1. How do you want your name to appear?

Katie Workman

2. Describe your first “real” job. What are you doing now?

During high school and college I waitressed, interned at a book publishing company, worked in a frozen yogurt store, and at the insurance agency a friend’s dad owned….

First “real” job, as in after college was as an editorial assistant at Clarkson Potter Publishers, a division of Random House. I worked for an editor who worked on a lot of cookbooks, which was intentional. I stayed there for 12 1/2 years, becoming a cookbook editor after a fairly short time, and my first boss is still one of my best friends.

Now I have written a cookbook, The Mom 100 Cookbook, which comes out in 2012. I am also the editor in chief of Cookstr.com, a recipe website I helped launch in 2008, which featured edited recipes from published cookbooks, all written by the best authors and chefs out there.

3. What was the best piece of advice you’ve received?

I can’t know that this was given to me as actual advice, but I have always understood that is is critically important to treat people fairly and with respect. I also believe that going out of your way to do something thoughtful or helpful for someone else, whether it’s someone you know or not, is part of what it’s all about. Much of this comes from my father. Also, not being afraid to take a risk, not following the thinking of the moment.

4. Brag. Tell us about something really great or that you’re proud of or excited about.

I am excited and also nervous about The Mom 100 Cookbook. I put a lot of work and energy into it, and I really hope it hits its mark and makes people feel excited and empowered to get into the kitchen and cook for their families more.

5. 40 under 40. Ones to Watch. Most Powerful. So many lists out there….. who is on your list (and why)?

Like many people, I am impressed when people with wealth and power use it to help out and shine a light on those with less, or those in trouble. So, certainly everyone from Bill Gates to Susan Serandon to Matt Damon. My husband recently did some work with the Eli Broad foundation, and the fixing of education in the country is at a crisis point, so anyone who is trying to help fix this is a hero. I admire Oprah Winfrey and Ellen Degeneres, because they really put themselves out there while having kindness and generosity be at the center of their work.

6. What do you plan to accomplish by summer?

The book will be at the printers, my house will be neat and organized, and I hope to have achieved a better sense of what I need to do media-wise to build The Mom 100 brand. I’d like to have written a few more pieces for publications I really admire.

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Kelly Hoey is a co-founder of Women Innovate Mobile.