Luminary Evaluation Group Names New President and CEO

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. Luminary Evaluation Group, an evaluation firm serving nonprofits and based in the Berkshires,  announced that Alison LaRocca has been named the organization's first President & CEO. 
 
Luminary was founded in 2017 by Gary Romano, President & CEO of Civitas Strategies to meet the increasing number of evaluation projects the firm had at that time. Since its inception, Ms. LaRocca served as the firm's Managing Director where she expanded the client base, built out service offerings, and accelerated Luminary's growth with a 500 percent increase in revenue.  
 
"Luminary Evaluation Group was conceived and founded out of Alison's passion and ability to work with nonprofit leaders and community members to pursue a data-driven approach to improving outcomes for children and families," said Gary Romano, founder of Luminary Evaluation Group. "Under her leadership, Luminary has and will continue to grow in impact – helping communities across the nation to effectively meet community needs."
 
As Luminary developed, Ms. LaRocca refined an approach to conducting collaborative, rapid cycle evaluations that support nonprofit leaders and funders in making data-informed decisions about programming and investment.  Over the course of her career, she has led over 50 evaluations for foundations and nonprofits of every size and scale across the country. 
 
Ms. LaRocca's areas of evaluation expertise span the public serving sector with a focus on early childhood education; post-secondary readiness and success; homelessness; adult coaching and education; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
 
Under Ms. LaRocca, Luminary will continue its mission to help more nonprofit leaders recognize existing strengths around data collection that help them understand and communicate their impact.  With projects currently spanning coast-to-coast, Luminary's evaluations go beyond data collection and analysis to provide hands-on support to innovate, adapt, and change course as results emerge. 
 
"Our rapid growth is based on elevating the wisdom and program expertise that our partners bring to the table since they are the ones working directly with their local communities on a daily basis; it is their voices that truly guide our approach," said Ms. LaRocca of Luminary's diverse client base. "I am proud and honored to continue this important work and be a part of building the Berkshire economy."   
 
A Berkshire County native, LaRocca grew up on her family farm. She was a first-generation college student who graduated from Williams College, where  she majored in History. While at Williams, she received the Hubbard A. Hutchinson fellowship in dance. She also holds a Master's in Elementary Education from Merrimack College. Alison currently lives in the Berkshires with her husband, two children, basset hound Maribelle, and two pugs, Chloe and Zelda.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Home with Comfort and Functionality

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a nice colonial home with room to enjoy life? Then this might be the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 17 Kittredge Road.

The house was built in 1949 and includes four bedrooms and three baths. It is 2,430 square feet with 3.32 acres. It is on the market for $525,000.

The house also includes a sunroom and seasonal porch, along with a fireplace, as well as a garage. The house also features a fully finished basement with a game room, laundry room, and extra living space.

We spoke to Maggie Gavin with William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?  

Gavin: What really makes this home stand out is the combination of neighborhood setting, square footage, and versatility. It's located in a well-established Pittsfield neighborhood while offering a larger-than-average home with multiple living areas. Between the additional family room, finished basement, and the extra garage and shed space, the property provides exceptional storage and flexibility — features that are increasingly hard to find. It's a home that offers both comfort and functionality, with space to spread out and adapt to a variety of lifestyles.  

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Gavin: My first impression was how welcoming and functional the layout feels. The rooms flow naturally, there's great natural light throughout, and the home immediately feels comfortable rather than formal. It's the kind of space that feels easy to live in from the moment you step inside.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Gavin: One of the most special aspects of this home is that it has had only one owner, which really speaks to how well it has been cared for over the years. It was clearly a home meant to be lived in and loved long-term, with thoughtful updates made along the way. That sense of pride in ownership is something you feel throughout the property.  

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Gavin: This home is ideal for someone looking for space and flexibility — whether that's a growing family, multigenerational use, a buyer who works from home and needs multiple living areas, or someone who values privacy and outdoor space without sacrificing convenience. It's also a great fit for buyers who love to entertain or host holidays.

Are there any recent renovations or standout design features?

Gavin: Yes — there have been significant recent updates, including major mechanical improvements, roof and refreshed interior finishes. Standout features include the multiple living spaces, the four season sunroom overlooking the yard, and the finished lower level, which adds versatility for recreation, guests, or work-from-home needs.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Gavin: I would encourage buyers to picture how effortlessly this home adapts to different seasons and lifestyles — cozy winter evenings by the fireplace, summer gatherings in the yard, quiet mornings in the sunroom, and flexible spaces that grow and change with your needs. It's a home that supports both everyday living and special moments.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.


 

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