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I So Appreciate You! is an honest, raw, funny and uniquely insightful account of two leaders sharing behind-the-scenes work conversations on both office and cultural topics.

ISAY podcast co-hosts Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert outside

Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert

This isn’t just office talk.

In Season 3 of I So Appreciate You!, co-hosts, colleagues and friends Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert continue the show’s sometimes raw, sometimes funny and always uniquely insightful discussions as they dig into myriad issues and opportunities faced by values-based organizations and leaders during this time.

Get inspired by guests from a variety of backgrounds and sectors as I So Appreciate You! explores the challenges and triumphs of people shaking up our community and industries for the better — discussing how these leaders got to where they are today and how they continue to move us forward.

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Find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more by clicking the RSS icon below.

Season 3 Episodes and Show Notes

In Season 3, co-hosts Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert have uniquely insightful conversations highlighting the challenges and triumphs of people shaking up our community for the better. Listen to each episode and get to know our special guests.

View Season 3 Episode 1

Season 3 Episode 1 - Cultivating New Food Entrepreneurs

Listen to Season 3, Episode 1 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to special guest Allison Hohn about Minnesota’s food industry.

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View Season 3 Episode 2

Season 3 Episode 2 - Investing in Diversity

Listen to I So Appreciate You!, as we speak with special guest Shannon O’Leary about the lack of diversity, equity and inclusion in the investments industry and what she’s doing to change it.

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View Season 3 Episode 3

Season 3 Episode 3 -Why Allyship Isn’t Enough

Listen to Season 3, Episode 3 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to special guest Seena Hodges about going beyond allyship.

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View Season 3 Episode 4

Season 3 Episode 4 - For Community, By Community

Listen to Season 3, Episode 4 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to special guest Andrea Yoch about how Aurora FC is paving the way for inclusivity in sports.

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View Season 3 Episode 5

Season 3 Episode 5 - Designing the Fabric of Community

Listen to Season 3, Episode 5 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to special guest, Rammy Mohamed, about how her fashion brand bridges her communities together.

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View Season 3 Episode 6

Season 3 Episode 6 - Liminal Space: Balancing Your Succession Plan

Listen to Season 3, Episode 6 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to two special guests, Carmen Giménez and Ruby Oluoch, about the dos and don’ts of succession planning.

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View Season 3 Episode 7

Season 3 Episode 7 – Building Connections in Rural Communities

Listen to Season 3, Episode 7 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to Bethany Lacktorin about the opportunities and challenges of managing an arts organization in a rural town.

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View Season 3 Episode 8

Season 3 Episode 8 – The Value of Authenticity

Listen to Season 3, Episode 8 of I So Appreciate You!, as we talk to Sheletta Brundidge about why showing up as your authentic self matters.

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View Season 3 Episode 9

Season 3 Episode 9 – And That's a Wrap!

Listen to Season 3, Episode 8 of I So Appreciate You!, as Melanie and Nadege wrap and reflect on this season.

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About Our Co-Hosts

Nadege Souvenir
Nadege Souvenir

Nadege (she/her) served as Chief Operating Officer of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation until April 2024. In addition to her organizational leadership, she oversaw key operational functions – human resources, facilities, grants administration, learning and evaluation. She has a background in law, arts administration and dance. Nadege maintains her ties to the performing arts through her community leadership. She is the first Black woman (and person of color) to Chair the Minnesota Opera Board of Directors. 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.

Melanie Hoffert
Melanie Hoffert

Melanie Hoffert (she/her) serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. She grew up in rural North Dakota and lives in Minneapolis. Melanie is an accomplished writer with myriad published works, including her memoir, Prairie Silence, which won a 2014 Minnesota Book Award. She is also a founding board member of All Square and serves on the board of Raise the Barr. Outside of work Melanie spends as much time as she can near Minnesota’s banks and shores, collecting stories for her next book centered on themes of water.

Instagram: @melaniemaxine11

See More about Melanie

Listen to Past Seasons

Season 1
Season 1

In Season 1, co-hosts Nadege Souvenir and Pahoua Yang Hoffman interviewed incredible guests as they explored issues and opportunities faced by values-based organizations and leaders. They covered balancing work and caregiving, valuing age, cultivating your career path, building inclusive workplaces and more.

View Season 1 Show Notes
Season 2
Season 2

In Season 2, co-hosts Nadege Souvenir and Melanie Hoffert hosted uniquely insightful conversations highlighting the challenges and triumphs of people shaking up our community for the better. Topics included intentional leadership transitions, the genius of Black-led change and healing the harms of cultural appropriation.

View Season 2 Show Notes

About the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation


The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation believes in the best of Minnesota and the power of its communities.

With roots in Saint Paul and partners across the state, it is Minnesota’s largest community foundation and the partner of choice for thousands of donors, nonprofits and community organizations.

The Foundation aspires to create an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all communities and people thrive by inspiring generosity, advocating for equity and investing in community-led solutions.

Let’s Stay Connected

Sign up for the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation newsletter to get involved with your community, read stories of nonprofits doing great work, and get tips and tricks on maximizing your impact on your favorite causes.

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