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A Year In Review

April 21, 2017 About Us

This year, I have no doubt a difference has been made. I have had the privilege to see the NEXUS Protégés develop both personally and professionally and achieve goals set at the beginning of their NEXUS experience. The NEXUS Mentors have learned from the Protégés and everyone has learned from the dynamic speakers that included, Bill Rhodes, AutoZone CEO, Dr. Todd Richardson, Co Leader of the Crosstown Development Project, Duncan Williams, President Duncan-Williams, Inc., Larry Jensen, Commercial Advisors President & CEO, Nancy Coe, Co-Founder of Dominion Partners and many other significant leaders within our city.

The NEXUS Class of 2015 also made a difference to others by volunteering their time to help put together over 10,000 Christmas baskets for the Neighborhood Christian Center, coached basketball for the students at Memphis Grizzlies Prep at their annual faculty/student game, and helped build a fence at For The Kingdom Camp.

The NEXUS Network is more connected than ever before, this year over twenty-five events took place and create opportunities for current participants and alumni to connect and network. Events included our annual NEXUS Night Out in the fall graciously hosted by Sally and Ashley Pace and our successful Lunch Series presented by The Marston Group, Inc. that we hosted for a second straight year, NEXUS Alumni JoeAnn Ballard, Larry Papasan, and Sridhar Sunkara were featured at these lunch events. And in February, Barrett Jones spoke at our Annual Leadership Luncheon, this event provided opportunities for community leaders, NEXUS alumni and current participants to learn more about the impact mentoring can have on an individual and our city. Barrett shared a quote that impacted me and others at the luncheon, “Let Your Ceiling be the Next Generations Floor”, the Memphis Mentoring Award recipients honored at the luncheon are true examples of that quote.

By reading this I hope you can join me in stating that a difference has been made through NEXUS this year. The NEXUS Network will continue to make a difference because they care about each other and our great city. As we begin recruitment, I look forward to adding to the NEXUS Network with the NEXUS Class of 2016 and making an even bigger difference!

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Announcements

  • NEXUS Volunteers with AKA on CHIPPS Project

    Members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 volunteered with the AKA Sorority and their CHIPPS program. Together over 400 food bags were packed to distribute to students in the Mid-South to take home for the weekend.  Read More

  • 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
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Upcoming Events

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December 7, 2024 - December 7, 2024
NEXUS + St. Jude Marathon

Alumni and members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 will cheer for marathon runners at the St. Jude Marathon on December 7. 

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January 7, 2025 - January 7, 2025
Christian Owen to Share in January

Members of the current NEXUS class will begin 2025 with Christian Owen, Founder and Publisher of RiverCity Lifestyle

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December 3, 2024 - December 3, 2024
December Session with Monica Wharton

On December 3, Monica Wharton, EVP and COO for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare will speak to the NEXUS Class of 2025 on the

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Partners

Testimonials

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Ephie Ballard Johnson

    “I was honored to participate in the inaugural year of NEXUS, 20 years later I’m honored to still be involved in NEXUS as a mentor, past speaker, and Board member. Just five years after being a protégé I became President & CEO of NCC, because of NEXUS I appreciate and see the importance of servant leadership.” Ephie Ballard Johnson, President & CEO of Neighborhood Christian Centers

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Billie Jo Parker

    “The greatest benefit from participating in NEXUS are the connections you make. I am grateful for the personal and professional network of colleagues and friends I have encountered because of NEXUS.” Bill Jo Parker, SVP Pinnacle Bank and NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Douglas Skipworth

    “NEXUS is unique because it trains people's minds, hearts, and hands. I love NEXUS because it does both of those while also adding a higher purpose component to its program. In my experience, that's very rare. Thanks to NEXUS, the proteges who graduate each year are not only skilled and ambitious, but they are also compassionate leaders who are making a meaningful difference in Memphis!” Douglas Skipworth, Principal Broker, CrestCoreRealty, LLC and NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Amy Beth Dudley

    “NEXUS has been an important part of my professional life for over a decade. Starting as a protégé, moving to the mentor role, and now serving on the NEXUS Board of Directors. I have had the opportunity to see the impact of mentoring and that has been tremendous.” Amy Beth Dudley, Director of Donor Services, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis + NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Cameron Mann

    “The greatest part about NEXUS is the diversity of relationships made that last a lifetime, particularly multi-generational relationships.” Cameron Mann, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Methodist Healthcare + NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Amy Simpson

    “NEXUS provides the opportunity to learn from others who love Memphis and want to make a difference!” – Amy Simpson, Corporate Communications, International Paper + NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Lewis Williamson

    “The NEXUS program offers an opportunity for a young person to gain some of the knowledge and experience of their mentors. I was a rather young mentor at the time of my initial experience. Today I am older with hopefully more experience to share. NEXUS offers me another network – especially with a younger group and I have made many new friends and hopefully provided beneficial help to those in the next generation.” -Lewis Wiliamson, HTS Commo

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Caroline Kuebler

    “I’d say NEXUS is unique due to the opportunity to learn from and interact with local leadership in the small group monthly meetings. Of course, the relationships built between mentors and proteges is one of my favorite things.” - Caroline Kuebler, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis + NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Sally Pace

    “I came to NEXUS at a time where I desperately wanted a mentor from my industry who understood some of the challenges and opportunities I would be facing as I grew my career. I found that and so much more in the program, and the curriculum and discussions helped frame the path I would take over the coming years as I moved through various levels of management. - Sally Pace, Connect Healthcare Collaboration + NEXUS Alumni

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Andrew Mok

    “As a NEXUS graduate, I have benefitted from the program through the guidance and support from my mentor at such an early stage of my professional career. I feel more confident in making informed decisions and navigating challenges. The program assisted in the development of my leadership skills including communication, problem solving, and emotional intelligence." - Andrew Mok, AutoZone + NEXUS Alumni