Alum Spotlight: Kala Maxym '01 & Sarah Warshavsky '22
Kala Maxym graduated in 2001 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Music, and in 2022, Sarah Warshavasky graduated as a double major in Music and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. The Barnard alumnae network connected the two of them, and since then, Kala has hired Sarah to work at both of her companies: first at Five Senses Tasting, and now at The Chocolate Dispensary.
“I think one of the reasons that [Sarah] came to me initially was the musical focus,” Kala said. Both Kala and Sarah have backgrounds in opera, a passion that ultimately brought the two together. “I was a senior,” Sarah said, “I was nervous because [gender studies and music] is an intersection that people don't necessarily talk about much. Through the Barnard alumnae network, I found Kala and Five Senses.”
Founded by Kala in 2012, Five Senses Tastings provided an experience that paired wine tasting with music. Sarah initially was hired by Kala as an intern and content writer, but when the company was closed down in early 2023, Sarah went back to teaching at music education non-profits and professionally acting in musicals. Meanwhile, Kala started working retail at her local wine store, an experience that unexpectedly led her to her current business. “I had no idea at the time that all of the experience I was getting there would translate into what I do now. It sounds cliche, but no experience is a useless experience. I had no idea that eight months of working for $23.50 at the age of 43 would allow me to come up with an idea that nobody else in all of Southern California is doing.”
In 2023, Kala founded The Chocolate Dispensary with her partner, Dale. Today, the store carries over 350 products from around 65 different chocolate makers, making it the largest curated collection of craft chocolate in Southern California. They sell chocolate online and as well as at their brick-and-mortar in Echo Park, all while promoting sustainability and inclusion through their business practices. Kala initially posted about the business on Linkedln, which Sarah stumbled upon. “I missed [using] more academic and creative muscles outside of performing. I thought, this has got to be a sign. I messaged saying that I would love to work with [Kala] again.” Now, Sarah works as the marketing manager.
“I couldn't be doing my job right now without Sarah,” Kala claims. “The fact that she's here is one of the reasons that my business can grow right now, so I hope that she'll be able to work with us for a long time. It's also nice that we can be flexible around each other. I've been a performer, so I know what that means; we can work around each other.”
Both alumnae praised Beyond Barnard and the resources it provided for them, both during and after college. Even though Kala has been through various career changes, from opera school at the Boston Conservatory to founding two companies, she claims that she “never worked harder than [she] did at Barnard.” As a student, she found various paid internships each semester through Beyond Barnard’s support.
Kala also emphasized the cyclical nature of Barnard. “My hope is that when Sarah is a business owner or a performer, she’ll have someone come up and look to her for guidance,” noting that that’s the alumnae experience Barnard provides. “I have literally never reached out to a Barnard alum who has said no. They want to help,” Kala said, adding that she feels this way when students reach out to her as well. “I know that if you’re from Barnard, you're smart, capable, independent, and a self-starter. I don't have to worry about all those things. Anyone coming from Barnard is someone I need to talk to.”
Finally, Kala concluded, “Barnard is an incredibly special, nurturing, kind, loving, challenging environment. Once you're on campus, you're part of it forever if you choose to be, and that is a very good thing.” Sarah agreed: “The campus is always there for you. The community is always there for you.”
Source: Interview conducted by Tabitha Wan ‘25