so far, she has raised awareness worldwide about the hospital and the fight against pediatric cancer. Hollis speaks to students and athletes around the Bay Area, encouraging them to find causes they care about and to make use of passions, talents, and interests as avenues for giving. She also advocates for adult and community efforts to support and help develop purpose in young people, through education, mentorship, and networking. Hollis has partnered with a number of major corporations as part of their social impact outreach and is currently working with the renowned market researcher, Dr. Howard Moskowitz, using his artificial intelligence technology to support St. Jude market research. Hollis has won a number of international, national, and regional awards for service, including the Diana Award, the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award, the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold), the US Soccer SheBelieves Hero Award, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Golden Gate Chapter Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, and the Carson Scholar Award. Recently named as one of People Magazine’s Teens Changing the World, Hollis has been featured in countless TV and print news outlets, as well as in Sports Illustrated Kids Magazine, A Mighty Girl, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, 60Second Docs, and many more. Outside of her fundraising, research, and public speaking, Hollis is an avid dancer and instructor at Roco Dance in Mill Valley, with a specialty in hip hop. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, her family, and her two small dogs.
Jen Golbeck