Growing up in Petersburg, Iowa, Deb Siegworth recalled that looking out for your fellow neighbor was something engrained in the culture of small town living.
“It was just what you did,” she said. “It was a part of the whole thought process. You were taught to look out for others.”
That early nugget of wisdom has served Siegworth well, both in her career and in her involvement in the community throughout the years.
Now 69, retired and living in St. Catherine in rural Dubuque County, Siegworth served in multiple roles in the banking industry for 35 years, including as the vice president of banking at Dubuque Bank & Trust for 15 years, as well as vice president of mortgage lending and branch manager.
At Dubuque Bank & Trust, Siegworth also was instrumental in organizing the Women Connect program, which later expanded to include relationships with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque’s Women’s Giving Circle, of which Siegworth was a founding member.
Women’s Giving Circle focuses on making a difference in the lives of women in Dubuque and the surrounding communities.
Siegworth also has collaborated with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce and the Dubuque Women’s Leadership Network.
“Working in banking enabled me to meet a lot of new people, including people who were new to the community and welcoming them to Dubuque,” Siegworth said. “And in particular, working with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the Women’s Giving Circle, connection is what it’s all about — and not just for professional women, but for women of all walks of life.”
Siegworth also has been an active board member of the Dubuque Community Y since 2010. Currently, she serves as a volunteer on its executive committee, along with acting as the organization’s capital campaign co-chair.
The motto Siegworth developed for the campaign is close to her heart and one she applies to each of her voluntary efforts: “Be the change you want to see.”
“I’m a big believer in looking forward, never looking back,” she said. “I’m always looking toward those things that I want to do and that I want to be a part of.”
That most recently brought Siegworth to the Northeast Iowa Council of Scouting America, for which she has served on its executive committee since 2015.
It was an unexpected call that came in 2010 from the council — then known as the Boy Scouts of America — asking to meet with Siegworth about the organization’s programming.
“My first response was, ‘Why me?’” Siegworth said. “I had two daughters and no prior involvement with the Scouting program.”
However, the council had singled her out due to her strong history of involvement with other organizations within the community.
After beginning her role as a district chairperson, Siegworth advanced through the ranks of the council, which serves six counties in Iowa and Illinois.
From 2018 to 2020, Siegworth served as the first female council president, and during that time, Scouting America opened its Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA programs to girls.
Siegworth currently is serving in her second term as president.
“It has been fun and rewarding to see the lifelong impacts on young lives,” she said. “We’re building tomorrow’s leaders.”
Scout Executive/CEO Carl Bobis described Siegworth in a 2025 Telegraph Herald article as “humble and bold” and someone willing to share the spotlight, while also advocating for a variety of causes.
She is well-known and respected in the tri-state area, he continued, which makes her a powerful “connector” when she volunteers for organizations like Scouting America.
“She’s a great collaborator who doesn’t have any ego,” Bobis said. “She wants everybody to come to the table so we can come to a decision that really respects everybody’s perspectives.”
Longtime friend Peggy Nesler also described Siegworth as someone with a “deep commitment to improving the lives of others.”
“One of the most remarkable aspects of Deb is her ability to inspire those around her,” Nesler said. “She leads with compassion, listens with empathy and acts with purpose. Her contributions have not only made a tangible difference, but also motivated others to get involved and give back. Deb doesn’t seek the spotlight, yet her impact shines brightly. Her character, work ethic and positive influence make her not just a role model, but a force for good in our community.”
When not busying herself through her involvement in the community, Siegworth enjoys spending time with family — her husband Steve, her two adult daughters and her three grandchildren.
“I have a daughter who lives in Canada, so we like to travel a lot, visiting her, or traveling with friends to Arizona,” Siegworth said. “I also enjoy golfing and biking.”
Although retired, Siegworth said she might be busier than she has ever been — but in a good way.
“What makes a community is taking advantage of the opportunity to be a part of it,” she said. “And if you have the opportunity to give back and help create a better place for the people in it and for the next generation, it’s one of the most important things you can do.”
Megan Gloss writes for the Telegraph Herald.
