HomeUncategorizedA Year in Review from NEXUS Director

A Year in Review from NEXUS Director

May 17, 2021 Uncategorized

A YEAR IN REVIEW 

WE DID IT!  We successfully provided an engaging and meaningful NEXUS experience for the Class of 2021 within a pandemic.

When we started recruiting and matching mentors and proteges last summer we weren’t sure what the year ahead would look like.  We were intentional and strategic in recruitment and the class size.  We took all measures to provide a safe environment with social distancing and masks.

In August, at the Orientation event I shared the following quote with this year’s class “People can adapt and change when called to do so,” by Jessica Meir, NASA Astronaut.   This year’s class participants, speakers, NEXUS Board and Program Committee members adapted to the ever-changing environment that is now our “new” normal.  NEXUS Board members and Program Committee volunteers were intentional and creative in how we delivered each monthly session.  Participants embraced the different meeting formats including in-person, live stream, and zoom depending on the current situation.  Speakers adjusted and delivered impactful messages.

 

We were honored to have many proven leaders speak this year.  NEXUS co-Founder Sandy Willson reminded the class that “Memphis’ greatest asset is You!”  In December, via zoom Cindy Brewer shared “An effective leader responds to change and has a direct impact on the team and business.”

Bobby White shared how to plan for the unplanned.  We also hosted a candid panel around the topic of Diversity and Inclusion this past fall with panelist Corbin Carpenter, Leslie Coleman, Terri Freeman, George Robertson, and Jose Velazquez. 

The popular NEXUS IN MOTION event looked a little different this year.  Rather than participants rotating through different table topics, speakers Matt Gandy, Brent Stenberg, and Cassandra Webster rotated through important, a timely, topics while sharing experiences and application.

Although many of our networking and special events were not able to happen, we were committed to hosting several workshops.  Katie West presented a series of workshops on the Enneagram and we hosted an “All Things LinkedIn” workshop with experts Gracie Leathers, Tracie Montgomery, and Kerra Saine.

The NEXUS Board of Directors recently met, we will continue to be flexible and adapt but are planning to bring NEXUS back to it’s fullest for the Class of 2022.  I am so excited to welcome the new proteges and mentors and create opportunities to bring all of the members of NEXUS Network back together again.

Again, I am proud to say WE DID IT!  Thank you to everyone who adapted and made this year a success!

In appreciation,

Heather Hunt, Director, NEXUS Leaders, Inc.

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Announcements

  • January Session with Christian Owen

    Members of the current NEXUS class began 2025 hosting Christian Owen, Founder and Publisher of RiverCity Lifestyle Magazine as the session speaker. Christian shared her insights and experiences as she spoke to the mentors and proteges on the topic of “Dreaming as a Leader”. A few things she suggested when dreaming big include- -Start with the Why? Define your dreams. Remember that your compass is your Why. -Dreams must have... Read More

  • NEXUS Winter Workshop Series Underway

    NEXUS is hosting a Winder Workshop Series focused on using the Enneagram and AI to be an effective communicator.  Session One took place on January 14 with Leadership Development Consultant Katie West on the topic of Communicating with Your Enneagram Number.  The next session will help you learn how to utilize your Enneagram number to effectively communicate and strengthen your communication both personally and professionally by accessing the world of... Read More

  • NEXUS Serves at St. Jude Marathon

    NEXUS Alumni and members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 volunteered at this year’s St. Jude Marathon. Volunteers cheered for marathon runners and served at a Hydration Station. Read More

  • Monica Wharton Shares with Class of 2025

    Monica Wharton, EVP & COO for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare spoke to members of the Class of 2025 and Alumni at the December session. Monica shared on the topic of “Ethical Decision Making” and how important it is to be a transparent and authentic leader. To learn more about the session contact NEXUS. Read More

  • 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
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Upcoming Events

February 11, 2025 - February 11, 2025
Winter Workshop Series – Part TWO Communicating with AI

NEXUS is hosting a Winder Workshop Series focused on using the Enneagram and AI to be an effective communicator.  Session

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February 4, 2025 - February 4, 2025
February Session with the Orpheum’s Brett Batterson

On February 4, President & CEO of the Orpheum Theatre Group Brett Batterson will speak to the NEXUS Class of 2025 on the

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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