Laura Olson brings leadership rooted in listening to Foundation

Collaborative leadership and deep regional commitment

A results-oriented executive known for principled leadership and an ability to build trust across complex stakeholder environments, Olson brings more than sixteen years of executive leadership experience, and a leadership style rooted in listening, partnership, and community impact. She has spent more than a decade investing in the region and now steps into the role as LACF approaches nearly a century of service to La Crosse County.

Most recently, Olson served as Chief Business Development and Chief Client Officer at Eneration, a strategic spin-out from Gundersen Health System. Prior to that, she spent eight years at Gundersen in progressively senior leadership roles, ultimately directing mergers, acquisitions, and strategic affiliations while serving on the organization’s Community Giving Committee. Earlier in her career, Olson served as Executive Director of Allamakee County Economic Development, where she managed a county revolving loan fund, secured state and federal grant funding, and built cross-sector partnerships that directed resources toward regional priorities.

LACF Board Chair Joe Moua said the search attracted an exceptional pool of candidates, and Olson’s combination of financial acumen, nonprofit governance experience, and authentic commitment to the La Crosse community distinguished her throughout the process.

“La Crosse Area Community Foundation has an extraordinary legacy and an even more exciting future ahead,” Moua said. “The board is confident Laura is the right leader to carry that momentum forward. Her depth of experience, her genuine connection to this community, and her ability to inspire people around a shared purpose made her the clear choice. We are proud to welcome her and eager to see the next chapter she will help us write.”

Leadership rooted in listening

As Olson begins her new role, her first priority is listening. Over the coming months, she will meet with donors, nonprofit partners, community leaders, and others across La Crosse County to learn what matters most to them and better understand the opportunities and challenges shaping local communities.

“I believe leadership begins with listening, but it doesn’t end there,” Olson said. “It means bringing people together, finding common ground, and turning shared aspirations into meaningful action. I’m honored to join LACF and look forward to working alongside our donors, nonprofit partners, businesses, and communities to build an even stronger future for our region.”

Olson holds an MBA from Viterbo University and a BA in Mass Communication from Winona State University. Click here to connect with Laura and the team!