Catalina Gonzalez-Jorba – 20 Under 40

This Colombian-born clothing designer and founder of lifestyle brand Dondolo made giving back to her home country and new home of Dallas a centerpiece of her company.

Dondolo started in 2012 as a children’s clothing line sold wholesale and has grown into a lifestyle brand with office and warehouse space in the Design District and collaborations with more than 10 other brands, including New York-based LoveShackFancy, which also has a store in Highland Park Village. 

Throughout its trajectory, though, Catalina Gonzalez-Jorba says the Dondolo Gives program, a charitable initiative that supports efforts to train and employ single mothers in Colombia and provide clothing and financial contributions to organizations like Community Partners of Dallas and the Birthday Party Project locally, remains the “heart” of Dondolo.

“I started Dondolo because of a strong desire to give back to women and children in need,” Gonzalez-Jorba said. “With my first newborn in my hands, I decided I wanted to fulfill my creative passion and help others. I fueled my passion when I started designing, mixing patterns and fabrics, and making everything with so much attention to detail. I am always thinking of new creations for mothers and children to wear and celebrate memories that will last forever.”

Outside of her work with Dondolo Gives, Gonzalez-Jorba supports Dallas by serving on the board of Community Partners of Dallas and Texas Ballet Theater, as a member of the Cary Council, which advances early-stage research by young scientists at UT Southwestern, on the 21st Century Council at SMU, and as a co-chair of the Family Forum at Dallas Museum of Art and the Family Night for Children’s Health. 

“I strongly believe in helping children and women in need and that (through) education and the arts, we can make a difference,” she said. 

Gonzalez-Jorba hopes to continue growing Dondolo and eventually open a community center in her native Colombia.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

My first job was doing financial reports and accounting for a real estate company. I learned that I see in COLOR and not in numbers … and although I graduated with an economics and finance degree, my minor in arts is still my passion that I love pursuing.

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

Being assertive and motivating the team with clear goals. Leading with empathy while being clear and assertive.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

I would tell the younger me to travel more and study abroad!

If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?

I would gift them the new Assouline coffee table book about Cartagena, because it shows where I am originally from, with so much beauty and color. 

What’s your biggest inspiration and why?

Traveling! It’s so wonderful to reconnect with nature and be immersed in beautiful new sceneries, whether it’s mountains or the ocean. I also love getting inspiration from other cultures and cities. I love learning and finding new colors and palettes.        

What’s on your bucket list?

I would love to visit Italy, Morocco, and do a Safari in Africa!