Five decades of transformative workplace insights to be unveiled

PHOENIX, Ariz. (October 1, 2025) — Kolbe Corp, a leader in strengths-based performance solutions, is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the late founder, Kathy Kolbe, at KolbeCon 2025, the biggest KolbeCon yet. Scheduled for October 22-24, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, Kolbe Corp will also unveil groundbreaking data collected from five decades of conative research and more.

This annual conference brings together business leaders, HR professionals, and educators to explore the latest in conative science and its applications. KolbeCon 2025 will feature the Kathy Kolbe Celebration of Life, paying tribute to the visionary Kolbe Founder who revolutionized the understanding of human instincts and productivity through the conative part of the mind.

Kathy Kolbe, a renowned theorist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author, founded Kolbe Corp in 1975 (originally named Resources for the Gifted). Her groundbreaking work on conation, the part of the mind responsible for instinctive action, has transformed how individuals and organizations approach problem-solving and productivity. Kathy’s research led to the development of the Kolbe A™ Index, a game-changing assessment that helps people identify and leverage their natural strengths. In 1985, Time magazine recognized Kathy as one of seven Americans exemplifying the “spirit to inspire” in their “Man of the Year” issue, highlighting her pioneering work in understanding human instincts and motivation.

“As we honor Kathy’s legacy, we’re proud to share the culmination of 50 years of research that has empowered millions to embrace their instinctive strengths,” said Amy Bruske, President of Kolbe Corp and Kathy’s step-daughter. “This milestone event represents not just our past achievements, but our commitment to continuing Kathy’s mission of helping individuals and organizations thrive by understanding and leveraging their instinctive strengths.”

The Kolbe family’s dedication to the company’s mission has been a key factor in its longevity and success. For half a century, Kolbe Corp has remained a strong family business for two generations, successfully transitioning leadership while maintaining its core values and innovative spirit.

“Our 50th anniversary is a testament to the enduring power of understanding instinctive strengths,” said David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp. “As we look to the future, we’re committed to expanding our reach and developing innovative applications of conation to meet the evolving needs of individuals and organizations worldwide.”

The conference will unveil insights from Kolbe Corp’s extensive database, showcasing decades of conative research across generations and industries. This unprecedented analysis will reveal how human instincts and problem-solving styles have evolved over five decades, offering a comprehensive view of workforce trends and individual performance patterns. Attendees will gain exclusive access to new tools and strategies that leverage this wealth of data, aimed at enhancing personal and team performance in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

Kolbe Corp will also present findings from their 2025 Workplace Reality Survey, a global study of over 1,000 professionals who have taken the Kolbe A Index. This study provides a unique perspective on how instinctive strengths influence workplace satisfaction, stress, and retention. The survey results reveal critical insights for leaders on aligning tasks with natural abilities to boost productivity and reduce turnover risk.

KolbeCon 2025 will continue the Kolbe Badges program, recognizing years of service and lives empowered through Kolbe’s methodologies. The event will also include the presentation of the Conative Excellence Awards and feature keynote speaker Michael Balchan, President and Head Coach of Heroic.

To learn more about KolbeCon 2025, click here: https://www.kolbecon.com/events/kolbecon-2025