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

NEXUS Class

This August, we welcomed the twentieth NEXUS Class with an Orientation. The Class of 2024 kicked off their NEXUS experience with a day filled with opportunities to meet fellow participants, learn more about NEXUS, and training.
NEXUS IN MOTION

This past spring NEXUS IN MOTION took place with a keynote message from Dr. Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum and NEXUS Alumni leading timely table discussions. Participants rotated through table discussions while connecting with members of the NEXUS Network.
NEXUS Night Out

Members of the NEXUS Network attended the annual NEXUS NIGHT OUT event this spring at the home of NEXUS Alumni Norma and Kem Wilson. The event offers the opportunity to connect and re-connect with fellow members of the NEXUS Network.
NEXUS Volunteers

Each year, the NEXUS Class volunteers in the community. Members of the NEXUS Class of 2023 volunteered with the Mid-South Food Bank, Streets Ministries, and the Joy Prom this year.
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, Class of 2023, and our partners. We continue to provide an engaging experience with now over 1100 graduates equipped to lead our city! Please impact NEXUS with your support and make a donation.
Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2024

In May, we honored the NEXUS Class of 2023 at Graduation. Special thanks to the mentor and protégé participants for their dedication; Board members and volunteers for their leadership; and our corporate partners for continuing to fuel our mission! Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!

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

The NEXUS Intersection Podcast with co-Founder Sandy Willson

New Release – “The NEXUS Intersection” – A NEXUS Podcast Co-founder of NEXUS Sandy Willson sat down with Heather Hunt and Ephie Johnson to talk about the vision he had for NEXUS and 20 years later why mentoring matters. Listen to the newest episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” titled “The NEXUS Vision & Why Mentoring”. Sandy shares about why NEXUS was founded and the purpose we continue to fulfill for... Read More
November Session with Memphis Grizzlies Jason Wexler

The NEXUS Class of 2024 hosted Jason Wexler, President for the Memphis Grizzlies at the November Session. Jason shared on the topic of “Motivating as a Leader” and how he personally is motivated and how he motivates his team. Read More
Mike Allen Shares on NEXUS Podcast – Episode 5

In the newest episode of the NEXUS podcast, “The NEXUS Intersection” co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt have a conversation with Mike Allen, Executive Director of the Memphis Botanic Garden and NEXUS Mentor. Mike shares the things he has learned through his three different acts as a corporate employee, entrepreneur, and a non-profit leader – all end with the same theme “Mike Gives Back”. To listen click HERE. Read More
Tom Cleves Returned to NEXUS

Tom Cleves, SVP – Corporate Affairs for Sylvamo returned to NEXUS in October. Tom shared the importance of “Focusing as a Leader” with the Class of 2024. He challenged everyone to ask themselves “What’s the one most important thing today?”. Figure out what matters and give it your undivided attention. To request the speaker’s audio email heather@nexusleaders.org. Read More
The NEXUS Intersection Podcast – Episode Four Released

Ignacio Vincentelli is the guest on the newly released NEXUS Podcast and talks about “Building Your Personal Team”. He shares the decisions he has made and how he has utilized “his team” along the way and why it’s so important to live in the present. Ignacio is Senior Counsel for International Paper and a NEXUS Alumni and Board member. LISTEN HERE. Read More
Sylvia Martinex Kicked Off Sessions for Class of 2024

The first speaker session for the NEXUS Class of 2024 took place on September 7 with Sylvia Martinez. Sylvia is the newly announced CEO for Girls, Inc. Sylvia shared about her journey as a leader and the things she has learned along the way focused on the leadership topic of “Planning”. Read More
NEXUS Podcast – Episode Three Released

A NEXUS Podcast – THE NEXUS INTERSECTION The third episode of the NEXUS Podcast with co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt. A conversation with NEXUS Alumni and Program Committee volunteer William Franklin. William shares the tough conversations he had with himself and mentors as he “Transition Careers” from a safe, corporate position to being employee number four with a startup company. William is currently the Vice President for Path... Read More
NEW Podcast Release

“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. Check out the second episode with co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt and the meaningful conversation with NEXUS Alumni Cami Fields. Cami is Manager of Strategic Marketing... Read More
NEXUS Launches Podcast “The NEXUS Intersection”

This podcast will provide 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. We created this podcast titled “The NEXUS Intersection”, to provide our listeners with a diverse approach to leadership by interviewing NEXUS alumni and other key leaders in our community. In each episode, our co-hosts Ephie... Read More
Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!

Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!! NEXUS successfully provided an engaging and meaningful NEXUS experience this year. NEXUS recently celebrated the Class of 2023 with NEXUS Graduation. This special event was hosted at the office of Kemmons Wilson Companies with Kayla Rodriguez Graff as the keynote speaker. On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor Kem Wilson, jr. and announce the Kem Wilson... Read More

View All Announcements

Upcoming Events

January 4, 2024 - January 4, 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

NEXUS Protege/Mentor-Jill & Hayley

Mentor-Jill & Hayley
NEXUS protege Amy Strickland talks about her experience in the class of 2019.

Amy Strickland
Bethany McRae, NEXUS protege talks about her experience.

Bethany McRae
Sandy Willson

Sandy Willson