In second grade, after reading The Lorax, Stef Seger announced to her teacher that she wanted to be a Lorax. The Lorax “speaks for the trees who can’t speak for themselves.” That’s the day she learned what it meant to be an advocate. As a young adult, Stef set her sights on a degree in political science and eventually added a master’s degree in social work. She built a career in government and community relations, first in Columbus, Ohio, and later in Kansas City, where she began working on the government relations team at Children’s Mercy.
Today, she serves as Regional Manager of Community Development at Meta. Her roles have allowed her to speak on behalf of children, families, and the broader community with the goal of ensuring their needs shape the funding and policies that affect daily life. The impact of her advocacy is widespread and evident in the policies she has helped shape. “She has successfully advocated for policies that have improved families’ access to early childhood education, expanded mental health services for youth, and strengthened Missouri’s child welfare system,” said Brian Schmidt, Kids Win Missouri.
Stef moved to Kansas City in 2013. Although she grew up in Virginia, this is where she “grew up” as an adult. Since then, she has gotten married, adopted a dog, and moved from her first Kansas City home to a second one. Working at Children’s Mercy connected her to the city’s civic and non-profit network from the start. “I think the philanthropic community in Kansas City is different from any other city,” she said. “People care not only about the ‘treasure,’ but also the time and talent parts of it. There are places for you to plug in. If you’re willing and able to jump in, they are ready to have you.”
Those opportunities to “jump in” opened the door to her board service and leadership with organizations that include Kids Win Missouri, Harvesters, Nurture KC, Operation Breakthrough, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, CASA, Starlight Theatre, Girls on the Run, and The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Kansas City.
One of Stef’s earliest leadership lessons in Kansas City came at Operation Breakthrough, where she served on the advisory board. Teacher morale was low, and her first impulse, as a young leader, was to bring treats. “I thought it would be nice to give them cupcakes because I love cupcakes,” she said. But instead of dropping off dessert, she and fellow volunteers organized after-school listening sessions where teachers could talk openly about what they needed. Stef learned that the teachers wanted feminine hygiene products in the bathroom and magazines for the break room. They also asked for birthday cards with “a little something” inside. When Stef suggested Starbucks, they said they preferred QuickTrip. “It was kind of a humbling moment,” she said. “It was a lesson for me that it starts with listening, even when you are a leader.”
When Operation Breakthrough approached QuickTrip, the company created an internal employee contest and contributed half the funds. Every teacher received a $10 gift card. In a gesture to help teachers feel seen, volunteers added a monthly breakfast stocked with donated fruit, juice, and pastries. The experience gave Stef a firsthand understanding that impact begins with truly knowing the people and communities involved. It’s a perspective she carries into the work that matters most to her. “Her personal mission is to make her community the best place for kids,” said Gene Willis, GEHA. “It’s exceedingly rare for a person with so many leadership commitments to honor individual care for communities that are easily forgotten.”
Whether she’s motivating volunteers or supporting colleagues, Stef pays attention to what drives them. Sometimes it’s efficiency or impact; other times, it’s something else entirely. Above all, her approach begins with a personal connection. “I like to have genuine relationships with everybody,” she said. “I want to know you before I need you.”
As her connections and commitments have grown, Stef has learned to be intentional about where she puts her energy. “I used to think, ‘I can work harder than anybody, and I can outwork anybody’,” she said. “I can be the one who shows up at every single thing.” Now, as a parent and regional leader who travels frequently for work, she has begun to rethink what sustainable leadership looks like. She has begun using a two-axis graph to decide where her energy will matter most. One axis measures how much her heart is in the work. The other measures the potential impact. Even with clearer boundaries, those around her say her “yes” still carries weight. “When she says ‘yes’ to something beyond those primary priorities, you know you are never getting anything less than an equal share of her attention and efforts,” said Lindsey Rood-Clifford, Starlight Theatre.
For all of her titles and accolades, Stef returns often to gratitude. She credits many people in Kansas City for shaping her professional path and her ability to give back. As she moves into what she calls a new season of leadership, she hopes to be for others what so many have been for her, a resource. “So much of my career was people showing me that door, and then I walked through it,” she said. “People need to be shown that door, or a seat at the table. I would be thrilled to be part of people’s journeys, because so many people invested in me. I’m really grateful for it.”
Featured in the December 20, 2025 issue of The Independent
By Monica V. Reynolds
Photo Credit: Tom Styrkowicz
