Innovative Solutions for Educators

Our Mission

Global education should be life-changing, not log-jamming. Too often, leaders are stuck stitching together scattered tools, chasing down forms, and worrying if every traveler is seen and supported. Students miss chances. Staff burn out. The work of building global citizens gets buried under busywork.

We’re here to fix that. Via brings the journey into one clear flow—so teams can invite interest, remove barriers, move people safely, and turn moments abroad into momentum back home. We design for real life: fewer clicks, faster answers, and visibility that helps you act when it matters. Our promise is simple—innovative where it counts, human all the way through—so every educator can focus on people, and every traveler can go further with confidence.

Make global education work—for every traveler, every student.

Via Values in Action

Add Ideas to Ideas

Innovate by improving others’ ideas and welcoming enhancements to your own, while staying connected to the big picture through cross-industry learning. Look for ways to address issues when change is needed for the greater good.

We've Got your Back

Be reliable, accountable, and trustworthy, doing what you say and saying what you do. Provide support, offer collaboration and constructive feedback, and always boost your teammates that help you with good vibes to spread gratitude.

If Not Me, Who?

Be action-oriented and proactive, addressing problems without waiting for others. Offer observations and ideas first, and ensure completion of both big and small tasks. Instead of waiting for problems to be solved – take initiative!

Eyes on Data, Ears on People

Make decisions based on data, using both information and compassion as your guide. Consider the statistics carefully while also listening attentively to people’s perspectives and feelings.

Do the Right Thing

Respond with kindness and compassion, maintaining positivity about clients and competition. When others go low, we go high, remembering that blowing out others’ candles doesn’t make ours burn brighter.

Meet Our Leadership

The People Guiding Our Mission

Dave Saben Chief Executive OfficerTampa, FL

Trevor Stiegelmar Vice President of OperationsAurora, CO

Chad Kinart Vice President of GrowthMinneapolis, MN

Brooke Roberts Vice President of MarketingKansas City, MO

Chelsea Balderson Vice President of ProductOrlando, FL

Gary Strader Vice President of EngineeringAustin, TX

Lisa Stern Board Chair/Strategic AdvisorFranklin, MI

Samantha Martin Founder & Strategic AdvisorBoulder, CO

Our Story

Milestones that Made Via

2012

After wrestling with clunky, costly study abroad software—and seeing price as the biggest barrier for students—Samantha Martin envisioned a platform that made the work intuitive for educators and helped students save and fundraise to make their global experiences possible.

2013

Launches as Project Travel, a fundraising platform helping more students say “yes” to going abroad.

2015

Ships Program Match so students can find the right program faster—and offices field fewer “where do I start?” emails.

2018

Rebrands to Via TRM and launches Via Global—bringing relationship management to education abroad teams.

2020

Navigates the pandemic with partners, proving that clarity and communication aren’t optional in global mobility.

2021

Introduces Via Travel for travel registry and risk management—real visibility, timely check-ins, safer decisions.

2023

Adds Via Contracts to manage global partnerships and exchange balances—one place, fewer surprises.