When Sajani Amarasiri (B’12) moved from Sri Lanka to Pittsburgh, she never imagined her journey would eventually take her from Amazon and Microsoft to launching the first Sri Lankan-founded wellness brand in the U.S.
Today, her company, Kola Goodies, is making waves with culturally authentic products like their lazy girl-approved Chai and Sri Lankan Milk Tea Lattes, recently debuting in Whole Foods Northern California.
After graduating from Duquesne, Amarasiri began her career in supply chain roles at Amazon and Microsoft. Along the way, she experimented with entrepreneurial projects, including launching Sri Lanka’s first female co-working space in 2018. When COVID-19 forced her to pivot, she turned her focus to something more personal—bringing the foods and flavors of home to an American audience.
"I missed my mom’s cooking and the traditional drinks I grew up with in Sri Lanka. I wanted to make them accessible and healthy, while staying true to their roots," shared Amarasiri.
With Kola Goodies, Amarasiri sources fresh Sri Lankan ingredients directly from farms, without additives or emulsifiers, blending authenticity with modern wellness trends.
Amarasiri credits Duquesne with giving her both the technical foundation and personal support to succeed. “Duquesne was my launchpad,” she explained. “As an international student, I was homesick, but the International Office and my professors were always there to guide me.”
Her decision to study supply chain management, shaped by a small but impactful classroom conversation, proved pivotal. “What I learned at Duquesne—from supply planning to negotiation strategies—are things I use every day in running Kola Goodies,” she said. She still recalls a line from her negotiations professor: “If it’s not mutually beneficial, it’s not a good negotiation.”
Beyond academics, experiences like serving as a resident assistant, participating in business fraternities, and even etiquette training dinners helped prepare her for leadership. “Everything I learned at Duquesne, I’m still using,” she reflected.
Her advice to current students is straightforward: “Do everything possible. Take advantage of every opportunity—competitions, classes, networking. You never know what will make a difference. And always ask for help; the professors and staff want to see you succeed. The relationships and lessons from my time at Duquesne still carry me forward.”
As Kola Goodies continues to expand, Amarasiri remains rooted in the values she developed at Duquesne: authenticity, service, and resilience.
Follow Kola Goodies and Sanjani:
@kolagoodies
@sajaniamarasiri
News Information