March 8, 2019
Gary Ciurczak, Founder of Via Evaluation, has announced his departure from the applied research and evaluation firm he started in Buffalo in 1998. Working primarily in the education space, Ciurczak focused on developing clients, growing the company’s portfolio and staff over 20 years. In 2012, Ciurczak and a team of employees collaborated on a name change and the firm became Via Evaluation. Today, the firm focuses primarily on helping non-profits, foundations, and school districts measure their social impact.
Ciurczak planned for the future of the organization by beginning a transition of ownership back in 2017, when Director of Evaluation, Jessica Weitzel (now President) and Director of Operations, Komani Lundquist (now CEO) became majority owners. Ciurczak took on the role of Director of Business Development and remained on the Executive Committee to provide support and continuity.
“No words can express the satisfaction I’ve received from providing significant support in our areas of expertise to organizations across the country over the past twenty years. I am fortunate that I was able to work with such passionate, dedicated and capable staff both within and outside Via Evaluation,” said Ciurczak. “Under the inspiring leadership of Komani and Jessica, all Via Evaluation clients will continue to receive expert research and evaluation support.”
“We are supportive of the direction Gary has decided to take,” said Lundquist. “We have a deep respect for him as a mentor and for what he has accomplished since starting Via Evaluation over two decades ago.”
Via Evaluation provides organizations serving high-risk populations, including schools and community-based organizations, with state-of-the-art evaluation, research, program development, and reporting services leading to positive long-term results and sustained systems change. To learn more about Via Evaluation, visit viaevaluation.com.
