Class Of 2016

HomeAlumnisClass Of 2016

NEXUS Class of 2016 PROTEGES

Full Name Company Title
Jake Adams First Tennessee Bank Relationship Manager
Jeremy Calhoun International Paper/STS Enterprise IT Specialist II/President & Founder
Lenora Christopher International Paper Financial Analyst
Josalyn Coleman University of Tenn.-Health Sciences Education Specialist
Jonathan Givens Digital Media Freelancer Digital Media Freelance
Jeremy Griffith International Paper IT Business Specialist
Sarah Haney The Metropolitan Bank Client Development Advisor
Dirk Hedlund EyeOn Technologies Technical Support Engineer
Katharine Hedlund EyeOn Technologies Technical Support Engineer
Matthew Heffington The Kimery Group at Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor
Emily Hendrix Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance Personal Lines Account Assistant
Jacari Lewis International Paper Financial Analyst
Breyana Lowe ALSAC/St. Jude Senior Specialist/Patient Liaision
Kristen Lurry Federal Express Security Advisor
Amanda Mattingly The Metropolitan Bank Client Services Advisor
Dexter McKinney Baptist Memorial Health Care System Community Outreach Specialist
Matt Mitchell Harvest Church Facilities Manager
James Moore For The Kingdom Program Manager
Allie Morrison Baptist Medical Group Nurse Practitioner
Elizabeth Morrison Southeastern Asset Management Client Relations Manager
Jay Philpott St. George’s Independent School Director of Advancement
Jeremy Ramsey Raymond James & Associates Investment Portfolio Specialist
Timithay Robinson Memphis Recovery Center Counselor
Luke Sanderson Wampler & Pierce, P.C Attorney
Lori Stewart University of Memphis College Academic Advisor/Graduation Assistant
TaWanda Stewart Le Bonheur Community Health & Well Being Resource 7 Referral Specialist
Howard Summers Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance Commerical Insurance Specialist
Rondell Trevino National Imigration Forum Southeast Church Mobilizer
Kate Van Namen Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP Attorney
Pedro Velasquez Darsalud Management Operations Director
Taylor West Harvest Church Human Resources Associate

NEXUS Class of 2016 MENTORS

Full Name Company Title
Levernese Anderson International Paper Supply Planner
Steve Anderson Raymond James Financial Advisor
Teresa Blanton Medtronic, Inc. Business Process Analyst
Betsy Brasher First Tennessee Bank Portfolio Manager, Corporate Banking
Andreana Brown Smith Church Health Center Director of MEMPHIS Plan & Patient Services
Rob Carson Medtronic, Inc. Vice President, Global Marketing & Strategy
Lu Churchwell Dermatologist
Pamela Cox Neighborhood Christian Center Community Relations Director
Orin Davidson Retired Physician
Todd Erickson Second Presbyterian Church Pastoral Executive
Ed Flemmons Pool Contractors Supply President & CEO
Preston Frazer AutoZone Vice President of Audit Services
Matt Gandy FedEx Pilot
Ed Garrison International Paper Director, Leadership Development
Cynthia Graham Memphis Union Mission Director of Major Gifts
Adella Heard First Tennessee Bank Legal Counsel
Jay Healy Century Wealth Management President
Art Heun Retired Police Chief
Amy Klesges Medtronic, Inc. Finance Director & Controller
Caroline Kuebler ALSAC/St. Jude Senior Director-Volunteer Development
Elizabeth Rudolph University of Memphis Law School Assistant Dean
Don Riley Discipling Men, Inc. Executive Director & Founder
Susan Riley Methodist Healthcare Germantown Nurse
Robb Roaten Second Presbyterian Church Director of Communications
Phyllis Slaughter International Paper Solution Delivery Manager
Bobby Shute Aren Investments, LLC Vice President of Operations
Paul Tuberville International Paper Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment
Gib Vestal Memphis Athletic Ministries Chairman
Nicole Walhour International Paper Deputy Ethics & Compliance Officer
Roby Williams Black Business Association of Memphis President
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal
Norma Wilson Community Volunteer

Announcements

  • 2025 Kem Wilson, Jr. NEXUS Leadership Award Announced

    On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor NEXUS Protege Emmanuel Amido with the 2025 Kem Wilson, Jr. NEXUS Leadership Award that is awarded each year to someone that leads like Kem. This award is given at Graduation an individual who has unwavering commitment to the NEXUS program and mission and is fully engaged with fellow members of the Class of 2025. “It’s been... Read More

  • Congrats to the NEXUS Class of 2025!

    Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2025! It was an honor to celebrate the Mentors and Proteges at Graduation on May 6 at Theatre Memphis. The Mentor and Protégé graduates were celebrated for their accomplishments and dedication over the past ten months. Thank You Shelby County Sherriff Floyd Bonner for delivering a meaningful keynote message. Special thanks to the Board members, Program Committee members, and volunteers for their leadership and... Read More

  • Connecting at NEXUS Night Out

    On April 29, 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!

    NEXUS IN MOTION is a favorite among the NEXUS Network and was another success this year.  Special thanks to the NEXUS Alumni who led table discussions and keynote speaker Matt Gandy. This special event offers NEXUS Alumni and current participants the opportunity to network, have table discussions on timely topics, and to be inspired by a keynote message. Thanks to the table leaders: Bryan Boggs / Jeremy Calhoun / Hayley... Read More

  • First Horizon’s David Popwell Spoke at the March Session

    David Popwell, Senior Strategic Executive for First Horizon Corporation, spoke to alumni and class members at the March session on “Building Leaders”. David is prominent leader in the financial sector of Memphis and has demonstrated long-standing leadership through his value-based approach and commitment to ethical business practices. He started the evening by asking participants to reflect on these questions: “What kind of person do you want to be?” and “What... Read More

  • NEXUS Winter Workshop Series was a Success

    NEXUS recently hosted a Winder Workshop Series focused on using the Enneagram and AI to be an effective communicator. Special thanks to Katie West and Sridhar Sunkara for facilitating this series. NEXUS is where mentoring and leadership meet. We continue to provide opportunities for current participants and alumni to develop as leaders. To learn more about upcoming events visit www.nexusleaders.org. Read More

  • Brett Batterson Shared at Feb NEXUS Session

    On February 4, President & CEO of the Orpheum Theatre Group Brett Batterson spoke to the members of the NEXUS Class of 2025. Brett is an empathetic leader who is all about the people. To lead through change, he shared you must pivot, be nimble, and take everyone with you. Special thanks to Begin Now, LLC. for sponsoring this session. To join us for an upcoming session, contact NEXUS to... Read More

  • January Session with Christian Owen

    Members of the current NEXUS class began 2025 hosting Christian Owen, Founder and Publisher of RiverCity Lifestyle Magazine as the session speaker. Christian shared her insights and experiences as she spoke to the mentors and proteges on the topic of “Dreaming as a Leader”. A few things she suggested when dreaming big include- -Start with the Why? Define your dreams. Remember that your compass is your Why. -Dreams must have... Read More

  • NEXUS Winter Workshop Series Underway

    NEXUS is hosting a Winder Workshop Series focused on using the Enneagram and AI to be an effective communicator.  Session One took place on January 14 with Leadership Development Consultant Katie West on the topic of Communicating with Your Enneagram Number.  The next session will help you learn how to utilize your Enneagram number to effectively communicate and strengthen your communication both personally and professionally by accessing the world of... Read More

  • NEXUS Serves at St. Jude Marathon

    NEXUS Alumni and members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 volunteered at this year’s St. Jude Marathon. Volunteers cheered for marathon runners and served at a Hydration Station. Read More
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Upcoming Events

May 13, 2025 - May 13, 2025
NEXUS Recruitment Event on May 13

Recruitment will begin for the NEXUS Class of 2026 with a Recruitment Reception on May 13; 5:30-6:30pm at Second

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Partners

Testimonials

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

    “I was honored to participate in the inaugural year of NEXUS, 20 years later I’m honored to still be involved in NEXUS as a mentor, past speaker, and Board member. Just five years after being a protégé I became President & CEO of NCC, because of NEXUS I appreciate and see the importance of servant leadership.” Ephie Ballard Johnson, President & CEO of Neighborhood Christian Centers

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Billie Jo Parker

    “The greatest benefit from participating in NEXUS are the connections you make. I am grateful for the personal and professional network of colleagues and friends I have encountered because of NEXUS.” Bill Jo Parker, SVP Pinnacle Bank and NEXUS Alumni

  • 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

    “The greatest part about NEXUS is the diversity of relationships made that last a lifetime, particularly multi-generational relationships.” Cameron Mann, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Methodist Healthcare + NEXUS Alumni

  • 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

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Lewis Williamson

    “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

  • Celebrating 20 Years of NEXUS – Alumni Highlight – Andrew Mok

    “As a NEXUS graduate, I have benefitted from the program through the guidance and support from my mentor at such an early stage of my professional career. I feel more confident in making informed decisions and navigating challenges. The program assisted in the development of my leadership skills including communication, problem solving, and emotional intelligence." - Andrew Mok, AutoZone + NEXUS Alumni