Class Of 2015

HomeAlumnisClass Of 2015

NEXUS Class of 2015 PROTEGES

Full Name Company Title
Andrew Barrett First Tennessee Bank Porfolio Manager
Shaun Bernard Total Transportation of Mississippi Fleet Manager
Olivia Buffington St. George’s Independent School Director of Admission
Richard Collins The Metropolitan Bank Client Services Advisor
LaTasha Cornett Church Pension Group Conferences Team Leader
Justin Deere ServiceMaster Financial Analyst
Jennie Dickerson ALSAC Donor Engagment Specialist
Ashley Edge Grizzlies Prep Charter School Development Coordinator
William Franklin FTB Advisors, Inc. Registered Representative
Deron Hall Memphis is Music Initiative Senior Program Manager
Anjelica Hardin Achievement School District Director of Strategic Partnership
Lizy Heard Church Health Center Graphic Director
Brad Hightower First Tennessee Bank Business Banking Relationship Manager
William Ivey The Metropolitan Bank Portfolio Manager
Jasmine Johnson International Paper Project Manager
Caroline Kelly
Keating Lowery Lawrence & Russell, PLC Attorney
Brandon Mack FedEx Business Sales
Jonathan McAlister Shoemaker Financial Financial Planner
Brandon Porter Fellowship Memphis Pastoral Resident
Ben Prodhomme Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor
Daniel Riley Ultraship TMS Technology Analyst
Alex Roberts Methodist Healthcare Foundation Special Events Coordinator
Leshundra Robinson Americorp Vista SCS Family Engagement Specialist
Camelia Scott New Leaders Manager, Recruitment & Operations
Elizabeth Sposato TreGreen Finanical Analyst
Jack Steffner Newmark Grubb Memphis Associate
William Ware Hobson Realtors Affiliate Broker
Christian Watkins-Bolden Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Supervisor of Community Collaboration

NEXUS Class of 2015 MENTORS

Full Name Company Title
Janice Ballard Common Table Health Alliance Program Coordinator-Healthy Shelby
Jonny Ballinger Smith & Nephew Business Lead Project Manager
Miska Clay Bibbs Green Dot Public Schools Director of Community Engagement
Greg Davis Century Wealth Management Director of Portfolio Management
Amy Beth Dudley ALSAC Associate Regional Director-Region 5
Debi Erickson Second Presbyterian Church Accounting Director
Terri Flemmons Pharmacist
Scott Fountain Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation Senior Vice President & CDO
Ed Garrison International Paper Director-Leadership Development
Deborah Hester Harrison Self-Employed
Rob Heard First Tennessee Bank Senior VP & Manager-Correspondent Services Division
Hamp Holcomb Strategic Finanical Partners Senior VP & Financial Advisor
Nancy Holcomb Community Volunteer
Rodney Johnson Unversity of Tennessee & NCC Family Advocate Counselor & Director
Jill Kauffman Presbyterian Day School Chief Financial Officer
Mason Kauffman US BIOLOGIC, Inc. Chief Executive Officer
Patrick McCarty Northwestern Mutual Director of Financial Security Support
Grace McLaren Success Strategies Owner
Elizabeth Oltremari Precision Healthcare Regional Account Manager
Ashley Pace Lockton Companies, LLC Producer
Larry Papasan Smith & Nephew & MLGW Retired President
Don Riley Discipling Men, Inc. Executive Director & Founder
Traci Strickland Triumph Bank Vice President-Marketing
Stephanie Summers
Rhea Taylor Americraft Carton, Inc. President
Deidre Thompson FedEx Manager-Strategic Planning & Business
Dr. Kathy Tuberville University of Memphis-Fogelman Business School-Director
Katie West The Metropolitan Bank Chief Talent Officer
Marc Willis Omni Schools Co-Founder, President & CEO
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal

Announcements

  • 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

  • Lunch with Leaders

    Members of the NEXUS Network had the opportunity to network and be inspired by NEXUS leaders. During Lunch with Leaders Chris Coleman, Caroline Kuebler, and Bathsheba Sams shared their personal leadership journeys and the insights they’ve gained through experience. Read More

  • NEXUS Alumni Returns as November Session Speaker

    Alumni and members of the NEXUS Class of 2026 had the privilege to hear NEXUS Alumni Brooke Jones, Director for Strategy for Martin Brower return to NEXUS and speak at the November session. Brooke spoke on the topic of “Focusing as a Leader” and shared that it’s okay to give yourself permission and grace to be focused in the moment – that will set you up on the right path... Read More

  • Doug McGowan Shared with NEXUS Class of 2026

    Doug McGowan, President and CEO for MLGW spoke to the NEXUS Class of 2026 at the October session. Doug is a dynamic leader that spoke on the topic of “Planning as a Leader”. Doug’s remarks and examples provided valuable take-aways applicable to everyone. He discussed four kinds of Work/Buckets -Day to Day Work -Process Improvement -Break Through Thinking -Critical/Crisis Action Planning Plan + Metrics / Activity + Outcome / Measure... Read More
View All Announcements

