Class of 2017

MENTORS

Steve Anderson

Raymond JamesFinancial Advisor

Ashli Avis

Make-A-Wish Mid-SouthDirector of Wishes

Sharon Bailey

ServiceMasterManager, Application & Development

Teresa Blanton

Medtronic, IncBusiness Process Analyst

Jason Brock

Wunderman Vice President Digital Operations

Sara Burnett

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Director-Community & Public
Relations

Mia Condon

First Tennessee Capital Assets Corp Vice President

Sarah Cowan

St. George’s Independent School Director of Communications

Amy Beth Dudley

ALSAC / St. Jude
Associate Regional Director

Charles Elliott

National Infrastructure Group Managing Partner

Karen Farrell-Shikuku

FedEx IT Manager

Duncan Galbreath

First Tennessee Bank First VP

Matt Gandy

FedEx Pilot

Ed Garrison

International Paper
Director,Leadership Development

Kevin Gautreaux

FedEx IT Manager

Cecil Godman

Mercury Investment Group Chief Marketing Officer & Partner

Bently Goodwin

MidSouth CEO

Felicia Hartsfield

The Influence1 FoundationChief Operations Officer

Annette Hawkins

Teleflex MedicalHuman Resources Manager

Ron Hickman

Second Presbyterian ChurchMinistry Executive

John Ivy

Frazee Ivy Davis, PLC
CPA, Partner

Rex Jones

Hope Christian Community FoundationPresident and CEO

Mason Kauffman

US BiologicCEO

Caroline Kuebler

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Director of
Development

Paul LeMay

FedEx Director Strategy Planning

Larry Papasan

Smith & Nephew Retired President

Richard Romine

International PaperDirector Global Performance & Development

Bathsheba Sams

International Paper VP of HR Operations

Mary Sexton

United Way of the Mid-South VP of Resource Development

Anthony Smith

FedEx Solutions Principal

Katie West

The Metropolitan Bank Senior Managing Director

Joe Williams

Agape North President

Kem Wilson

Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal

PROTEGES

Patrick Bingham

Crestcore RealtyRealtor

Deidra Brooks

The Memphis LiftChief of Staff

Lee Bobo

ALSAC/St. Jude
Event Specialist

Jeremy Bylo

Lincoln ElectricTechnical Sales Representative

Emily Cates

Kemmons Wilson CompaniesManager
Human Resources

Matthew Cates

Dennis Cates Advertising & GiftsSales Manager

Natalie Chamoun

First Tennessee BankTrust Officer & Portfolio Analyst

Ashley Chism

First Tennessee BankCredit Analyst II

Whitney Clifton

The Metropolitan BankClient Service Advisor

Eric Collison

Kemmons Wilson Insurance GroupVice President

Alton Cryer

STS Enterprise / Orion FCUCo-Founder & Vice President Business Development Officer

Robby Flack

Harvest Church MemphisYoung Adults Director

Carlo Foster

C. Foster Construction Co.President

Chandler Gagnon

Strategic Financial PartnersFinancial Representative

Henry Gordon

First Tennessee BankTrust Officer

Jeff Higdon

Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial AdvisorsSenior Associate

Danielle John

TruGreen CorporateMarketing Consultant

Brooke Jones

FedEx ExpressEngineer

Sara Nelms

ALSAC/St. JudeQA Engineer

Caleb Park

NexTech SolutionsAccount Manager

Betsy Peterson

Shelby Farms Park ConservancyDevelopment Manager

Michael Reynolds

FedEx ServicesMarketing Specialist

Steven Sanders

FedEx ServicesMarketing Specialist

Jordan Saslawsky

The Metropolitan BankMortgage Support Specialist

Grace Simmons

Duncan Williams Asset ManagementExecutive Administrator

Josh Simpson

ServiceMasterManager of Business

Justus Smith

International PaperIT Business Specialist II

Brianna Tidwell

Hilton Worldwide International Tax Analyst

Ben Trombly

CrestCore Realty General Manager

Cody Uzcategul

DeloitteAudit Assistant

LaToya Wharton

ALSACSenior Marketing Liaison

Garner Williams

The Marston Group, PLC Manager

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

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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