Iorio's Alumni Update: Brynn Kolada

Co-founder Nick Lemmer recently got in touch with one of Ann Arbor's original gelatistas, Brynn Kolada. We're thankful to have such a strong foundation of team members that keep our stores running, past and present. Read below for the full interview!

When did you work at Iorio's?

July - December 2011 (I was an "OG" you might say).

What have you been up to since?

In December 2011 I graduated, moved to Washington, DC, and worked with a few different women's health/global health/HIV non-profit organizations there for 3.5 years. I'm currently living in Lilongwe, Malawi and working with an awesome organization called mothers2mothers through a year-long fellowship with the Global Health Corps. We train and employ HIV-positive women to be peer educators and psychosocial support counselors for pregnant women who are just finding out their HIV status. 

How did you end up there?

I've always wanted to live abroad, and I've always been interested in working toward improved global health and social justice, so Global Health Corps was an awesome opportunity to do all those things! I'm just about seven months in, and loving it, although I must say, the gelato game is seriously lacking in Malawi. Next Iorio's franchise location?

Have you been back to Ann Arbor since? What brought you back?

I went back to Ann Arbor a few times in 2012 while most of my friends were still in school, and then for the 2013 for UTLII, Michigan vs. Notre Dame, which was incredible. I've been DYING to get back again, especially now that we have Harbaugh, so hopefully that'll be in the cards for this coming fall.

What is your favorite flavor of gelato?

Earl grey!

Yes or yes, Iorio's is the best job you've ever had?

Duh. But actually, maybe yes. I miss customer service work, and Iorio's was definitely the best customer service job I ever had (and I had a lot!).