Class Of 2009

NEXUS Class of 2009 PROTEGES

Full Name Business Title
Stephen Anderson Dillard Door & Entrance Control Service Tech
Steve Anderson Chartwell Financial Group Financial Representative
Stephanie Aldrich TruGreen Customer Retention Manger
Dion Barry Memphis Athletic Ministries Director
Ashley Belew Bottletree Design Group Architectural Intern
Cory Brown Univeristy of Memphis-College of Law Student  
Harry Cash MIFA Youth/Teen Coordinator
Shaun Ching FedEx Senior Marketing Specialist
Frank Crump FTN Financial Vice President/Structured Finance
Kyle Drummer Lincoln Electric Technical Sales Representative
Cami Chando Fields Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center Marketing Coordinator
Christopher Ham Germantown Presbyterian Church Associate Pastor
Jae Henderson Put It In Writing Professional Writing Service President/Head Writer
Sarah Hickman FedEx Communications Specialist
LaTasha Gentry Holmes Memphis City Schools Manager of Recruitment
Preston Lee Univeristy of Tennessee-College of Denistry Student Doctor
Erica Mann Mid-South Minority Business Council Supply Relationship Specialist
Chassie O’Neal Women’s Foundation Executive Assistant
John Riley MediTract, Inc. Director of Sales
Inez Robinson Love Matters, Inc CEO/President
Brittney Rogers Duncan-Williams, Inc. Investment Banker
Corlis Saadbouh Buckman Laboratories Legal Assistant
John Sadlow Century Wealth Management Director of Finance & Administration
Lynn Shaw Morgan Keegan and Co. Financial Advisor
Anthony Smith FedEx Senior Strategic Sales Analyst
Kristen Smith Memphis City Schools Teacher/2007 Corps Member
Eric Stenberg Memphis Leadership Foundation Program Coordinator
Jessica Swan    
Jonathan Watkins Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Corp. Manager, Patient Safety & Quality
Shiela White Hilton Hotel Corporation Recruiter
Erin Wiles NSA-Juice Plus Marketing & Special Events Coord. 
Oliver Williams KPMG Audit Associate
Chloe Woods Memphis Grizzlies Account Executive

NEXUS Class of 2009 MENTORS

Full Name Business Title
Becky Atkeison FedEx Manager of Executive Development
ohn Avis Collegiate School of Memmphis Head of School
JoAnne Ballard Neighborhood Christian Center Executive Director
Jon Becker Second Presbyterian Church Assistant Minister/Director of Evangelism
Richard Bourland FedEx Senior Business Analyst
Kelvin Bowen Memphis Athletic Ministries Executive Vice President
Tim Bowers FedEx Corporation Manager Executive Protection
Rob Crump Crump Mortgage Vice President of E Branch & Sr. Loan Officer
Heather Davis Briarcrest Christian School Math Teacher
Dr. Sylverna Ford Univeristy of Memphis Dean of Univeristy Libraries
Dana Hay Second Presbyterian Church Writer/Editor
Adella Heard First Tenn. Bank/First Horizon National Corp. SVP & Assistant General Counsel
Marilyn Hughes Hilton Hotels Corporation Manager Community Relations
Jack Joseph International Paper Human Resources Director
Jenny Koltnow Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation Executive Director
Jana Davis Lamanna Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland & Griffee Attorney
Joyce Lower Joyces Signs President/Owner
Melinda Medlin Capitol Network, Inc. Consultant and Senior Advisor
Olin Morris Retired  
Jacqueline Payne FedEx Express Business Systems Adivsor
Debbie Perkins IBM Corporation IT Services Manager
Lewie Polk Memphis Athletic Ministries VP/Community Director
Don Riley Discipling Men, Inc Founder & Executive Director
Whit Robison FedEx IT  
Phil Sistrunk Pier 1 Imports Regional Manager
Susan Stralka Baptist Rehabilitation Germantown CEO/Administrator
Elizabeth Taliaferro Presbyterian Day School Capital Campaign Manager
Michael Vitali FedEx Express Advisor-Human Resource Development
Katie West Second Presbyterian Church Co-Director of Women in Ministry
Lain Whitaker St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls History Teacher
Lewis Williamson Citigroup/Smith Barney Senior VP & Community Specialist
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal
Fenton Wright The Memphis Shalom Project Project Manager

