Home - Nexus Leaders | Encourage and equip the next generation of leaders for Memphis through proven mentoring, teaching, and service.

NEXUS Class

The NEXUS Class of 2026 will begin in August with Orientation, a day filled with opportunities to meet fellow participants, learn more about NEXUS, and participate in some mentor training.
NEXUS IN MOTION

NEXUS IN MOTION is a class favorite with NEXUS Alumni leading timely table discussions and a keynote message. Participants rotated through table discussions while connecting with members of the NEXUS Network.
NEXUS Night Out

In April, NEXUS alumni and current class members gathered at the home of NEXUS Alumni Norma and Kem Wilson for this year’s NEXUS Night Out, enjoying an evening of connection, conversation, and community.
NEXUS Volunteers

This year, members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 have volunteered with Make-A-Wish Mid-South, CHIPPS, and at the St. Jude Marathon. Class members have volunteered over 186 hours to date.
Monthly Sessions

Each Month NEXUS hosts Local Key Leaders to Speak to Mentors and Proteges about Leadership Topics NEXUS believes each leader must master
Donate and Impact NEXUS

NEXUS is thankful for the members of the NEXUS Network and our partners. We continue to be the vehicle for leadership development and equipping leaders for our city.
Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2025!

At Graduation, the Mentor and Protégé participants were celebrated for their accomplishments and dedication over the past ten months. Thank You Shelby County Sherriff Floyd Bonner for delivering the keynote message.

Nexus Experience!

The need to encourage and equip the next generation of community leaders in Memphis is obvious to those who know our city best. To meet this demand, our young leaders need a place where they can learn proven leadership skills in a mutually challenging environment from top-flight coaches and mentors. NEXUS provides this space!

Mentoring + Leadership

In addition to the leadership development that NEXUS provides; the key component of the NEXUS Program is the mentor/protege relationship. NEXUS knows mentoring best! NEXUS pairs mentors and protege, based on the protege needs, to go through the ten-month program together. The relationship is protege driven but both the mentor and protege learn from each other throughout the experience.

Nexus Engagement

An ongoing goal is to keep members of the NEXUS Network engage within the NEXUS Program and our city. NEXUS Alumni and current participants are key leaders within the community who want to continue to have a pulse of the needs of our city, the Memphis leadership community, and young emerging leaders of the next generation.

Announcements

2025 Kem Wilson, Jr. NEXUS Leadership Award Announced

On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor NEXUS Protege Emmanuel Amido with the 2025 Kem Wilson, Jr. NEXUS Leadership Award that is awarded each year to someone that leads like Kem. This award is given at Graduation an individual who has unwavering commitment to the NEXUS program and mission and is fully engaged with fellow members of the Class of 2025. “It’s been... Read More
Congrats to the NEXUS Class of 2025!

Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2025! It was an honor to celebrate the Mentors and Proteges at Graduation on May 6 at Theatre Memphis. The Mentor and Protégé graduates were celebrated for their accomplishments and dedication over the past ten months. Thank You Shelby County Sherriff Floyd Bonner for delivering a meaningful keynote message. Special thanks to the Board members, Program Committee members, and volunteers for their leadership and... Read More
Connecting at NEXUS Night Out

On April 29, NEXUS alumni and current class members gathered at the home of NEXUS Alumni Norma and Kem Wilson for this year’s NEXUS Night Out, enjoying an evening of connection, conversation, and community. Read More
NEXUS IN MOTION was a Success!

NEXUS IN MOTION is a favorite among the NEXUS Network and was another success this year. Special thanks to the NEXUS Alumni who led table discussions and keynote speaker Matt Gandy. This special event offers NEXUS Alumni and current participants the opportunity to network, have table discussions on timely topics, and to be inspired by a keynote message. Thanks to the table leaders: Bryan Boggs / Jeremy Calhoun / Hayley... Read More
First Horizon’s David Popwell Spoke at the March Session

David Popwell, Senior Strategic Executive for First Horizon Corporation, spoke to alumni and class members at the March session on “Building Leaders”. David is prominent leader in the financial sector of Memphis and has demonstrated long-standing leadership through his value-based approach and commitment to ethical business practices. He started the evening by asking participants to reflect on these questions: “What kind of person do you want to be?” and “What... Read More
NEXUS Winter Workshop Series was a Success

