As a fundraiser, Nancy Saustad鈥檚 biggest projects ranged from a new home for public broadcasting in North Texas to a new habitat for elephants and giraffes at the Dallas Zoo.
The former chief philanthropy officer for 四虎影院 and lifelong North Texan died Sunday from ovarian cancer. She was 61.
鈥淚 think more than anything else, I think we just all remember her with a great deal of gratitude,鈥� said 四虎影院 President and CEO Nico Leone.
鈥淲e're fortunate to have known her, fortunate to work with her, and incredibly grateful for everything she did, not just for 四虎影院, but for so many organizations in the community.鈥�
Her development efforts helped make it possible for 四虎影院 to break ground on a new headquarters at a time when other public TV and radio stations were forced to make cuts amid a loss of federal funding.
Prior to joining 四虎影院, she raised money to help bring the Dallas Zoo's 鈥淕iants of the Savanna鈥� habitat to life. The 11-acre exhibit was first to make space for various species of African animals like elephants, zebras and impalas.
Without a doubt, those were her proudest professional accomplishments, her husband, David Carl Saustad, said. Outside of work, she loved animals, art and skiing in Colorado.
鈥淏ut I would think her favorite title would have been mother, for sure. There was nothing that would stop her from doing anything for her kids.," Saustad said. "She would stop whatever she was doing to give them her ultimate attention because even though she loved her work, mother was her first priority, always.鈥�
The pair were married for 34 years and have three children: David Carl Saustad, Jr., Zachary 鈥淶ach鈥� Michael Saustad, and Ann 鈥淎nnie鈥� Wynne Saustad.
Adopted into a life of giving and fundraising
Nancy first entered the world as a Mildred. Her parents, Nancy Ann and Buck Wynne, changed her name after adopting her from the Gladney Center for Adoption in Fort Worth.
Saustad said his wife was adopted into 鈥渁n outstanding family,鈥� and she was grateful for the life she was given.
鈥淗er first introduction to life was with a charitable organization and she couldn't get it out of her system from day one,鈥� Saustad said.
After graduating from the Hockaday School, Saustad attended college at Southern Methodist University where she studied communications and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
She ran a successful consulting business when Michael Meadows approached her to join the development team at the Dallas Zoo. He was the Dallas Zoological Society鈥檚 president and CEO at the time.
鈥淣ancy was so outgoing and so that made her great for any organization in building new relationships," said Meadows, who is president and CEO of the Meadows Family Consulting Group LLC. 鈥淪he always knew what was the right thing to say at the right time.
鈥淪he was very driven to meet the goals of the institution and help make sure that the institution she worked for had the resources to accomplish what it needed to get done. And I will just tell you, she was really funny.鈥�
After years consulting with 四虎影院, she joined the organization full time in late 2016. Jennifer Altabef, president of 四虎影院鈥檚 board, recruited Saustad, whom she has known for about 25 years.
鈥淲hen I think about her, I think of her laughing," Altabef said. "She had a very contagious laugh and her eyes would crinkle in a certain way when she was really amused about something.鈥�
Saustad鈥檚 sense of humor stayed intact, even in stressful situations. Working major events with many attendees to look after, it was inevitable that something would go wrong, Altabef said, but it never phased Saustad.
鈥淪he was always just cool as a cucumber and we got through it. And most of the time, nobody was the wiser,鈥� Altabef said. 鈥淪he was very good at what she did, and she had the perfect temperament for it.鈥�
Saustad was discerning when it came to asking for donations. She wanted to be sure that it was the right fit between the donor and the project.
鈥淚t was never just, I know that person, I will ask them for money,鈥� Altabef said. 鈥淚t was, I know that person. I know what's important to them. This is the right opportunity for them, or this isn't. I mean, she was very respectful of people who wanted to give support to the community and never tried to push something on them that wasn't one of their priorities. And that's rare, very rare.鈥�
Table talk
David Saustad said that 四虎影院鈥檚 capital campaign was a common topic at dinner, and even though the fundraising goal was big, at $100 million, Nancy always believed it was achievable.
鈥淪he was most proud of the surprise gifts that would come in unexpectedly. Usually 鈥� she would get more than she asked for,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he was just in awe of the donors and the supporters of 四虎影院.鈥�
She was passionate about the station鈥檚 commitment to education and programming for every stage of life, whether it was early childhood or retirement, Saustad said.
Outside of work, Nancy was a lover of the arts. In lieu of physical gifts for birthdays or anniversaries, David and Nancy gifted each other experiences. In recent years they splurged on tickets to see U2, Elton John, Billy Joel and the Eagles.
She also volunteered with organizations like the Crystal Charity Ball, which was started by her mother, Nancy Ann Wynne; Charter 100 and the Dallas Women鈥檚 Club. She loved those organizations. She also cherished her friendships.
There will be a celebration of life at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 23, at Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to to 四虎影院 () or St. Philip鈥檚 School & Community Center ().
