Class of 2025

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PROTEGES

Emmanuel Amido AgroTech Noire Founder
Janie BeanBlossom Hobson Realtors Affiliate Broker
Sara Boscarino Sylvamo Communications Specialist II
Jared Bulluck Regional One Health Foundation Development Officer
Lance Canterbury AutoZone Tax Technology Manager
Taylor Cook First Horizon Bank Senior Portfolio Manager
Elliott Farmer Trustmark National Bank Commercial Portfolio Manager
Parker Francis First Horizon Bank Portfolio Manager
Tiffany D. Futch ALSAC St. Jude Talent Strategy & Organizational Development Consultant
Scott Hamilton First Horizon Bank Treasury Management Digital Product Manager
Rebecca Hamm New Memphis Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Finesse James State of Tennessee TennCare Appeals Program Coordinator
Caroline Kam FedEx Project Management Analyst
JaNaya Lowery Baptist Memorial HealthCare Corporation Corporate Human Resources Representative
Yhazsmin Mason St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital HR Generalist
Morgan Millon Memphis Literacy Institute Literacy Conference Lead
Johnathan Moffett Sylvamo Corporation Supply Chain Team Lead
George Moore City Year Memphis Learning & Development Director
Lauren Morgan The Bank of Fayette County Community Development Officer
McKenzie Podesta AutoZone Attorney
Alan Michael Pope Strategic Financial Partners Financial Services Representative
Sam Pope Cool Roofs, Co. Director of Operations
Henry Sanders SBM Management Services Sr Manager
Barrett Smith FedEx Pilot
Tierney Smith First Horizon Bank Private Client Financial Services – Client Specialist
Katherine Stanifer VC3 Client Relationship Manager
Kim Stephens International Paper Business Process Specialist
Paige Stubbs Memphis Shelby County Schools Assistant Principal
Francisco Javier Trujillo Barrientos The Marson Group, PLC Staff Associate
Mackenzie Pirtle VanAusdall Orpheum Theatre Group Development Manager & Grant Writer
Nicholas Weaver New Memphis Director of Community Action
Justin Wiley International Paper Data Analyst
Kam Wilson Westminster Academy & Imago Dei Fitness Teacher/Founder

MENTORS

Ashli Avis Make-A-Wish Mid-South VP of Program Services
Brandon Byrd Delta Asset Management VP-Portfolio Manager
Jim Calhoun Delta Field Services CFO
Neki Catron Sylvamo Global Community Engagement & Inclusion & Diversity Leader
Ramanda Clayborn Sylvamo HR Director North America
Chris Coleman Teach For America Memphis Executive Director
Ginger Collier Community Volunteer
Damon Conley Second Presbyterian Church Assistant Pastor
Stacey Crenshaw Billie’s Pecans & More, Inc. Owner
Amy Beth Dudley Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Director of Donor Services
Sarah Farrell Memphis Fire Department Project Manager
Greg Foster Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor
Dick Fisher Paul & Sonia Jones Family Office CEO of affiliate, Red Hills Fishery, LLC; Director of Internal Audit
Dot Fisher Community Volunteer
Beverly Gates Monogram Foods EVP & Chief Legal Officer
Howard Graham The Center – Memphis Executive Director
Jeanice Hayslett International Paper BI & Analytics Development Manager
Ephie Johnson Neighborhood Christian Center President & CEO
Stephanie Jones Christian Community Foundation Director, Donor Advised Funds/Relations
Aimee Massey Chief Operating Officer ATA Advisory, LLC
Andy McArtor FedEx Pilot
Gordon McIntyre Retired – William Equipment + Supply Co.
Travis Moody Forward Memphis CEO
Edward Newby State of TN Department of Children Services HR Director
Beth Price The Marston Group Managing Principal
Paige Proctor Interior Designer
Don Riley Discipling Men, Inc. Executive Director & Founder
Cheryl Rollins Retired – International Paper Retired – Finance / Accounting
Tom Ryan International Paper Chief Counsel, Intellectual Propery & Latin American
Bathsheba Sams Retired – International Paper Human Resources
Sridhar Sunkara eBiz Solutions CEO
Sabrina Townsend International Paper Manager-Global HR Operations
Paul Tuberville Retired – International Paper Legal Counsel
Ignacio Vincentelli International Paper Senior Counsel
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal

Announcements

  • NEXUS IN MOTION was a SUCCESS

    The NEXUS IN MOTION session took place in April. This special event offered members of the NEXUS Network the opportunity to network, have table discussions on timely topics led by NEXUS Alumni, and to be inspired by a keynote message from David Jordan, President & CEO Agape Child & Family Services Inc. on “Dreaming as a Leader”. Special thanks to those NEXUS Alumni that returned to lead table discussions: Christy... Read More

  • 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
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

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April 7, 2026 - April 7, 2026
NEXUS to Celebrate Class of 2026

On May 7, NEXUS will celebrate and honor members of the Class of 2026 with Graduation. Mayor Paul Young will join us with

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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