A New Chapter for the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce

Join Sam Scinta, the new CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the Chamber's Workforce Strategies Director Lauren Harris, for a conversation about the La Crosse Chamber, where it has been, and importantly, where it is going in 2026 and beyond. We will discuss the mission of the Chamber and why the Chamber is so excited about the future of the La Crosse region, with a sneak preview of some upcoming programs.     

Sam Scinta was recently named CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. He has been a Lecturer in the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Lecturer in the History Department at Viterbo University. He is the creator, in partnership with Viterbo's Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership, of Rebuilding American Civics, a program providing civics education and a space for civil discourse for community members, and Civics and Cinema, in partnership with the Rivoli Theater. For over 25 years, he served as editor and publisher for an independent book publisher, and was the founder of a nonprofit focusing on critical thinking and civil discourse within regional high schools. He received his JD from the University of Denver, and has served on several boards in the Western Wisconsin region.

Lauren Harris is Workforce Strategies Director at the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the First Friend Newcomer Connection Program as part of the region's talent attraction and retention efforts. Partnering with more than 30 area employers, she welcomes job candidates and new hires through providing personalized community tours and building connections to area residents and organizations.