NEXUS recently hosted a Winder Workshop Series focused on using the Enneagram and AI to be an effective communicator. Special thanks to Katie West and Sridhar Sunkara for facilitating this series. NEXUS is where mentoring and leadership meet. We continue to provide opportunities for current participants and alumni to develop as leaders. To learn more about upcoming events visit www.nexusleaders.org. Read More
Brett Batterson Shared at Feb NEXUS Session

On February 4, President & CEO of the Orpheum Theatre Group Brett Batterson spoke to the members of the NEXUS Class of 2025. Brett is an empathetic leader who is all about the people. To lead through change, he shared you must pivot, be nimble, and take everyone with you. Special thanks to Begin Now, LLC. for sponsoring this session. To join us for an upcoming session, contact NEXUS to... Read More
January Session with Christian Owen

Members of the current NEXUS class began 2025 hosting Christian Owen, Founder and Publisher of RiverCity Lifestyle Magazine as the session speaker. Christian shared her insights and experiences as she spoke to the mentors and proteges on the topic of “Dreaming as a Leader”. A few things she suggested when dreaming big include- -Start with the Why? Define your dreams. Remember that your compass is your Why. -Dreams must have... Read More
NEXUS Winter Workshop Series Underway

NEXUS is hosting a Winder Workshop Series focused on using the Enneagram and AI to be an effective communicator. Session One took place on January 14 with Leadership Development Consultant Katie West on the topic of Communicating with Your Enneagram Number. The next session will help you learn how to utilize your Enneagram number to effectively communicate and strengthen your communication both personally and professionally by accessing the world of... Read More
NEXUS Serves at St. Jude Marathon

NEXUS Alumni and members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 volunteered at this year’s St. Jude Marathon. Volunteers cheered for marathon runners and served at a Hydration Station. Read More

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Upcoming Events

May 13, 2025 - May 13, 2025

NEXUS Recruitment Event on May 13

Recruitment will begin for the NEXUS Class of 2026 with a Recruitment Reception on May 13; 5:30-6:30pm at Second

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Nexus Voice

I was a protege in the very first year NEXUS was introduced. Not only did I meet a great mentor but I was exposed to the community. I have built a network for which I am always indebted to NEXUS.

Sridhar Sunkara

Past Protege / Director Information Systems / Center City Commission
NEXUS has been a great experience in meeting other professionals whose path I may not otherwise cross. It has been a wonderful way to familiarize myself with others that are focused on improving Memphis in their respective areas of focus.

Mark H. Yancy

NEXUS Protégé, Major Gifts Coordinator / Methodist Healthcare Foundation
I very much enjoyed my time in the Nexus program. While I would have thought the Protege would have gotten more out of the program, I'm not so sure now. I got so much out of my relationship with my protege and the meeting/speakers were very well planned and extremely interesting. Mike Pera, NEXUS Class of 2013

Mike Pera, NEXUS Mentor, Retired, Marsh
My NEXUS experience has far exceeded all expectations. Our class been extremely fortunate to have incredible speakers who all have a passion for this city. Beyond that, my NEXUS mentor had been amazing. The NEXUS leaders did a fantastic job in pairing us together. We have developed a strong bond and a real friendship that I know will continue well into the future. Neely Mallory, NEXUS Protégé, Associate, Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Advisors

Neely Mallory, Class of 2014
NEXUS is an amazing opportunity! It allows you to build a meaningful relationship with your protégé and help their continued growth, give back to the community, hear insightful speakers, and network with others in the area you may have never met. I went into this experience excited about being a mentor and playing a role in another’s development. However, NEXUS has also provided me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader.

Dana Armstrong, NEXUS Class of 2014
I heard someone say, “Inspiration without Instruction is Useless”. NEXUS has given me inspiration. INSPIRATION through the leaders that have come every month to share their wisdom. INSTRUCTION, by giving me the best mentor a person can have. Rodney A. Johnson, NEXUS Protege, Family Advocate Counselor, University of Tennessee AND Director of Love Builder/ Neighborhood Christian Center, Inc.

Rodney Johnson, NEXUS Class of 2014