Civic Bridgers is a 501c3 that strengthens American democracy by preparing emerging leaders to bridge divides.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LIBBY STEGGER

I am a Civic Bridger because I believe democracy thrives when we see the humanity in those we disagree with. I believe we are called to balance the courage to step into discomfort with the humility to listen. What drives me is the conviction that beneath our different views lies common ground, and that people working across differences can rebuild the civic trust our democracy requires.

Libby Stegger founded Civic Bridgers in 2020, motivated by concern over increasing civic distrust. She refuses to believe that half of Americans who disagree with her want bad things for their neighbors. Libby reached a point where she could no longer say “someone should do something.” She could do something. So can you.

Democracy’s most powerful force isn't exceptional people doing exceptional things—it's ordinary people who show up, listen deeply, and refuse to accept division as inevitable.

As curious dialogue with “the other side” became a cultural third rail, Americans descended into a reductionist view of morality – simply put, it’s who you vote for. This primed the emerging generation to view leadership as a good/bad binary, and for leaders themselves to align with candidates or parties over democracy itself.

Civic Bridgers prepares emerging leaders to defend democracy through bridging, a set of skills and practices that heal polarization and revive pluralism. Unlike many leadership programs, we do not prepare bridgers to wield power over others; instead, we prepare them to leverage collective power to bridge some of America’s most calcified divides.

VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS
JILL CAREY

 I am a Civic Bridger because I am called to love, honor, and serve all people. I am a values-guided person with high standards of probity – this often puts me at odds with others, especially when it comes to politics. But my northstar is love, and that means I don’t need an enemy to have an agenda. I can fight for my values while bringing people together and achieving a higher place of understanding, mutual care, and progress.

PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
KATIE FAYAD

I am a Civic Bridger because I believe change happens when we lead with honesty, kindness, and fairness. I try to approach every situation with empathy and an open mind, creating spaces where people feel heard and valued. I love learning—it keeps me curious and helps me adapt to whatever challenges come my way. Fairness is really important to me, and I work hard to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table. At the end of the day, it’s about bringing people together, building trust, and finding ways to move forward, even when things feel divided.

PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
JASMINE NGUYEN

 I am a Civic Bridger because I am a Gen Z digital native. I’ve spent years connecting with people from around the world across online communities: social justice activism, queer culture, fashion, and video games to name a few. In the past decade, people and media are seemingly more polarized, using a screen to speak behind without consideration of others. I am a Civic Bridger because I believe in everyone’s good faith and a common humanity.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Ellie Lucas

    Founding Board Member

    Hunger Impact Partners

  • Rebecca Noecker

    Founding Board Member

    Saint Paul City Council

  • Thomas Antony

    Board Member

    Red Ventures Optum

  • Christine Reed

    Board Member

    New Millennium Academy

  • Len Sanqui

    Board Member

    Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches

  • Nicole DeBoer

    Board Member

    Southwest Minnesota Arts Council

OUR PROGRAMS

Diverse youth with "VOTE" stickers on back of fists. Background is blurred smiling faces with Beyond Civics curved text.

BEYOND CIVICS
FOR TEENS

Beyond Civics is a 10-week enrichment program that trains teens to become Bridgers: community leaders who engage and solve problems across lines of difference.

Campus Bridging Initiative text over farm rows and buildings.

CAMPUS BRIDGING INITIATIVE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Campus Bridging Initiative bridges the urban-rural divide by immersing students from rural and urban community colleges in two weekends of cross-cultural learning and collaboration.

People collaborating and working on a table with books, pens, and phones.

FELLOWSHIP
FOR YOUNG ADULTS

The Civic Bridgers Fellowship immerses young leaders in a year of bridge-building at a local nonprofit or government agency.

OUR PARTNERS IN BRIDGING

Green leaves and brown tree trunks with Banyan Community in the center.
Minnesota state shape with yellow, green, and blue regions. Community Power in text to the right.
Cultural Wellness Center with health, heritage, harmony below. Three rings of orange, green, and blue to the left.
Foundation for Essential Needs with red flower.
Great MN Schools with Minnesota state shape made up of colorful education iconography.
Initiative Foundation with "if" in red circle.
Minnesota Humanities Center with blue, grey, and white connected circles.
Minnesota Multifaith Network with Minnesota state shape surrounded by orange, blue, green, red dots with lines.
MIGIZI with bald eagle shape.
Lead MN with Minnesota state shape in green with connected white lines.
Project for Pride in Living with "ppl" inside green circle.
Northside Achievement Zone to the right of cyan N with "NAZ" in the center.
West Central Initiative with Minnesota state shape outline and regions in color..
Southwest Minnesota Arts Council.