Class of 2024 – 20th NEXUS Class

HomeAlumnisClass of 2024 – 20th NEXUS Class

PROTEGES
Will Carruthers / FedEx Manager / Business Intelligence and Analytics
Ellen Celosky / Rhodes College / Director of Annual Giving
Caitlin Chipman / CrestCore Realty LLC / District Portfolio Manager
Liz Connell / Fertility Associates of Memphis / Practice Director
Bryan Crenshaw / Raymond James / Sales
Giovanna de Souza / International Paper / Designer
Chante’ Dobson / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Clinical Research Associate
Joe Domino / International Paper / Strategic Investments Manger
Anna Dyer / Sylvamo / Communications Coordinator, Internal Communications & Special Projects
Brian Evans / Strategic Financial Partners / Financial Services Representative
ToNaya Gulley / CodeCrew / Recruitment and Case Specialist
Jeff Haas / AutoZone / Associate Continuous Improvement Manager
Hannah Hart / KPMG LLP / Audit Manager
Nic Hayes / Connect HealthCare Collaboration / Contract Creative Employee
Ethan Ide / Gentleman Orthopedic Solutions / Technology Consultant
Jess Isley / The Collegiate School of Memphis / Advancement Director
Felicia Jackson / First Horizon Bank / Relationship Banker
Jeffery Johnson / Jeffery Johnson & Team, LLC / Founder & CEO
David Jordan / AutoZone / Supply Chain Analyst
Charlie McCarty / Dale Carnegie Training Mid-South / Business Consultant
Brooke McFadden / Insight Risk Management / Account Manager
Andre McIntyre / BluePrint Supply Chain / Program Manger
Kennetha McQuarter / AutoZone / Visual Merchandiser
Lauren Meriwether / Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh, PLLC / Associate Attorney
Rives Moore / CBRE / Associate
James Ramson / First Horizon Bank / Vice President, Payments Product Management Lead
Jade Ray / AutoZone / Internal Communications Specialist
John Ruch / Stratas Foods / Inside Sales
Adam Thornton / Memphis CashFlow GP / Director of Sales & Marketing
Frances Tortorich / Children’s Museum of Memphis / Director of Development
Lauren Tully / International Paper / Global Sourcing Buyer
Ward Walthal / Marx-Bensdorf Realtors / Agent
Jake Warren / Evolve Bank and Trust / Physicians Captial Lender
Eric Wilson / PATH Company / Business Development Associate

MENTORS
Mike Allen / Memphis Botanic Garden / Executive Director
Geetika Bansal / Hilltop Securities / Sr VP, Mortgage Trading & Strategy
Bryan Boggs / SSI / Director of Engineering
Christy Brockman / ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Director / Talent Development
Karolina Calhoun / Mercer Capital / Vice President
Faedra Carter / International Paper / Manufacturing Excellence Consultant
Ginger Collier / Community Volunteer /
Damon Conley / Second Presbyterian Church / Assistant Pastor
Dick Fisher / Paul & Sonia Jones Family Office / CEO of affiliate, Red Hills Fishery, LLC; Director of Internal Audit
Laura Fortenberry / FedEx / Manager, Global Citizenship
Carlo Foster / C. Foster Construction Company, Inc. / President
Duncan Galbreath / First Horizon Bank / First Vice President – Commercial Line of Business Manager
Jackie Gatewood / International Paper / Change Management and Training Team Lead
Howard Graham / The Center – Memphis / Executive Director
Adella Heard / First Horizon Bank / SVP, Assistant General Counsel
Barry Knight / BH Resources & Investments / President
Drayton Mayers / TeamLogic IT / Owner
Levernese Mell / International Paper / Global Supply Chain Manager
Michael Moore / International Paper / Chief Counsel, HR Benefits
Rosaland Odell / Morgan Stanley Business / Service Manager
Rush O’Keefe / Real Estate Investor / Managing Partner
Don Riley / Discipling Men, Inc. / Executive Director & Founder
Shade Robinson / Physicians Data Services / President
Lee Rudd / Pinnacle Financial Partners / SVP, Financial Advisor
Lil Rudd / Seagen / Senior Oncology Account Manager
Alissa Campbell Shaw / International Paper / Senior Manager, Global Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Engagement
Amy Stack / XPRIZE Foundation
Tonya Todd / Hilltop Securities / Managing Director – Housing
Sabrina Townsend / International Paper / Manager, Global HR Operations
Ignacio Vincentelli / International Paper / Senior Counsel
Garner Williams / The Marston Group / Partner
Lewis Williamson / Hilltop Securities / Co-Head – Mid-South Region
Audrey Willis / CodeCrew / CoFounder & k-12 Program Director
Kem Wilson / Kemmons Wilson Companies / Principal
Luke Yancy / First Horizon Bank / Regional Senior Credit Officer

Announcements

  • 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

  • Monica Wharton Shares with Class of 2025

    Monica Wharton, EVP & COO for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare spoke to members of the Class of 2025 and Alumni at the December session. Monica shared on the topic of “Ethical Decision Making” and how important it is to be a transparent and authentic leader. To learn more about the session contact NEXUS. Read More

  • NEXUS Volunteers with AKA on CHIPPS Project

    Members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 volunteered with the AKA Sorority and their CHIPPS program. Together over 400 food bags were packed to distribute to students in the Mid-South to take home for the weekend.  Read More

  • Tom Cleves on Communicating and Using Smart Brevity

    On November 5, Tom Cleves, recently retired as SVP – Corporate Affairs for Sylvamo had a discussion with the mentors and proteges in the NEXUS Class of 2025 on the topic communicating as a Leader and using smart brevity. To learn more about this session or to request the speaker’s audio, contact NEXUS. Read More

  • Sally Pace Challenges the NEXUS Class of 2025 to Ask the Right Questions

    At the October session, Sally Pace, CEO for Connect Healthcare Collaboration spoke to the NEXUS Class of 2025 on the topic of “Asking the Right Questions”. Sally did an amazing job and truly challenged participants to think about the importance of questions. To request the session audio contact NEXUS. Read More

  • NEXUS Volunteers at Make-A-Wish

    Members of the NEXUS Class of 2025 recently volunteered with Make-A-Wish Mid-South. Participants volunteered and learned more about the impact Make-A-Wish is making on the children of the Mid-South! Read More
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Upcoming Events

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May 6, 2025 - May 6, 2025
Sheriff Bonner to Speak at NEXUS Graduation

Sheriff Floyd Bonner will be the keynote speaker at the NEXUS Class of 2025 Graduation in May. This special event will mark

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May 13, 2025 - May 13, 2025
Recruitment for the NEXUS Class of 2026 to begin in May

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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April 8, 2025 - April 8, 2025
NEXUS in MOTION to Take Place on April 8

NEXUS IN MOTION is a favorite among the NEXUS Network.  This year's event will take place on April 8 at Second Presbyterian

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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