Libby Hubbard Stegger ’04 will receive Hotchkiss’s Community Service Award in recognition of her commitment to bridging divides and strengthening communities. She will be honored during a ceremony in Katherine M. Elfers Hall in October.

Stegger believes a plural democracy only works when Americans show up and work across their differences. “Division isn't inevitable. It's a choice, and we can choose another way forward,” she said.

That conviction led her to launch Civic Bridgers in 2020 to strengthen American democracy by preparing emerging leaders with the skills to heal polarization and bring people together to solve the nation’s greatest challenges. The nonprofit organization offers programs for teens, young adults, and experienced professionals to get involved in their communities, lead with conviction, and foster connection during deeply divided times. Libby also leads the Minnesota: Land of Neighbors collaborative. “It’s a big-bet project that helps people in my home state see what we share even when we differ,” she said. “More than dialogue, bridging is a commitment to service and a promise to our neighbors to build a shared future.”

Before launching Civic Bridgers, Libby spent more than a decade working on projects committed to some of America's toughest problems, such as food insecurity and educational inequity. She served as chief advancement officer for Hiawatha Academies, one of Minnesota’s largest networks of public charter schools. She led Hunger-Free Minnesota’s strategic grantmaking portfolio to increase access to child nutrition programs, and she spearheaded the launch and growth of one of the nation’s first SNAP Outreach Programs at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Stegger’s commitment to service has roots in her Hotchkiss experience. In her June 2024 Alum of the Month profile, she reflected on how living and learning alongside students from diverse backgrounds broadened her worldview. “There is no substitute for community values,” she said. “Democracy is grounded in civic participation, mutual understanding, and community engagement.”

She also recalled the importance of learning about civic debate at Hotchkiss. “Hotchkiss cultivated a spirit of intellectual discussion that allowed us to disagree without disconnecting,” she said. Her study of history from multiple perspectives helped shape her approach to empathy and understanding.

Stegger earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson College and an MBA from Yale School of Management. She lives in Saint Paul, MN, with her husband and four daughters.

Presented annually, the Community Service Award honors the service contributions that Hotchkiss graduates have made to their respective communities, whether local, national, or international. The award seeks to recognize individuals who—in the estimation of the Awards Committee of the Board of Governors of the Alumni Association—demonstrate through their volunteer and/or vocational endeavors an exemplary sense of caring, initiative, and ingenuity.