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.
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. This year NEXUS IN MOTION will take place on April 7, 2026.
NEXUS Night Out
Join us on April 30 as NEXUS hosts NEXUS Night Out. This annual event brings NEXUS alumni and current class members together for an evening of connection, conversation, and community.
NEXUS Volunteers
This year, members of the NEXUS Class of 2026 have volunteered with Neighborhood Christian Center and at the St. Jude Marathon.
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 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
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Sylvamo’s Page Boden Spoke at the February Session
“Don’t be fancy, be effective and concise.” – Page Boden It was a privilege to have Page Boden, Director of Communications for Sylvamo speak at the Class of 2026 February session. Page shared how to communicate as an effective leader and referenced the book Smart Brevity. A FEW POINTS Put Your Audience First Punch Through the Clutter Communicate Clearly + Concisely Make Every Word Count Say More with Less Read More
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Actual Intelligence: Using AI to Lead with Clarity and Courage
NEXUS Alumni and Code Crew School’s ToNaya Gulley Pye recently led a NEXUS Workshop titled Actual Intelligence: Using AI to Lead with Clarity and Courage. The information she shared will help equip our leaders through AI. Alumni are invited to join us for monthly speaker sessions and special events. Make a reservation with NEXUS. #nexusleaders #leadershipdevelopment #mentoringmatters Read More
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Upcoming Events
NEXUS Night Out to Take Place on April 30
NEXUS Alumni and members of the Class of 2026 are invited to NEXUS Night Out on April 30. NEXUS hosts this annual
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Recruitment Event for NEXUS Class of 2027
NEXUS will host a Recruitment Reception for interested proteges and mentors for the Class of 2027 on April 23; 5:30pm at
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NEXUS Workshop – Communicating + Leading With Your Enneagram Number
On March 26 NEXUS will be hosting a Workshop titled "Communicating and Leading with your Enneagram Number" led by NEXUS
Read More“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.
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On this episode of the “The NEXUS Intersection” co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt have a conversation with recent NEXUS…
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On the newest episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” DonRiley joins co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt. Don Riley is the…
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In the twentieth episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” Reggie Davis, Founder & CEO of Uplift Coaching and consulting joined co-hosts…
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