Meet Nadege Souvenir: Leading San Antonio’s Area Foundation at its precipice of potential

Meet Nadege Souvenir: Leading San Antonio’s Area Foundation at its ‘precipice of potential’

San Antonio, Texas – After a ten-month nationwide search process, the San Antonio Area Foundation has named Nadege Souvenir as its new head. She took the helm of the organization in April. Born and raised in Chicago, Souvenir is a former corporate attorney who is passionate about ensuring equity in all aspects of community life.

Equity at the Heart of the Foundation’s Mission

In her new role, Souvenir has expressed a fervent desire to lead the Foundation with a vision of equity. She has noted that one of the biggest issues facing the community is helping those who need it most. She is passionate about infusing equity across all the work the Area Foundation does. She noted her commitment to finding ways to ensure that individual life circumstances do not determine future outcomes.

Statistics reveal that life expectancy, education attainment, and incomes on the North Side of San Antonio are higher on average than those in downtown and the South, East, and West sides of town, where fewer people of color live. The city’s 2024 Status of Poverty report based on U.S. Census Bureau data also reveals that roughly 20% of the Hispanic or Latino population lives at or below the federal poverty line, compared to 10% of white residents, further instating that poverty affects more women than men.

An Opportunity for Change

Souvenir previously served for eight years at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, including two years as its COO, before taking on the position at the San Antonio Area Foundation. She reflected on the move, saying that she believes deeply in the power of community foundations to be a catalyst for change and leadership within a community.

Nadege Souvenir stands as the the first Black woman to head the San Antonio Area Foundation, Texas’ first Community Foundation, one of the largest in the US with assets totaling $1.3 billion. It manages over 600 charitable funds and has awarded an estimated $800 million in grants and scholarships since it was founded.

Using a Background in Law

Her degrees in Communications and Liberal Studies with an emphasis in dance from Iowa State University, along with her jurisprudence background, serve her well in her new position. She notes that she uses her legal skills more than she had anticipated, helping in the interpretation of fund agreements and ensuring they meet the desired legacy going forward for the donors.

A Catalyst for Future Change

Upon her appointment, Souvenir pointed out that Texas, especially at the state level, has been turning away from diversity, equity, and inclusion. She passionately believes that equity is not about privileging one person over another, but about giving everyone access to opportunities, so they can chart their own course.

As she settles into her new role, Souvenir and the Area Foundation are in the midst of a five-year strategic plan. Although she is in no rush to abandon this without fully understanding it, she is keen to uncover opportunities and possible adjustments where beneficial for their goals. The present moment of change and opportunity serves as an exciting transitionary period, to redefine what the Area Foundation can be in and for San Antonio.

The foundation is also actively involved in partner projects such as the Future Ready Bexar County plan aiming to increase post-secondary enrollment of high school graduates to 70% by 2030, and is embracing technology to enable more community-focused work.