Class Of 2006

HomeAlumnisClass Of 2006

NEXUS Class of 2006 PROTEGES and MENTORS

Full name Title Company
Levernese Anderson International Paper Account Executive
Will Anderson SouthTrust/ Wachovia Bank Assistant VP
James Ronald Armfield Memphis Athletic Ministries VP – Operations
Kirk Bailey 1st Trust Bank for Savings President
J. Austin Baker III EServ, LLC Vice President/ Owner
Sameka Ballard Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc. Director – TRUTH Seekers/Multimedia Ministries
Lynn Ballinger Morgan Keegan Fixed Income Security Trader
Dr. Neal Beckford Otolaryngology Associates of the Mid South Physician
Beau Berman First Evangelical Church College Pastor
Kenya Bradshaw Stand For Children Organizer
Corpulas Brown Mid-South Marking Systems Part time
Berkeley Burbank The Uptown Partnership Director of Operations
Preston Carpenter FTN Financial Senior Credit Officer
Jeanne Carr Team Trek Coaching Group Managing Partner
Steve Clarke First Evangelical Church Worship and Music Pastor
Pamela Z. Clary Community Capital Financial Advisor
Harold Collins Shelby County Attorney Genraral’s Office Violent Crime Outreach & Research Assistant
Jan Conder Presbyterian Day School Director of Admission
Dick Cowan Rees Memphis, Inc. President
Judge Chris Craft Shelby County Justice Center Criminal Court Judge
Susie Craft SunTrust Banks, Inc. Legal Department
Brandy Craig Smith & Nephew Orthopedics Marketing & Communications Manager
Albert Crews International Paper TELCOM Service Delivery Manager
John Reid Curlin AmSouth Bank Commercial Middle Market Relationship Manager
Andrea Dahlman International Paper Financial Analyst
Dr. Larry Dormois Pediatric Dental group Senior Partner/ Dentist
Tom Dyer Wyatt, Tarrant, Combs, LLC Managing Partner – Memphis Office
Dr. Scott Edwards Self Employed Dentist
Dr. Clayton Floriani Self Employed Dentist
Buzz Fly Patterson Warehouses, Inc Vice President
Will Frazier SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Capital Markets Vice President
Lauryce Graves Auto Zone VP Merchandising
Justin Green KPMG Senior Acountant
Frank Gusmus First Tennessee Bank Advisor
Alma Hadzidedic AutoZone Inc. Training and Development Specialist
Spencer Halford Ugly Mug Coffee Company Chief Financial Officer
Adella Heard First Tennesseee Bank, First Horizon Nat’l Corp SVP and Asistant General Counsel
Hamp Holcomb FTN Financial SVP – Strategic Financial Gorup
Tyler Jacobus Second Presbyterian Church Director Special Projects, Campus Outreach
JM Jardina HealthSouth Rehab Hospital Administrative Director of Outpatient Services
Krishna Kasi Memphis/Shelby County Office of Plan. & Dev. Senior Planner
Jennifer Knauf Lincoln Electric Technical Sales Representative
Regina Lowery University of Memphis GA – Center for Research in Educational Policy
Katie Marks University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy Assistant Professor and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Andy McArtor FedEx Pilot/ Instructor
Dr. Dan Meadows Avery Meadows, DDS Dentist
Frances Millaway National Association of Credit Management Assistant in Local Reporting
Daniel Money Memphis Athletic Ministries Site Director
Dr. Dwight Morris Dwight A. Morris Oral Surgery Surgeon
Robyn Murphy General Motors Regional Sales Manager (TN, MS, LA, AR)
Susan Nash Second Presbyterian Church Ministry Executive
Rich Neal FUNDamentals, LLC President
Mark Ottinger Ugly Mug Coffee Company CEO
Chris Owens Hyde Family Foundations Program Associate
Calvin Ozier UWT Logistics, LLC President and Owner
Ashley Pace Synaxis Group/ First Horizon National Corp. VP – Employee Benefits
Emily Patterson Memphis Arts Council Director of Grants and Business Development
Zack Perry FedEx Services Senior Technology Services
Peter Pettit Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC Member
Thomas Quinlen McNabb, Bragorgos, & Burgess, PLLC Attorney
Srinivas Ravi St. Jude ResearchHospital Senior Software Developer
Charlotte Robinson Second Presbyterian Church Outreach – Ministry Coordinator
Julian Russell New Beginnings Community Church Organizing Pastor
Bathsheba Sams International Paper Director – Human Resources/ Packaging
Karin Sarratt International Paper Human Resources Manager
Alphonso Saville Memphis Athletic Ministries Director – Grizzlies Athletic Center
Tonya St.Clair Marsh Business Development Coordinator
Deidre Thompson FedEx Express Senior Business Analyst
Nikki Tinker Northwest Airlink – Pinnacle Airlines VP – Labor Relations
Ricky Tucker Be Your Best – Rix International President
Burt Waller Christ Community Health Services, Inc. Executive Director
Harold Ware Second Presbyterian Church Chief Administrative Officer
Ruth Warren Clark and Clark CAO
Carson Weitnauer InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Campus Staff
Jameel Wesley Memphis Athletic Ministries Site Coordinator
Sharon Wheeler Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation Director of Advancement Services
Kimberly Whitcomb International Paper Global Supply Chain Business Analyst
Britton Wilkins FTN Financial SVP – Manager FTN Financial Portfolio Advisors
Roby Williams Black Business Association of Memphis President
Drew Willson Wellspring Management, LLC Associate
Sandy Willson Second Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal
Paul Wright Kirby Pines Retirement Community Administrator
Gokben Yamandag Archer Malmo Project Manager