Upcoming Events

April 30, 2026 - April 30, 2026
NEXUS Night Out to Take Place on April 30

NEXUS Alumni and members of the Class of 2026 are invited to NEXUS Night Out on April 30. NEXUS hosts this annual

Read More
April 23, 2026 - April 23, 2026
Recruitment Event for NEXUS Class of 2027

NEXUS will host a Recruitment Reception for interested proteges and mentors for the Class of 2027 on April 23; 5:30pm at

Read More
Default Image
March 26, 2026 - March 26, 2026
NEXUS Workshop – Communicating + Leading With Your Enneagram Number

On March 26 NEXUS will be hosting a Workshop titled "Communicating and Leading with your Enneagram Number" led by NEXUS

Read More
View All Events

Partners

Testimonials

  • Beth Price, The Marston Group, Mentor – Class of 2025

    “Participating in NEXUS has been a fantastic experience! While nurturing relationships across varied professional fields, NEXUS is cultivating a network of individuals that go out into the community to lead & inspire others. The objective of building leaders through encouragement, mentorship & community service is beneficial to all participants & ultimately the city of Memphis.” - Beth Price, The Marston Group, Mentor - Class of 2025

  • Sam Pope, CoolRoofs, NEXUS Protege – Class of 2025

    "As one of the younger protégés in the NEXUS Class of 2025, I found the experience to be both grounding and transformative. My mentor created space for honest dialogue and offered insight rooted in years of leadership. The speaker sessions reinforced the importance of calm leadership and challenged me to see people not as problems, but as the purpose." Sam Pope, CoolRoofs, NEXUS Protege - Class of 2025

  • Michael Moore, International Paper, NEXUS Alumni, Class of 2024

    "As a NEXUS Alumni, I came back for one of the sessions because of my professional relationship with the speaker. It was one of the most rewarding NEXUS sessions I’ve attended! I also enjoyed a fruitful conversation with a new friend at the table and we plan to continue to connect. This is what NEXUS should look like on both ends (past/future…mentor/protégé)!" Michael Moore, International Paper, NEXUS Alumni, Class of 2024

  • Travis Moody, Forward Memphis, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

    “This was my second year as a NEXUS mentor. As before, I really enjoyed building a relationship with my protégé as well as connecting with the other mentors. I always learn something new from the monthly speakers. Even as a mentor, I see NEXUS as a huge part of my continued development as a leader.” - Travis Moody, Forward Memphis, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

  • Sarah Farrell, Memphis Fire Department, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

    “I am thankful for my time this year with my protégé, monthly meetings and engaging conversations with the entire NEXUS community. The ongoing focus on networking, leadership and encouragement is unlike any other. It is a positive representation of the Memphis community, and I am glad to be a part of it.” Sarah Farrell, Memphis Fire Department, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

  • Francisco Trujillo, The Marston Group, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

    “As a first-generation college graduate and professional, I was unaware and unprepared about certain aspects or situations that come along in a professional setting. I am grateful at the resources that NEXUS has given me. I now have a mentor, whom I ask for guidance or advice on how to become a better more prepared leader, professional, and every day-to-day person.” – Francisco Trujillo, The Marston Group, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

  • Ramonda Clayborn, Sylvamo, NEXUS Class of 2025 Mentor

    "I've absolutely loved building a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship with my mentee. NEXUS has been a phenomenal platform for gaining actionable insights from community leaders and program participants, greatly enriching both of our professional development journeys." Ramonda Clayborn, Sylvamo, NEXUS Class of 2025 Mentor

  • Lauren Morgan, The Bank of Fayette County, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

    “The NEXUS program has meant so much to me both personally and professionally. My mentor offered incredible wisdom and support, and I truly felt seen and encouraged throughout the process. I also had the chance to meet other protégés I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise—some of whom have turned into genuine friendships. I’m incredibly thankful for NEXUS and all the growth it brought into my life this year. - Lauren Morgan, The Bank of Fayette County, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

  • Emmanuel Amido, AgroTech Noire, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

    "An essential aspect of growth as an entrepreneur and business professional lies in learning from the paths of those who came before you—seasoned lifelong learners whose wealth of experience drives economic progress and strengthens our community's foundation. NEXUS gave me that opportunity, as I hope to contribute to our community's economic growth. " Emmanuel Amido, AgroTech Noire, NEXUS Protégé, Class of 2025

  • Beverly Gates, Monogram Food, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025

    “The NEXUS program is one of a kind. From my time as a protégé many years ago to the last year as a mentor, I have learned so much through this program. The inspiring, experienced speakers NEXUS attracts never fail to provide life lessons. The future of Memphis is in the hands of some extraordinary, passionate young leaders who are working hard to improve lives in our community. “ -Beverly Gates, Monogram Food, NEXUS Mentor, Class of 2025