CIVILITY
DIALOGUES
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Common Ground. Strong Culture. Community Trust.
Great communities don’t happen by accident—they’re built by culture, standards, and trust. Moderated by Dr. Greg Robinson, this rare roundtable brings together national, state, and local voices—including former Iowa Governor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, author Alexandra Hudson, Councilmember Patricia Boddy, and Mayor Robert Andeweg—for a candid conversation on how leaders set tone, navigate conflict, and keep people moving forward together.
Our City.
Our Community.
Our Nation.
Civic life is under pressure everywhere—locally, regionally, nationally. The question isn’t whether we’ll disagree; it’s whether we can disagree without contempt, stay in good faith, and still make progress on the things that matter. That’s what this evening is designed to explore—through a rare roundtable conversation that brings together voices with real experience navigating hard issues and building coalitions.
Meet the Panel
Tom Vilsack
Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation • Former Governor of Iowa • Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack brings decades of coalition-building experience from Iowa and national leadership—what it takes to navigate disagreement, keep institutions functional, and still deliver results. He currently serves as CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation and previously served as Governor of Iowa and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
Patricia Boddy
Councilmember, City of Urbandale • Licensed Professional Engineer • Former Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Natural Resources • 2026 Sages Over 70 Honoree
Councilmember Patricia “Pat” Boddy brings an engineer’s clarity and a public servant’s commitment to community problem-solving. Her work across engineering, conservation, planning, and civic leadership has shaped how she approaches difficult conversations: with integrity, honesty, and a focus on positive impact.
Robert Andeweg
Mayor, City of Urbandale • Real Estate Attorney, Nyemaster Goode • 2026 A. Arthur Davis Community Leadership Award Recipient
Mayor Andeweg leads Urbandale with a steady focus on practical governance, community trust, and a civic tone that keeps progress possible—even in disagreement. His service spans local and regional leadership, including work with the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau, BRAVO Greater Des Moines, and the Des Moines Area MPO, giving him a metro-wide perspective on growth, collaboration, and cohesion.
Alexandra Hudson
Author of The Soul of Civility • Founder, Civic Renaissance
Alexandra Hudson argues that civility isn’t performative niceness—it’s the set of habits that make public life possible across difference. As the author of The Soul of Civility and founder of Civic Renaissance, she brings a modern, practical framework for rebuilding trust and good faith in communities.
Dr. Greg Robinson
Moderator • Former Superintendent, Urbandale Community School District
Dr. Greg Robinson brings decades of experience in education, leadership, school culture, and community engagement to the role of moderator. A former Superintendent of the Urbandale Community School District and former clinical professor at Iowa State University, he has spent his career helping people navigate change, build trust, and create environments where people can learn, lead, and work together.
