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 2025 began 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. NIM took place in April with keynote speaker Mayor Paul Young.
NEXUS Night Out

In April, NEXUS Night Out at the Dixon - Celebrating 20 years took place as we celebrated 20 years of NEXUS. Members of the NEXUS came together to toast and reflect on the remarkable journey of NEXUS, celebrate the impact NEXUS has had on over 1200 leaders, and share the excitement for the future!
NEXUS Volunteers

Members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 recently volunteered with Make-A-Wish Mid-South. Other organizations this year's NEXUS class has chosen to volunteer with CHIPPS, Make-A-Wish, St. Jude Marathon, and Wolf River Conservancy.
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.
Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS

Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2024. NEXUS has now graduated twenty classes. Join us as we celebrate this significant milestone.

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

Tom Cleves on Communicating and Using Smart Brevity

On November 5, Tom Cleves, recently retired as SVP – Corporate Affairs for Sylvamo had a discussion with the mentors and proteges in the NEXUS Class of 2025 on the topic communicating as a Leader and using smart brevity. To learn more about this session or to request the speaker’s audio, contact NEXUS. Read More
Sally Pace Challenges the NEXUS Class of 2025 to Ask the Right Questions

At the October session, Sally Pace, CEO for Connect Healthcare Collaboration spoke to the NEXUS Class of 2025 on the topic of “Asking the Right Questions”. Sally did an amazing job and truly challenged participants to think about the importance of questions. To request the session audio contact NEXUS. Read More
NEXUS Volunteers at Make-A-Wish

Members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 recently volunteered with Make-A-Wish Mid-South. Participants volunteered and learned more about the impact Make-A-Wish is making on the children of the Mid-South! Read More
Lori Evans on the Newest Episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” Podcast

New Release – “The NEXUS Intersection” – A NEXUS Podcast In this episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt have a conversation with NEXUS Alumni Lori Evans on the topic of “Leading + Engaging our in City”. Lori is the Patient Experience & Community Engagement Manager for Regional One Health and the President of the Junior League of Memphis. At a young age, Lori learned she... Read More
Class of 2025 Kicks Off with Dr. Russ Wigginton

The first speaker session for the NEXUS Class of 2025 took place on September 10 with Dr. Russ Wigginton. Dr. Wigginton serves the National Civil Rights Museum as President and shared about his leadership journey and what makes an effective, focused leader. To request the speaker’s audio contact NEXUS. Read More
Mike Allen Named Kem Wilson NEXUS Leadership Award Recipient

On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor NEXUS Mentor Mike Allen with the Kem Wilson NEXUS Leadership Award that is awarded each year to someone that leads like Kem. This award is given at Graduation to someone who has unwavering commitment to the NEXUS program and mission and fully engaged with fellow members of the Class of 2024. Read More
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2024!! On May 2, NEXUS graduated its 20th Class and has now trained over 1200 leaders equipped and motivated to lead our city! At Graduation the Mentor and Protégé graduates were honored for their accomplishments and dedication over the past ten months. NEXUS co-Founder Sandy Willson was the keynote speaker on the topic of “Dreaming as a Leader”. Special thanks to the mentor and... Read More
NEXUS Night Out at the Dixon – Celebrating 20 Years

The NEXUS Network came together for NEXUS Night Out at the Dixon to celebrate 20 years! The special event provided an opportunity for alumni, current participants, and community partners to toast and reflect on the remarkable journey of NEXUS, celebrate the impact NEXUS has had on over 1200 leaders, and share the excitement for the future! GIVE HERE and build the foundation of NEXUS for the next 20 years and... Read More
NEXUS IN MOTION with Mayor Young was a Success

NEXUS IN MOTION is always a class favorite and paired with Memphis Mayor Paul Young as the keynote speaker the event was a success! The event offered opportunities for networking around table discussions with selected topics, and an encouraging message from Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Special thanks to NEXUS Alumni that returned to lead table discussions including Lynn Ballinger, Jessica Cowan, Charlene Cox, Lori Evans, Steve French, Billie Jo Parker,... Read More
Jason Little Delivered an Impactful Message in March

Jason Little, President and CEO for Baptist Memorial Health Care returned to NEXUS and spoke to the Class of 2024. Jason spoke on the leadership topic of “Building as a Leader”. Jason believes it is important to build a system to lead an organization, culture, career, and team. You must build a system that aligns, with your principles, and has a culture, which is a reflection of behaviors. You must believe... Read More

View All Announcements

Upcoming Events

December 7, 2024 - December 7, 2024

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