Mariah Kolodziej

Mariah Kolodziej. Photo courtesy of NEWaukee.

Where do you work and what makes your role awesome?

I work at The Mark Travel Corporation as an Engagement Specialist for Travel Agency Engagement. I love coming to work every day because each day is different and I get to work with leading accounts in the travel industry. Plus, I have a great team to work with!

How long have you lived in Milwaukee and what brought you here?

I have lived in Milwaukee for a little over two years. I went to college in a suburb of Chicago and then moved to Lima, Peru for a couple months after graduation. Milwaukee was the perfect city to call home after coming back to be close to my family in Stevens Point and still have that city feeling.

What do you love most about Milwaukee?

What’s not to love about Milwaukee? There is always something do and get involved with. I love taking advantage of the community events like Jazz in the Park, the NEWaukee night market, Bastille Days, MAM After Dark and the summer farmers market.

Where do you see Milwaukee in five years?

Milwaukee has such a unique charm, so it seems only right that is continues to grow and become one of the best cities for young professionals with new and fresh ideas to develop cutting edge innovations.

What local restaurant is at the top of your list?

After living in Peru for several months, C-viche is at the top of my list hands down. Every time I go there it takes me right back to the streets of Lima. You can’t go wrong with any of their ceviches and a pisco sour. And now I’m hungry…

What’s your favorite hidden gem or secret fact about the city?

My favorite hidden gem of Milwaukee is the dance scene. When I first moved to Milwaukee it was a great way to meet people and get a workout in as well. The salsa lessons at Salsabrosa Dance Company in the Grand Avenue Mall prepared me for every Thursday and Saturday night at Hot Water Wherehouse for social dancing. It’s a great community!

What do you think is going to be a game changer for the city in the year of 2017?

It is hard to pin point one thing that will be the game changer for Milwaukee in 2017, but I think the growth of the city with new businesses, the construction of the new Bucks Arena, and the excitement of the future is what is going to make 2017 great for Milwaukee.