Nadege Souvenir

Nadege Souvenir is a transformative leader committed to strengthening communities, advancing equity, and driving innovation in philanthropy. Since April 2024, she has served as CEO of the San Antonio Area Foundation, stewarding more than 600 charitable funds and $1.3 billion in assets with a legacy of over $800 million in grants and scholarships awarded since 1964 to address opportunity gaps across the region. 

Recognized as a 2025 South Texas Power Player by the San Antonio Business Journal, Nadege is helping shape the region’s future through civic engagement and bold philanthropic leadership. She serves on the board of UP Partnership, a collective impact organization ensuring that all young people in Bexar County are ready for the future through data-informed strategies and community collaboration. 

Nationally, Nadege advises Catchafire and the Center for Effective Philanthropy, contributing thought leadership on nonprofit capacity building and philanthropic effectiveness. She is also a trustee of OPERA America, the national service organization for opera across North America. 

Prior to her role in San Antonio, Nadege served as Chief Operating Officer at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. There, she led operations, governance, and evaluation efforts, and co-hosted the podcast I So Appreciate You! to elevate community leaders. 

Earlier in her career, Nadege was a litigator focused on complex commercial litigation, trademark law, employment matters, and FINRA arbitration. She practiced at Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Maslon LLP, where she earned recognition as an Up & Coming Attorney and was twice named a Minnesota Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” 

Across her career, Nadege has championed collaborative leadership, data-informed strategy, and systems change - always in service of a more equitable and inclusive society.