NEXUS Class of 2009 PROTEGES

Full Name Business Title
Stephen Anderson Dillard Door & Entrance Control Service Tech
Steve Anderson Chartwell Financial Group Financial Representative
Stephanie Aldrich TruGreen Customer Retention Manger
Dion Barry Memphis Athletic Ministries Director
Ashley Belew Bottletree Design Group Architectural Intern
Cory Brown Univeristy of Memphis-College of Law Student  
Harry Cash MIFA Youth/Teen Coordinator
Shaun Ching FedEx Senior Marketing Specialist
Frank Crump FTN Financial Vice President/Structured Finance
Kyle Drummer Lincoln Electric Technical Sales Representative
Cami Chando Fields Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center Marketing Coordinator
Christopher Ham Germantown Presbyterian Church Associate Pastor
Jae Henderson Put It In Writing Professional Writing Service President/Head Writer
Sarah Hickman FedEx Communications Specialist
LaTasha Gentry Holmes Memphis City Schools Manager of Recruitment
Preston Lee Univeristy of Tennessee-College of Denistry Student Doctor
Erica Mann Mid-South Minority Business Council Supply Relationship Specialist
Chassie O’Neal Women’s Foundation Executive Assistant
John Riley MediTract, Inc. Director of Sales
Inez Robinson Love Matters, Inc CEO/President
Brittney Rogers Duncan-Williams, Inc. Investment Banker
Corlis Saadbouh Buckman Laboratories Legal Assistant
John Sadlow Century Wealth Management Director of Finance & Administration
Lynn Shaw Morgan Keegan and Co. Financial Advisor
Anthony Smith FedEx Senior Strategic Sales Analyst
Kristen Smith Memphis City Schools Teacher/2007 Corps Member
Eric Stenberg Memphis Leadership Foundation Program Coordinator
Jessica Swan    
Jonathan Watkins Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Corp. Manager, Patient Safety & Quality
Shiela White Hilton Hotel Corporation Recruiter
Erin Wiles NSA-Juice Plus Marketing & Special Events Coord. 
Oliver Williams KPMG Audit Associate
Chloe Woods Memphis Grizzlies Account Executive

NEXUS Class of 2009 MENTORS

Full Name Business Title
Becky Atkeison FedEx Manager of Executive Development
ohn Avis Collegiate School of Memmphis Head of School
JoAnne Ballard Neighborhood Christian Center Executive Director
Jon Becker Second Presbyterian Church Assistant Minister/Director of Evangelism
Richard Bourland FedEx Senior Business Analyst
Kelvin Bowen Memphis Athletic Ministries Executive Vice President
Tim Bowers FedEx Corporation Manager Executive Protection
Rob Crump Crump Mortgage Vice President of E Branch & Sr. Loan Officer
Heather Davis Briarcrest Christian School Math Teacher
Dr. Sylverna Ford Univeristy of Memphis Dean of Univeristy Libraries
Dana Hay Second Presbyterian Church Writer/Editor
Adella Heard First Tenn. Bank/First Horizon National Corp. SVP & Assistant General Counsel
Marilyn Hughes Hilton Hotels Corporation Manager Community Relations
Jack Joseph International Paper Human Resources Director
Jenny Koltnow Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation Executive Director
Jana Davis Lamanna Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland & Griffee Attorney
Joyce Lower Joyces Signs President/Owner
Melinda Medlin Capitol Network, Inc. Consultant and Senior Advisor
Olin Morris Retired  
Jacqueline Payne FedEx Express Business Systems Adivsor
Debbie Perkins IBM Corporation IT Services Manager
Lewie Polk Memphis Athletic Ministries VP/Community Director
Don Riley Discipling Men, Inc Founder & Executive Director
Whit Robison FedEx IT  
Phil Sistrunk Pier 1 Imports Regional Manager
Susan Stralka Baptist Rehabilitation Germantown CEO/Administrator
Elizabeth Taliaferro Presbyterian Day School Capital Campaign Manager
Michael Vitali FedEx Express Advisor-Human Resource Development
Katie West Second Presbyterian Church Co-Director of Women in Ministry
Lain Whitaker St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls History Teacher
Lewis Williamson Citigroup/Smith Barney Senior VP & Community Specialist
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal
Fenton Wright The Memphis Shalom Project Project Manager

Announcements

  • First Speaker Session for the Class of 2024

    The first speaker session for the NEXUS Class of 2024 took place on September 7 with Sylvia Martinez. Sylvia is the newly announced CEO for Girls, Inc. Sylvia shared about her journey as a leader and the things she has learned along the way focused on the leadership topic of “Planning”. Read More
  • NEXUS Podcast – Episode Three Released

    A NEXUS Podcast – THE NEXUS INTERSECTION The third episode of the NEXUS Podcast with co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt. A conversation with NEXUS Alumni and Program Committee volunteer William Franklin. William shares the tough conversations he had with himself and mentors as he “Transition Careers” from a safe, corporate position to being employee number four with a startup company. William is currently the Vice President for Path... Read More
  • NEW Podcast Release

    “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. Check out the second episode with co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt and the meaningful conversation with NEXUS Alumni Cami Fields. Cami is Manager of Strategic Marketing... Read More
  • NEXUS Launches Podcast “The NEXUS Intersection”

    This podcast will provide 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. We created this podcast titled “The NEXUS Intersection”, to provide our listeners with a diverse approach to leadership by interviewing NEXUS alumni and other key leaders in our community. In each episode, our co-hosts Ephie... Read More
  • Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!

    Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!! NEXUS successfully provided an engaging and meaningful NEXUS experience this year. NEXUS recently celebrated the Class of 2023 with NEXUS Graduation. This special event was hosted at the office of Kemmons Wilson Companies with Kayla Rodriguez Graff as the keynote speaker. On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor Kem Wilson, jr. and announce the Kem Wilson... Read More
  • NEXUS Night Out was a Success

    The annual NEXUS Night Out was a success bringing the current class participants and NEXUS Alumni together to connect. Special thanks to NEXUS ALumni Norma and Kem Wilson for hosting this event. To learn more about how to re-engage as a NEXUS Alum contact heather@nexusleaders.org. Read More
  • NEXUS IN MOTION

    NEXUS IN MOTION took place on Thursday, April 13 with Alumni returning and serving as a table leaders along with a keynote message. The event provide valuable face time and personal interaction among members of the NEXUS Network. Dr. Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum was the keynote speaker on the topic of “Dreaming as a Leader.” Special Thanks to the TABLE LEADERS Including Their TOPICS LYNN... Read More
  • NEXUS + Streets Ministries

    Members of the NEXUS Class of 2023 recently volunteered at the Graham location of Streets Ministries. Each year, NEXUS selects non-profits to learn more about and volunteer with. Streets Ministries is impacting the youth in our city daily. Read More
  • NEXUS Welcomes the Class of 2024

    The Class of 2024 began their NEXUS experience in August with Orientation. The successful event provided an opportunity for Mentors and Proteges to connect with fellow class participants, learn about individual strengths, and participate in training. The impact of the Mentor/Protégé relationship and the interactive, teaching lessons from key Memphis leaders paired with a proven curriculum continues to make NEXUS unique. The Orientation provided the foundation for a successful year... Read More
  • NEXUS Class of 2023 Meet & Greet

    NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentors and Proteges had the opportunity to meet fellow class members and NEXUS Board of Directors prior to the class orientation. Special thanks to Perkins-Everitt Lighting & Controls for hosting. Read More

Upcoming Events

December 7, 2023 - December 7, 2023
NEXUS December Speaker Will Be Ericka DeBruce

Ericka DeBruce, Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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November 2, 2023 - November 2, 2023
Jason Wexler Will Speak on Nov. 2

The NEXUS Class of 2024 2ill host Jason Wexler, President for the Memphis Grizzlies to speak on the leadership topic

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October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
Tom Cleves Returns to NEXUS on 10.5.23

Tom Cleves, SVP – Corporate Affairs for Slyvamo will return to NEXUS and speak to the Class of 2024 on the topic of

Read More

Partners

Testimonials

  • Daniel Pouget, VP – Commercial Banker, Simmons Bank & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Cameron Mann, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Methodist Le Bonheur & NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentor

  • YJ Lee, Marketing Advisor, Connect Healthcare & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Faedra Carter, Manufacturing Excellence Consultant, International Paper & NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentor

  • Travis Moody, CEO, Forward Memphis & NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentor

  • Will Adair, Construction Project Manager, CrestCore & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Andrew Mok, Category Manager, AutoZone & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Amy Beth Dudley, Dir. of Donor Services, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis & NEXUS Board member

    “Mentoring relationships are crucial for both personal and professional growth. Through NEXUS, I have had the honor of both having a mentor and serving as one. A mentor walking alongside you to rejoice in successes and coach you through difficult situations makes all the difference. Serving on the board of NEXUS allows me to provide that connection and opportunity for others in our community.” Amy Beth Dudley, Dir. of Donor Services, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis & NEXUS Board member
  • Mason Massey, Assistant Marketing Manager, AutoZone, NEXUS Class of 2022 Protégé

    “This is a unique opportunity to engage with both, peers and mentors, on current issues facing Memphis and beyond that is difficult to replicate. The relationship with my Mentor is something that I value greatly and will extend beyond the dates of the NEXUS program. It is difficult to put the relationship into words, as it is more of a friendship with someone who has much more life experience and accolades, but it has grown organically without feeling forced and I am very grateful for that.”
  • Jeanette O’Bryant, Development Director, Collage Dance Collective, NEXUS Class of 2022 Mentor

    “This is one of the many great and satisfying programs that Memphis has to further develop and strengthen relationships and support in our community and our careers. I appreciate NEXUS so much for the opportunity and the wonderfully crafted sessions and speakers who graced us often with invaluable knowledge, testimonials and stories that seemed to fit me each month of my personal journey. Jeanette O’Bryant, Development Director, Collage Dance Collective, NEXUS Class of 2022 Mentor