Class Of 2014

NEXUS Class of 2014 MENTORS

Full name Business Title
Levernese Anderson International Paper Supply Planner
Dana Armstrong International Paper Business Human Resources Manager
Rodney Baber Newport Coast Securities, Inc. Senior Vice President
Donald Bourland Bourland, Helflin, Alvarez, Minor & Matthews, PCL Attorney
Betsy Brasher First Tennessee Bank Senior Vice President
Jim Burrow Self Employed Chief Manager
Dick Cain Second Presbyterian Church Assistant Pastor
Lu Churchwell Dermatology East Dermatologist
Mia Condon FTN Financial Capital Assets Corporation Vice President
Scott Fountain Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation Senior Vice President & CDO
Ed Garrison International Paper Director, Leadership Development
Madelyn Gray Riverside Reporting Court Reporter
Ruth Ann Hale The Baddour Center Director
Patricia Hamann RenRx Consultant Pharmacist
Ron Hickman Second Presbyterian Church Ministry Executive
Shelley Hill Hilton Senior Manager-Compensation
John Holmes FedEx Innovation Research Principal
Cole Huffman First Evangelical Church Senior Pastor
Cathi Johnson Memphis Theological Seminary VP of Advancement
Bill Martin Real Estate & Financial Consulting  
Layne McGuire Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP Senior Manager
Andy O’Fee Crump Mortgage Senior Loan Officer
Lewie Polk For The Kingdom Executive Director
Jack Quinlan Neighborhood Christian Center Chief Operating Officer
Bill Sehnert Peer Power Foundation Director
John Simpson Merck Director of Service Delivery/Management ERP Global Operations
Dan Springer Evolve Bank & Trust Director of Communication
Paul Tuberville International Paper General Counsel, Labor & Employment
Lisa Wadlington Shell Oil Company Business Development Manager
Michael Whaley Memphis College Prep Elementary Founder & School Director
Bradley Wilford CB Richard Ellis Vice President
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal

NEXUS Class of 2014 PROTEGES

Full Name Company Title
Brent Allred Lipscomb and Pitts Producer/Commercial Lines
Nycole Alston Shelby County Government Planning Group Manager
Janice Ballard Healthy Shelby Program Coordinator
Todd Blanton Newmark Grubb Associate-Capital Markets
Lauren Bowie Lipscomb and Pitts Personal Lines Producer
Mary Braddock Church Health Center Development Associate
Marisa Britton Neighborhood Christian Center Graphic Design Specialist
Justin Carter The Marston Group, PLC Staff Accountant
Deshundra Davis International Paper IT Business Analyst
Kevin Delie Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Director of Membership Growth
Trent Dixon BDO USA, LLP Associate
Amanda Eckerlsry Durham School Services Financial Analyst
Sean Gould Waddell and Associates Financial Planner
Terence Gray Fellowship Memphis Resident Pastor
Lauren Harlow archer>malmo Account Coordinator
Melissa Holland TruGreen Division Finance Manager
Ray Holmgren Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Director of Services
Wendy Holtz ServiceMaster Marketing Consultant Digital
Walter Jackson Advance Memphis On-Site Manager
Luke Jensen Cushman Wakefield/Commercial Advisors Associate-Capital Markets Group
Rodney Johnson University of Tennessee/NCC Family Advocate Counselor/Director of Love Builders
Josh Jones The Lincoln Electric Company Technical Sales Representative
Neely Mallory Cushman Wakefield/Commercial Advisors Associate
Joshua Marx Achievement School District Teacher
Russell McCutcheon Fellowship Memphis Resident Pastor
Jan Mitchell EEOC Senior-Bilingual Federal Investigator
Juan Roncal Bellevue Middle School Teacher
Bradford Washam EM Printing Account Manager
Jay Williams Memphis Athletic Ministries Youth Coordinator
Lewis Williamson Independent Bank Mortgage Loan Officer

Announcements

  • The NEXUS Intersection Podcast with co-Founder Sandy Willson

    New Release – “The NEXUS Intersection” – A NEXUS Podcast Co-founder of NEXUS Sandy Willson sat down with Heather Hunt and Ephie Johnson to talk about the vision he had for NEXUS and 20 years later why mentoring matters. Listen to the newest episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” titled “The NEXUS Vision & Why Mentoring”. Sandy shares about why NEXUS was founded and the purpose we continue to fulfill for... Read More
  • November Session with Memphis Grizzlies Jason Wexler

    The NEXUS Class of 2024 hosted Jason Wexler, President for the Memphis Grizzlies at the November Session. Jason shared on the topic of “Motivating as a Leader” and how he personally is motivated and how he motivates his team. Read More
  • Mike Allen Shares on NEXUS Podcast – Episode 5

    In the newest episode of the NEXUS podcast, “The NEXUS Intersection” co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt have a conversation with Mike Allen, Executive Director of the Memphis Botanic Garden and NEXUS Mentor. Mike shares the things he has learned through his three different acts as a corporate employee, entrepreneur, and a non-profit leader – all end with the same theme “Mike Gives Back”. To listen click HERE. Read More
  • Tom Cleves Returned to NEXUS

    Tom Cleves, SVP – Corporate Affairs for Sylvamo returned to NEXUS in October. Tom shared the importance of “Focusing as a Leader” with the Class of 2024. He challenged everyone to ask themselves “What’s the one most important thing today?”. Figure out what matters and give it your undivided attention. To request the speaker’s audio email heather@nexusleaders.org. Read More
  • The NEXUS Intersection Podcast – Episode Four Released

    Ignacio Vincentelli is the guest on the newly released NEXUS Podcast and talks about “Building Your Personal Team”. He shares the decisions he has made and how he has utilized “his team” along the way and why it’s so important to live in the present. Ignacio is Senior Counsel for International Paper and a NEXUS Alumni and Board member. LISTEN HERE. Read More
  • Sylvia Martinex Kicked Off Sessions for 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

Upcoming Events

January 4, 2024 - January 4, 2024
Elizabeth Rouse to be First Speaker in 2024

Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO for ARTSmemphis will speak at the first session of 2024.  The Class of 2024 will have

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November 15, 2023 - May 15, 2023
Celebrating 20 Years – Funding Campaign

I am thrilled to share that NEXUS is celebrating an incredible milestone - 20 years!  This remarkable journey has been made

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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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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