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

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

View All Announcements

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