Kathy Colace is the CEO and heart and soul of JBN & Associates. Kathy started working in the recruiting sector in the mid-’90s, and it wasn’t long before her entrepreneurial spirit, inherited from her father and evident in her siblings, led her to establish JBN. The firm, named in honor of her children JJ, Brianna, and Nicole, launched in 1999 as a staffing agency focused on meeting the hiring needs of Arizona’s land development and homebuilding industries. Despite encountering a couple of significant obstacles over the years, JBN has adapted, broadening its reach to include more industries and higher levels of management, and has emerged as one of the nation’s premier search agencies.
Profoundly inspired by her father and the values of passion, commitment, integrity, and risk-taking he instilled in her, Kathy modeled JBN on these principles. Approaching its 25th anniversary in 2024, JBN has its eyes set on the future, with Kathy continuing to emphasize the keys the agency was founded under —leadership, strategic partnerships, and robust communication.
In life, Kathy has encountered many highs and some significant lows. From the joys of rooting for her twin daughters’ professional wrestling careers and working alongside her son to overcoming to recovering from a diagnosed brain mass. Through it all, passion has remained Kathy’s compass. When times get tough, one mantra helps to guide her – You may see me struggle, but you will never see me quit.
Outside of her work, Kathy cherishes moments with her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and her French bulldog, Teddy.