Announcements

  • Congrats to the NEXUS Class of 2026

    Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2026! It was an honor to celebrate the Mentors and Proteges at Graduation on May 7 at International Paper. The Mentor and Protégé graduates were celebrated for their accomplishments and dedication over the past ten months. Thank you to Memphis Mayor Paul Young for sharing celebratory remarks. On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor NEXUS Mentor Levernese... Read More

  • Memorable Evening at NEXUS NIGHT OUT

    NEXUS alumni and current class members gathered at the home of NEXUS Alumni Norma and Kem Wilson for this year’s NEXUS Night Out, enjoying an evening of connection, conversation, and community. Read More

  • NEXUS IN MOTION was a SUCCESS

    The NEXUS IN MOTION session took place in April. This special event offered members of the NEXUS Network the opportunity to network, have table discussions on timely topics led by NEXUS Alumni, and to be inspired by a keynote message from David Jordan, President & CEO Agape Child & Family Services Inc. on “Dreaming as a Leader”. Special thanks to those NEXUS Alumni that returned to lead table discussions: Christy... Read More

  • AutoZone’s Rebecca Givens Rice Shares on the Power of the Question

    It was an honor to have AutoZone’s Rebecca Givens Rice as our speaker. Rebecca is the Vice President of Human Resources for AutoZone and shared on how to be an effective and compassionate leader by asking the right questions. She said, “The best leaders don’t have the best answers, they ask better questions.” And by doing this you show respect, build trust and loyalty and retain members of your team.... Read More

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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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Upcoming Events

June 30, 2026 - June 30, 2026
NEXUS Year End on June 30

Thank you for your continued leadership and support! Because of you, we provided an engaging and impactful NEXUS experience

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August 27, 2026 - August 27, 2026
NEXUS Class of 2027 Meet + Greet

NEXUS is excited to officially kick off another year of growth, connection, and impact with the newest class. Prior to

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August 29, 2026 - August 29, 2026
NEXUS Class of 2027 Orientation

We are excited to welcome the NEXUS Class of 2027 in August. The experience will begin with Orientation, a day filled with

