Executive Director: Shannon Kummerow
My name is Shannon Kummerow, and I am the new Executive Director at The Center! I recently 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. I’m looking forward to getting more of The Center programs running again and getting involved with 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)
Treasurer: Matt Dougherty
Vanessa moved to La Crosse in 2014 and has been working for the School District of La Crosse since 2015. She currently works at Longfellow Middle School as the Culture and Language support teacher. She supports students and families who speak languages other than English. A large part of her role is to co-plan with teachers in an effort to create a school system that is multilingual and multicultural in all aspects. Vanessa also volunteers in the community as the facilitator for the SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) book club. She collaborates as part of the MLK Community Celebration planning committee. She has also volunteered for the Enduring Families Project. In 2019-2021, she was a facilitator for the Waking Up White deep dives and book chats. In addition to community building, Vanessa also enjoys riding her bicycle year-round, tent camping in the warmer months, and being outside as much as possible. When she is not outside, she enjoys snuggling with her cat, reading lesbian love stories, and working on creative endeavors.
vanessad@7riverslgbtq.org
(She/They on Ho-Chunk Land)
Vanessa DaughterofLois
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 chairing the Grant Committee and 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!
andrewi@7riverslgbtq.org
(He/Him/His)