Executive Director: Shannon Kummerow
My name is Shannon Kummerow, and I am the Executive Director at The Center! I moved from Central Wisconsin to the La Crosse area. I have worked in nonprofits prior and really enjoy the mission behind The Center. I am very excited to be a part of a safe place where people can be themselves and being involved in the community. In my spare time, I enjoy kayaking, hiking with my two dogs, and spending time with my family.
executivedirector@7riverslgbtq.org
(she/her/hers)
My name is Elizabeth Digby-Britten, I am Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, and I am Bear Clan. I am also German. I have been married for 21 years and we have lived in La Crosse since 2005. We have two children, both are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am a double alumni of UWL, I have Bachelors in Art Education and a Master’s in Professional Development-UWL. I have worked in education for over 20 years in a variety of ways. I have taught students age 2-adult. I currently work for the YWCA and am a Restorative Justice Coordinator. I am dedicated to social justice work and will continue to work for equality for all.
elizabethd@7riverslgbtq.org
(She/Her/Hers)
President: Elizabeth Digby-Britten
Garrett is a grant writer at Western Technical College where he works to break down silos and build community collaborations for the benefit of students. He is a passionate advocate for his own queer, trans, and disabled/neurodivergent identities and a strong believer that his own liberation is bound to others (to paraphrase Lilla Watson) and without questioning and challenging privilege, no one can be free. While always on a constant journey of growing and learning, he regularly advocates for approaching issues from an intersectional and racial justice lens in his official work and his role as a co-founder and co-coordinator of La Crosse DJ Collective, a grassroots disability justice group based on the 10 disability justice pillars of Sins Invalid. In his (increasingly rare) free time, he enjoys dream making/building with friends and hanging out with his main girl: his cat Frankie.
garrettd@7riverslgbtq.org
(He/Him/His)
Vice-President: Garrett Denning
Secretary: Alex Wagner-Romero
A transplant to the area, Alex Wagner-Romero moved to La Crosse from New Orleans with his husband, JC, in 2022. They have been married since 2018 and are proud pet parents to Frankie and Jack. Alex holds a BA in music education from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MEd in higher ed administration from Northeastern University. He worked as a K12 educator for many years and currently works at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a transfer admissions counselor. With a history of advocating for the queer community, Alex is excited about the opportunity to serve the Center and support social justice and equity throughout the region.
(He/Him/His)
Hi! I'm Vanessa (they/she). I moved to La Crosse in 2014 and do my best to stay engaged with antiracist groups and cultural groups in the area. I love volunteering with Cia Siab, Inc and Hope Restores. I also volunteer as often as I can with The Mississippi Valley Conservancy. I work as a Language and Culture support teacher in the School District of La Crosse, currently at Longfellow Middle. I love being outside, especially riding my bicycle, hiking, and kayaking with my wonderful partner. When I am not outside, I also enjoy snuggling with my cat, reading audiobooks, and working on creative projects. I am grateful to be a part of such a great resource for our LGBTQ+ community here in La Crosse!
vanessad@7riverslgbtq.org
(They/She on Ho-Chunk Land)
Vanessa DaughterofLois
Felix is the owner of Misfits Hair Studio located in La Crosse. They specialize in gender affirming hair care and fun, vivid colors. They stay active in the community through attending local events with friends. Felix is also a dedicated bird and dog parent. Felix got involved in January with The Center when joining the board. Since then, they have been attending support groups and helping grow those, getting involved with the Pride event held in September, and has brought many ideas for future events!
(they/them/he)
Felix Murphy
After several years of volunteering, Bill is excited to join the board. Bill works in the Youth Services department at the La Crosse Public Library where he champions for inclusive media and programming for area children and teens. In his spare time, he is an avid bookworm, tattoo enthusiast, and Marvel Comics superfan. He currently lives in La Crosse with his husband, Andrew, and their two dogs, Fred and Pamplemousse.
(he/him)
Bill Ives
Scott Klawiter-Grosskopf
Scott is a licensed social worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Viterbo University in La Crosse, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Scott is a lifelong La Crosse area resident who has worked at La Crosse County Human Services working in Child Protection, Tellurian UCAN Care Center CBRD doing direct care with Crisis Care with Mental Health clients, Family and Children’s Center doing case management with Mental Health clients, then withing with Managed Care Organization, Inclusa, working case management with Mental Health & Frail Elderly clients and conducting certification for Adult Family Homes. Scott recently began working at Chileda working with children with behavioral or mental health needs and working on his clinical hours to acquire his licensing to provide mental health therapy. Scott is a member of the LGBT+ community and loves to sing, and is an original house cast member of Illusions a long-term running drag/variety troupe that has been performing in the area for nearly 20 years. Scott also has a 25-year-old son who is also part of the LGBT+ community and is a rising star in the drag community. I have joined The Center Board of Directors to get more integrated into the community, to help La Crosse County in ensuring that the vibrant and diverse community that is found in the La Crosse area has as many resources as possible and there is a one stop shop place to either get those services or be offered options that are available to ensure each and every person that is served is able to put their best foot forward to live their best life.
He/Him
Sarah Kay
Hi! I’m Sarah Kay, a Wisconsin local who has called the La Crosse area home since 2022. With over 20 years of experience at a SW WI farm cooperative, I’ve held various roles in marketing, workplace and facilities management, and employee engagement. I’m deeply passionate about diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. In my free time, I enjoy photography and capturing the beauty of the world around us. I’m particularly known in this area for my photography work with the La Crosse Gurls/Allvibes drag queens and kings. I find immense inspiration in the drag community and am continually in awe of their craft. I’m also a mother to a grown daughter, who is also involved with the Center and a talented artist, and a proud pet parent to a husky/American bulldog mix. As a Center volunteer, I’m thrilled to join the Board, eager to help the Center sustain and expand its incredible offerings into the future.
She/her
Steven Kunz
Steven Kunz is a recent addition to La Crosse, having made the move from Cincinnati, OH, in July 2024 with his dog, Ollie. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences from the University of Cincinnati and went on to obtain a Master’s in Health Services Administration from Xavier University. Currently employed at Mayo Clinic Health System, Steven is excited to immerse himself in the local community. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, discovering new restaurants, and watching films. Driven by a strong commitment to promoting LGBTQ+ health equity, Steven looks forward to contributing to The Center through board membership.
He/Him/His
Alec Lass
Alec was born and raised on occupied Ho-Chunk land, commonly called La Crosse. He holds a BA in Applied Linguistics from UW-Milwaukee where he also studied Spanish, Russian, Swedish, TESOL, and LGBTQ+ Studies. Alec works at UW-La Crosse in the Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department, studies queer history and drag communities, is the “co-guest-brewer” of Something Groovy, Something Fruity beer at the La Crosse Distilling Co., and is the Assistant Director for the Hear, Here project in La Crosse. Alec enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, forging, kayaking, and being yelled at by his needy cat, Raja. Email me to learn how you or your business can get involved with The Center or if you have a queer story you’d like recorded for Hear, Here’s in-the-works queer expansion, Queer, Here.
He/They
Past President:
Andrew Ives
Hello, my name is Andrew and I use he/him/his! I got involved with The Center as soon as I moved to La Crosse in 2014. I volunteered during Pride in the Park that year. Since 2014, I have gotten more involved with The Center, attending different groups and finding more ways to get involved. Right now I’m looking to find more ways to support the wonderful work of The Center financially! My favorite part of The Center is the warm and welcoming people and the atmosphere. The folx at The Center genuinely want to support one another and be a part of the beautiful LGBTQ community!
(He/Him/His)