Jan Cohen
Interim CEO
Jan is our new Interim Chief Executive Officer at Via Services, and this marks her 18th interim leadership position. Jan started her career as a speech pathologist then became a special education teacher of children with multiple disabilities. She has spent most of the last 30+ years working in and with nonprofit organizations in leadership positions, Interim positions, and/or on Boards of Directors. Many of these are organizations whose missions are focused on individuals with disabilities: Project HIRED, Hope Services, Community Gatepath, SF Goodwill, SF Vocational Services, Easter Seals of the Bay Area, and most recently Helpers Community. She has served on the Boards of Hope Services, TransAccess/ExpandAbility.
Jan received her B.A. in speech pathology from the University of Massachusetts, her M.A. in speech pathology from the University of Maryland, and she holds a degree in special education from the University of Virginia. She has also received a certificate in marketing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Did you know?
Jan loves to travel, particularly to small medieval villages and the mountains.
Get in Touch
408-243-7861, ext. 233
jcohen@viaservices.org
Amy Churchill
Director, First Step
Amy oversees our clinics’ speech and occupational therapy program as well as Via’s Early Start assessment team . She joined Via in 2012 as a contractor through her private practice and transitioned into the role of director of First Step in January of 2015.
Amy received her B.A. in communication disorders from State University of New York and her M.A. from Lehman College at City University of New York. She also received a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She is licensed to provide speech and language assessments and intervention in California and New York.
Amy has 14 years of experience working with children in the private and the public sector, particularly with early childhood and preschool assessment and services. She has extensive experience with public special education services based on Individual Education Programs and Individual Family Services Plans. Amy has training/certification in the following programs: Hanen-It Takes Two to Talk, PROMPT, SCERTS, PODDS, PECS, Social Thinking, and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
Did you know?
Amy’s favorite dessert is New York cannoli.
Get in Touch
408-243-7861, ext. 233
achurchill@viaservices.org
Leslie Davis
Vice President, Advancement & Sales
Leslie is the Vice President of Advancement & Sales. She joined Via in 2011 as the director of Via West before becoming the Vice President of Programs in 2012. In 2014, she transitioned into the role of chief executive officer. In 2018, she decided to take a step back to spend more time with her growing family and transitioned into her current role.
Leslie received her B.A. in Spanish from Santa Clara University and her M.A. in special education and rehabilitative counseling from San Jose State University.
Leslie has extensive experience working with the special needs population. She worked as the special education manager at Rocketship Schools, an organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap of low income students. She also owned a private counseling practice in San Jose dedicated to vocational rehabilitation and transition counseling for those with special needs and those with work-related injuries.
Did you know?
Leslie is a die-hard fan of the San Francisco 49ers, the Oakland A’s, the San Jose Sharks, and the Golden State Warriors.
Get in Touch
408-243-7861, ext. 232
ldavis@viaservices.org
Irshad Fardan
Director, Via West & Altitude
Irshad oversees all of the programs at Via West and Altitude providing leadership, supervision, and management. He joined Via in 2013 as a counselor before becoming the program administrator in 2015. He also worked as the assistant director of Via West for 2 years before transitioning into the role of director in 2017.
Irshad received his B.S. in Psychology with a specialty in Clinical Psychology from San Jose State University.
Irshad has extensive experience working with the special needs population. Prior to his years at Via, he worked with at-risk youth at Corbett Group Homes, Inc. He has also spent time mentoring middle school children with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula.
Did you know?
Irshad is an Arabic name meaning guidance/direction.
Get in Touch
408-243-7861, ext. 216
ifardan@viaservices.org
Leslie Leger
Vice President, Administration
Leslie is responsible for the oversight and management of all IT and HR functions, relations with the Board of Directors, and she is also the financial liaison for the organization. She joined Via in 2001.
Prior to working in the nonprofit sector, she worked as the director of operations for a high tech company in Mountain View. She has years of experience with overseeing company administration and IT.
Did you know?
Leslie loves to go camping.
Get in Touch
408-243-7861, ext. 226
lleger@viaservices.org