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Partners

Testimonials

  • Sally Pace, Connect Healthcare Collaboration, NEXUS Alumni + Board Member

    “NEXUS serves such a crucial role in helping replicate leaders in our professional & civic community. Serving on the NEXUS board gives me a birds-eye view of the incredible pipeline of talent in our city that is eager to grow & lead. Pairing this pipeline with mentors who are just as eager to pour into the next generation is deeply rewarding and it’s how we ensure our community continues to move forward with purpose & strength.” Sally Pace, Connect Healthcare Collaboration, NEXUS Alumni + Board

  • Tiffany Futch, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, NEXUS Alumni + Volunteer

    “Serving on the NEXUS Program Committee was a meaningful way to give back to an organization that was instrumental in my professional journey. I truly enjoyed witnessing the growth of future leaders and working alongside dedicated professionals who share a passion for mentoring and developing the next generation.” Tiffany Futch, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, NEXUS Alumni + Volunteer

  • Gus Carter, FHN Financial, Protégé – Class of 2026

    “The NEXUS mentorship program has provided me with a unique experience in which other young individuals & myself were able to receive tailored personal and professional advice from our respective mentors. Each month we were given a fresh idea to ruminate on from a myriad of leaders around Memphis. The combination of mentorship and monthly speakers makes for a valuable program that has & will continue to impact how I move forward with my life.” Gus Carter, FHN Financial, Protégé, Class of 2026

  • Andrea Granadillo Suels, St. Jude, Protege – Class of 2026

    "I am deeply grateful for the NEXUS experience and the opportunity it gave me to build meaningful relationships that have supported my professional growth. Most meaningful to me was connecting with an incredible woman professional—also a mother, a newcomer to Memphis, and a leader in the medical field—whose journey and generosity reminded me of the power of community, mentorship, and shared experiences in shaping our paths forward." Andrea Granadillo Suels, St. Jude, Protege - Class of 2026

  • Justin Greene, Sylvamo, Protégé – Class of 2026

    “My experience with NEXUS was outstanding and exceeded my expectations. I entered the program optimistic, & throughout the year my confidence grew as I was pushed outside of my comfort zone through networking and leadership development. I learned a great deal about what true leadership looks like and how to continue growing professionally. I can confidently say I’ve grown both personally and professionally." Justin Greene, Sylvamo, Protégé, Class of 2026

  • Gayatri Jaishankar, Methodist University Hospital, Mentor – Class of 2026

    “The NEXUS program has been an incredible journey of growth & discovery for me. Having the opportunity to connect with a wide range of local leaders, engage in thought provoking conversations, & reflect on my own strengths &areas for development has been truly meaningful. One of the most rewarding parts has been supporting my Protégé & sharing my experiences along the way." Gayatri Jaishankar, Methodist University Hospital, Mentor, Class of 2026

  • Joel Jarnagin, First Horizon Bank, Protégé – Class of 2026

    “The program has been absolutely wonderful, and I cannot say enough about how great my mentor has been. My mentor pair was unexpected but an answered prayer and the most beneficial pairing for me.” Joel Jarnagin, First Horizon Bank, Protégé, Class of 2026

  • Oliver Cobb, Linden Street Capital, Protégé – Class of 2026

    "I have learned quite a bit from the program. It has broadened my skills and my network.” Oliver Cobb, Linden Street Capital, Protégé, Class of 2026

  • Coors Arthur, Hilltop Securities, Mentor – Class of 2026

    “I am very thankful for the opportunity to mentor with NEXUS. I am especially grateful to make a new friend in my proteges without NEXUS, this strong relationship would not be available.” Coors Arthur, Hilltop Securities, Mentor, Class of 2026

  • Donae Gooden, The J.M. Smucker Company, Protégé – Class of 2026

    “Participating in the NEXUS Leaders program has been one of the most impactful leadership experiences of my professional journey. For the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside a dedicated mentor who has challenged me to think more strategically, lead with intention, and strengthen both my personal and professional influence." Donae Gooden, The J.M. Smucker Company, Protégé, Class of 2026