Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel names new CEO

Worley – The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel has appointed Laura Stensgar as CEO of the Northern Idaho destination property.

Stensgar has served in several leadership positions at the casino, including director of marketing. Most recently, she served as acting director of the casino resort before assuming the role of CEO.

“Visionary leadership is a great tradition with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe,” Stensgar said. “I’ve learned from it and hope to add to it, to continue to be a good neighbor and a contributor of goodwill to the region.”

Stensgar holds a master’s degree in business from the University of Idaho. She leaves her position in cultural tourism and public relations at the casino. She has been employed at the facility since it opened 25 years ago.

“The Tribal Council has great confidence in Laura’s abilities,” said Chief Allan, Vice-Chair, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council. “We know she will continue to run our resort at the top level we know she is capable of and that our guests have come to expect.”

As Cultural Tourism Director, Stensgar helped implement numerous Native American cultural activities at the resort. These activities enable people to immerse themselves in a variety of experiences that pay homage to tribal tradition and history. Examples include hiking through ancient ancestral homelands, eating authentic tribal foods, touring a bison ranch, and exploring Cataldo Mission, a historical building built by the Tribe in the 1700s (now repurposed as a museum).

The Cultural Program led Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the casino resort hotel to be named “Tribal Destination of the Year” for 2019 at the American Indian Tourism Conference.

“Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s mission is to improve the quality of life for our members through operating successful enterprises while maintaining our cultural integrity and traditions,” said Stensgar. “Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel exemplifies our commitment, and I’m honored to be selected as CEO.”