Jules Catania
AWB Managing Director
Jules is a passionate advocate and entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience shaping and elevating start-ups and new initiatives in both the for-profit and nonprofit worlds. Her journey in entrepreneurship began with a strong foundation in retail, launching her career at Macy’s in New York. From there, moved into wholesale sales, production, sourcing, and design respectively. As the Indonesian Country Manager for a dynamic, mid-sized sportswear label, she became fluent in Indonesian and developed a multi-faceted network of textile and clothing manufacturers and international shipping companies. After several years overseas, she returned to the United States with a collection of women’s apparel and started her own business.
Her entrepreneurial spirit truly shone when she founded a women’s apparel company that stood out for its unique designs and commitment to sustainability. Utilizing reclaimed fabrics and trims, employing hundreds of craftspeople in Central Java Indonesia she grew it into a national brand with distribution in Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Marshall Fields, and numerous independent specialty stores across the US. Her hand-on leadership overseeing every aspect of the business, from design and production to marketing, sales and distribution was instrumental in achieving profitability right from the inaugural year.
Following more than a decade of successful brand building and wholesaling, Jules transitioned into consulting. Her expertise lies in collaborating with boards, business founders and executives who find themselves at critical crossroads, helping them develop and implement strategic solutions that drive measurable results.
For the past 9 years she has been an advocate and champion for people with disabilities and for programs and organizations educating and supporting children coming from low-income backgrounds. Most recently she was the Managing Director of Dream Camp (Hartford and Philadelphia). As Managing Director, she was responsible for the day-to-day operations and funding streams, community liaison, developing and executing the organizations’ strategies, and overseeing all business operations, people and partnerships while providing tactical advice to the board and chairperson.
She is a graduate of Cornell University, an active community member, wife, mother, friend and a health and wellness enthusiast (AKA former athlete).