Nadege Souvenir

CEO, San Antonio Area Foundation

Nadege Souvenir is the CEO of the San Antonio Area Foundation, a community foundation managing over 600 charitable funds with assets totaling $1.3 billion. Since its establishment in 1964, the foundation has awarded more than $800 million in scholarships and grants to close opportunity gaps for those who need it most in San Antonio.

Before joining the San Antonio Area Foundation, Nadege was the Chief Operating Officer at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota’s largest community foundation, with $1.7 billion in assets. In this role, she was responsible for refining, designing, and integrating cross-team systems and processes. Her oversight included grants administration, facilities, human resources, operations, learning and evaluation, partnerships, and board governance. Additionally, Nadege co-hosted the foundation’s podcast, I So Appreciate You!, launched the East Metro Pulse survey, and facilitated Countering Hate, an annual convening of philanthropic leaders addressing societal issues.

Nadege's extensive philanthropic leadership includes serving as a trustee for the Blandin Foundation, an advisory board member for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, and a member of Wilder Research’s governance committee. In 2023, Nadege was recognized by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a “Women in Business” honoree and by Twin Cities Business as a notable BIPOC Executive and “Black Leader to Know.” She frequently speaks and writes on equity in the workplace, governance, and leadership.

Before her work in philanthropy, Nadege was a litigator specializing in complex commercial litigation, trademark disputes, employment law, and FINRA arbitration. She practiced at Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Maslon LLP, where she was recognized with the Up & Coming Attorney award and twice named a Minnesota Super Lawyers “Rising Star.”

Nadege's career began in arts administration, where she served as the Foundation and Government Grants Officer at The Children’s Theatre Company. She also coordinated the Twin Cities' involvement in the Performing Arts Research Coalition, a nationwide initiative to improve data collection methods for performing arts organizations.

Nadege remains deeply connected to the performing arts through her community leadership. She was the first Black woman to chair the Minnesota Opera Board and, in 2023, she received the National Opera Trustee Recognition Award for her exemplary leadership and service. She is a member of the OPERA America board, co-chairing the Trustee Council, and was the founding board chair of Trademark Theater. Additionally, she has served on boards and committees for the Arts Partnership, Guthrie Theater, and Walker Art Center.

Throughout her multifaceted career, Nadege has demonstrated a commitment to equity, community development, and the arts, making significant contributions to each sector she has been involved in.

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