NINA WATERS
PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, which Waters has led for 19 years, is Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation. The foundation helps donors invest philanthropic gifts, helps non-profits serve the region and “helps people come together to make the community a better place,” Waters says. Now in its 56th year, the foundation has assets of $480 million.
| EDUCATION | Jacksonville University (BA) |
| PHILANTHROPIC PASSION | In addition to its status as a robust hub for philanthropy in the community (more than 570 funds are housed here), the Community Foundation has a reputation for civic leadership that places it ‘at the table’ for nearly every important community topic. |
| SOMETHING SURPRISING | I worked in a minimum-security prison for two years while a student at Jacksonville University. |
| FLORIDA ISSUE | The lack of affordable housing |
| ALTERNATE CAREER? | I wanted to be a marine biologist. Instead of becoming one, I married one. |