Invested in Your Success

Our Values

We believe meaningful work begins with passion, grows through kindness, and is sustained by belief. Find what drives you, treat others with care, and stay grounded in what matters most.

PeopleZest was founded in 2003 from a genuine passion for the multifamily industry and for helping people grow within it. Through her own career path, Jonna discovered a deep appreciation for recruiting and career guidance. What began as a personal calling has grown into a firm that has placed more than 500 professionals into roles that shape their futures and strengthen the companies they serve. When work is rooted in passion, it feels purposeful and lasting.
Kindness has been a guiding principle from the very beginning. It is not a slogan or a marketing phrase. It shapes how we communicate, make decisions, and treat both clients and candidates. We believe in conducting business with integrity and respect, guided by the simple principle of treating others the way we would want to be treated. That mindset influences every search and every relationship.
Belief is the foundation that supports it all. We believe in doing what is right, in serving others well, and in staying grounded in what truly matters. For Jonna, that belief is anchored in her Christian faith and expressed through service. Since her first trip to Ghana, West Africa, in 2010, she has remained actively involved in outreach efforts that support vulnerable communities there. Closer to home in Oklahoma, she volunteers as a licensed EMT and serves in animal care roles in her community. The Smith family farm is home to many animals, some raised there and others given a place to live out their lives with care.

Meet Jonna Smith

Owner

PeopleZest was built from Jonna’s deep experience in the multifamily industry and her genuine desire to help people grow in their careers. She believes recruiting should feel personal, thoughtful, and confidential. Candidates trust her as a steady sounding board where they can explore their goals, ask honest questions, and receive clear, objective guidance.

Jonna is passionate about helping people take meaningful next steps that support both their professional growth and personal lifestyle. She knows that the right placement is not just about a resume or a title. It is about long-term fit. That belief shapes the way PeopleZest serves every client and candidate.

Before founding PeopleZest, Jonna began her career in property management with JPI, a national multifamily organization. Over the years, she gained experience in strategic leadership and human resources operations, developing a strong foundation in recruitment and staffing. She understands that building a successful team requires more than filling an open role. It takes listening, collaboration, and a careful understanding of what each position truly requires.

Every search is handled with intention. Every client and candidate receives a tailored experience rooted in professionalism, discretion, and care.

After raising their two daughters in Dallas, Jonna and her husband of 30+ years relocated to a 40-acre farm near Lake Texoma. There, she enjoys life outdoors, boating, and caring for their farm animals, which often make appearances in PeopleZest community updates. She is actively involved in her local community in Kingston, Oklahoma, serving as a volunteer EMT and supporting the city’s spay and neuter clinic.

Jonna also dedicates significant time to charitable work in Ghana, West Africa, where she helps provide safe homes for trafficked girls. Through this work, she partnered with a local farmer named Mumuni to establish a hog business that now supports his family and helps feed the surrounding community.

Jonna believes that every day offers an opportunity to positively impact someone’s life, including our own. She encourages others to discover what matters most to them and pursue it with purpose.

Meet Darla Miles

VP of Recruiting, CPM, CCHP

Darla is the principal matchmaker at PeopleZest. She has a natural ability to connect the right person with the right opportunity, aligning company culture with a candidate’s long-term career goals. She approaches recruiting with both strategy and heart, believing that the best placements create growth for individuals and strength for organizations.

Her strength lies in truly listening. Darla understands what hiring managers need to accomplish and works closely with candidates to prepare them for meaningful next steps. From sourcing and presenting top talent to coaching candidates through the process, she is thoughtful, thorough, and consistent in delivering strong results.

Before joining PeopleZest, Darla advanced to the Regional Vice President level within the multifamily industry. Throughout her career, she has recruited, trained, and mentored hundreds of multifamily professionals. Her hands-on leadership experience gives her deep insight into property management operations and a broad, trusted network of candidates nationwide.

Darla earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University. Her faith, her family, and her relationships are central to who she is. She sets high standards for herself, both professionally and personally, and believes every day offers a fresh opportunity to grow, improve, and make a difference.

Meet Amy Kaddatz

Operations Manager

Amy leads day-to-day operations at PeopleZest, ensuring every detail supports a smooth, efficient search process. From internal reporting and database management to candidate research and workflow coordination, she keeps the firm organized and focused behind the scenes.

Her work allows the recruiting team to stay responsive and informed, while clients and candidates benefit from a seamless experience. Amy brings structure, clarity, and consistency to every search.

Before joining PeopleZest, Amy built her career in multifamily, beginning as an on-site leasing agent and advancing to property manager. Along the way, she developed strong, collaborative teams and fostered positive work environments that encouraged growth and accountability. Most recently, she served as a Revenue Manager, partnering with executive teams to strengthen strategy and drive greater asset performance. That experience gives her a strong understanding of both operations and the financial side of property management.

Amy and her husband Zach have made their home in the Conroe, Texas area. They homeschool their four children, which keeps life active, full, and grounded in what matters most.

Our Team in Action

Jonna and Mumuni formed a lifelong friendship and global partnership, J&M Farms, a hog farm that helps to sustain Mumuni and his family in Africa.

The Smith Farm is now home to 13 rescue animals, including donkeys, goats, dogs & cats.

Jonna met Benedicta on her first trip to Ghana, where an instant bond was formed. She has been sponsoring her care for 10+ years, and the two communicate regularly.

Jonna volunteering as a vet tech at the low-income spay and neuter clinic.

The children who live at Touch A Life's Care Center in Ghana, West Africa.