• NEXUS Welcomes the Class of 2026

    NEXUS Class

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

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    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.

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    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 at Make-A-Wish

    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.

  • Monica Wharton Shares with Class of 2025

    Monthly Sessions

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

  • NEXUS Night Out at the Dixon - Celebrating 20 Years

    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.

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    Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2025!

    At the Class of 2025 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!

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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.

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Announcements

  • Leading in Our Community

    Heather Hunt, NEXUS Executive Director recently represented NEXUS as a panelist at the NBMBAA meeting along with several NEXUS Alumni. The focus was “Leading in our Community”. Special thanks to NBMBAA for the invitation. #nexusleaders #leadershipdevelopment #mentoringmatters Read More
  • Rob Carter Returned to NEXUS to discuss “Leading with AI”

    NEXUS started the new year at the January session with Rob Carter, recently retired CTO & CIO for FedEx Global. Rob and NEXUS Board member Sridhar Sunkara, founder of enaiblr had a conversation on the topic of “Leading With AI”. The conversation started with how technology has transformed. We were encouraged to embrace AI as leaders and use the tool as critical thinkers. Rob mentioned when thinking of AI, be... Read More
  • Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from NEXUS

    On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. May the new year be filled with purpose, growth, and meaningful impact. Thank you for your ongoing support for NEXUS. Read More
  • NEXUS Alumni and Judge Valerie Smith Shared at NEXUS

    At the December session, alumni and members of the Class of 2026 had the opportunity to hear Judge Valerie Smith speak. NEXUS Alumni Valerie Smith and Court of Appeals Judge for the Western Section spoke on the topic of “Ethical Leadership”. She shared her experiences and asked the class to ponder the question, “How do you want others to see you?”. Contact NEXUS to request the speaker’s audio. Read More
  • Lunch with Leaders

    Members of the NEXUS Network had the opportunity to network and be inspired by NEXUS leaders. During Lunch with Leaders Chris Coleman, Caroline Kuebler, and Bathsheba Sams shared their personal leadership journeys and the insights they’ve gained through experience. Read More
  • NEXUS Alumni Returns as November Session Speaker

    Alumni and members of the NEXUS Class of 2026 had the privilege to hear NEXUS Alumni Brooke Jones, Director for Strategy for Martin Brower return to NEXUS and speak at the November session. Brooke spoke on the topic of “Focusing as a Leader” and shared that it’s okay to give yourself permission and grace to be focused in the moment – that will set you up on the right path... Read More
  • Doug McGowan Shared with NEXUS Class of 2026

    Doug McGowan, President and CEO for MLGW spoke to the NEXUS Class of 2026 at the October session. Doug is a dynamic leader that spoke on the topic of “Planning as a Leader”. Doug’s remarks and examples provided valuable take-aways applicable to everyone. He discussed four kinds of Work/Buckets -Day to Day Work -Process Improvement -Break Through Thinking -Critical/Crisis Action Planning Plan + Metrics / Activity + Outcome / Measure... Read More
  • First NEXUS Class of 2026 Session a Success with Dr. Coopwood

    Dr. Reginald Coopwood, President & CEO for Regional One Health spoke at the first session to the NEXUS Class of 2026. Dr. Coopwood did excellent job speaking on his experiences as proven community-focused leader and a visionary. He shared a few things he believes makes an effective leader including culture is the most important thing and it starts with the top. The leader sets the expectations. NEXUS Alumni are invited... Read More
  • NEXUS Welcomes the Class of 2026

    NEXUS is excited to officially kick off another year of growth, connection, and impact with the newest class. The Class of 2026 represents the next generation of leaders who are ready to learn, serve, and make a difference in our community. We’re grateful to our mentors for sharing their wisdom and to our protégés for bringing their energy and curiosity to the table. The class recently had Orientation with the... Read More
  • Special Thanks to NEXUS Partner First Horizon Bank

    NEXUS partner First Horizon Bank recently hosted the NEXUS Class of 2026 Meet + Greet at the Ron Terry location. The event provided an opportunity for new NEXUS class members to get to know one another and set the tone for an impactful beginning to this year’s NEXUS experience. We are grateful for the partnership with First Horizon Bank and the role they play in supporting the development of emerging... Read More

Upcoming Events

February 12, 2026 - February 12, 2026
NEXUS Workshop – Actual Intelligence: Using AI to Lead with Clarity + Courage

NEXUS Alumni Audrey Willis, Chief Innovation & Programming Officer at CodeCrew will lead this NEXUS workshop on Actual

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April 7, 2026 - April 7, 2026
NEXUS IN MOTION on April 7 with David Jordan

NEXUS IN MOTION will take place on April 7 at Second Presbyterian Church at 5:30pm. This special event offers members of

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March 3, 2026 - March 3, 2026
March Session with AutoZone’s Rebecca Givens Rice

Rebecca Givens Rice, Vice President of Human Resources for AutoZone will share on March 3 with the NEXUS Class of 2026 on

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“THE NEXUS INTERSECTION” - A NEXUS Podcast

The NEXUS podcast provides a diverse approach to leadership with interviews from NEXUS Alumni and key leaders in our city about timely topics, leadership journeys, and the backbone of any good leader – their mentors. Join co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt for monthly episodes.

Nexus Voice

  • “Participating in NEXUS has been a fantastic experience! While nurturing relationships across varied professional fields, NEXUS is cultivating a network of individuals that go out into the community to lead & inspire others. The objective of building leaders through encouragement, mentorship & community service is beneficial to all participants & ultimately the city of Memphis.” - Beth Price, The Marston Group, Mentor - Class of 2025

    Beth Price, The Marston Group, Mentor – Class of 2025

  • "As one of the younger protégés in the NEXUS Class of 2025, I found the experience to be both grounding and transformative. My mentor created space for honest dialogue and offered insight rooted in years of leadership. The speaker sessions reinforced the importance of calm leadership and challenged me to see people not as problems, but as the purpose." Sam Pope, CoolRoofs, NEXUS Protege - Class of 2025

    Sam Pope, CoolRoofs, NEXUS Protege – Class of 2025

  • "As a NEXUS Alumni, I came back for one of the sessions because of my professional relationship with the speaker. It was one of the most rewarding NEXUS sessions I’ve attended! I also enjoyed a fruitful conversation with a new friend at the table and we plan to continue to connect. This is what NEXUS should look like on both ends (past/future…mentor/protégé)!" Michael Moore, International Paper, NEXUS Alumni, Class of 2024

    Michael Moore, International Paper, NEXUS Alumni, Class of 2024

  • “This was my second year as a NEXUS mentor. As before, I really enjoyed building a relationship with my protégé as well as connecting with the other mentors. I always learn something new from the monthly speakers. Even as a mentor, I see NEXUS as a huge part of my continued development as a leader.” - Travis Moody, Forward Memphis, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

    Travis Moody, Forward Memphis, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

  • “I am thankful for my time this year with my protégé, monthly meetings and engaging conversations with the entire NEXUS community. The ongoing focus on networking, leadership and encouragement is unlike any other. It is a positive representation of the Memphis community, and I am glad to be a part of it.” Sarah Farrell, Memphis Fire Department, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

    Sarah Farrell, Memphis Fire Department, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

  • “As a first-generation college graduate and professional, I was unaware and unprepared about certain aspects or situations that come along in a professional setting. I am grateful at the resources that NEXUS has given me. I now have a mentor, whom I ask for guidance or advice on how to become a better more prepared leader, professional, and every day-to-day person.” – Francisco Trujillo, The Marston Group, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

    Francisco Trujillo, The Marston Group, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025