Meet Sammie

My legal name is Samara Lancia, but my friends and colleagues know me as Sammie.

I grew up in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood, not far from Wrigley Field, raised by my single mother with the help of my grandmother. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. Horses became my passion early in life, and as a teenager I took three buses each day after school to ride at Harmswood Stables in Morton Grove, often completing my homework during the 2½-hour commute. I earned money working as a groom and exercising horses for well-known clients from the city. I have had a lifelong dream of owning my horse farm one day. While the odds were stacked against me, I was determined and made sure to tell everyone who would listen about my dream. Those experiences shaped my work ethic and taught me that determination and dedication open doors.

I attended Our Lady of Victory in Chicago, later Notre Dame for Girls, and graduated from Foreman High School. Shortly after high school, I married my husband, Michael, and we have been married for 42 years. We are the proud parents of three grown children, Nicole, Michael, and Tyler. When we started our family, we knew we wanted more space than Chicago could offer. After our second child was born, we began searching for a place where we could raise our children in a neighborhood while still having room for our horses. That search led us to Pleasant Prairie.

We chose this community because it offered the best of both worlds, a touch of country living combined with a strong sense of neighborhood. It is where we raised our children, built our equestrian facility, Applewood Farms, welcomed neighbors and friends, and found the balance between rural life and community connection. Pleasant Prairie has been home to our family for nearly 30 years.

My family is everything to me, and I am blessed to have my grandchildren nearby. My grandson has special needs; he is brilliant, and he keeps me humble and laughing every day. My granddaughter is an accomplished young equestrian and an excellent student. Today, our adult children have chosen to remain in Pleasant Prairie and raise their families here, which speaks volumes about the strength and future of this community.

Service has always been a guiding value in my life and career. I feel grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and when I see a chance to help, I answer the call. I am an animal lover who often rescues forgotten dogs and horses, many with disabilities or past trauma. Trauma can be both physical and emotional, and animals often just need time, patience, and understanding. It is amazing how forgiving they are after enduring so much, and I am grateful for all they have taught me over the years.

Professionally, I am a licensed Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker with more than 40 years of experience. I have been a small business owner and entrepreneur in Pleasant Prairie for over 30 years, spent more than 25 years in corporate leadership in Kenosha, and dedicated 15 years to working with local nonprofits focused on foster care, adoption, human trafficking awareness, and mental health. As an adult learner, I earned my Paralegal Certificate from Carthage College in Kenosha.

My work has always centered on people, building strong relationships, managing resources responsibly, and bringing diverse voices together to solve problems. From my corporate years at Jockey International, to managing a national nonprofit program, to serving on the Village’s Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission, professional horse association boards, and currently as President of Tempo Kenosha, I have seen how thoughtful leadership, fiscal responsibility, and truly listening to the people we serve can make a meaningful difference.

I am passionate about mentoring, leading by example, and staying actively involved in the community. I strive to be authentic, approachable, and grounded in everything I do. I believe that if you want to make a difference, you have to be the difference, and that every challenge brings an opportunity if you are willing to look for it.

I am not a career politician. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, leader, and neighbor who genuinely cares about what happens in our community. As Pleasant Prairie continues to grow, I believe we must balance that growth while preserving the essence of who we are, ensuring residents are heard, and thoughtful decisions are made for the people and community where we live.

I would be honored to earn your support and your vote. I look forward to listening, learning, and working together to keep Pleasant Prairie a place we are proud to call home.