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

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  • Tom Cleves on Communicating and Using Smart Brevity

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  • Sally Pace Challenges the NEXUS Class of 2025 to Ask the Right Questions

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  • NEXUS Volunteers at Make-A-Wish

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  • Lori Evans on the Newest Episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” Podcast

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  • Mike Allen Named Kem Wilson NEXUS Leadership Award Recipient

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  • Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

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  • NEXUS IN MOTION with Mayor Young was a Success

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December 7, 2024 - December 7, 2024
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Christian Owen to Share in January

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December 3, 2024 - December 3, 2024
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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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Testimonials

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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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    “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

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