Current Class – Class of 2026

HomeAlumnisCurrent Class – Class of 2026

PROTEGES
Shannon Bowsher Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
Gus Carter FTN Financial
Joey Carton Delta Field Services
Oliver Cobb Linden Street Capital
John Edwards Financial Federal Bank
Layton Estes The Marston Group
Jessica Futch AutoZone
Justin Green Syvamo
Donae Gooden The J.M. Smucker Company
Demitrius Halliburton Coleman Contractors & Design
John Henley Valentine Insurance Group
Joel Jarnagin First Horizon Bank
Lee Jennings First Horizon Bank
Kandyce Johnson International Paper
Andy Jones VML
Veronica McChristian AutoZone
Rebecca Mertins Regional One Health Foundation
Davis Owen Self-Employed
Landis Penro Canopy Nation
Esther Calderon Rodriguez Darsalud Management
Natalie Smith Windyke Country Club
Andrea Granadillo Suels St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Mawelanda Takeli International Paper
Will West Louis Dreyfus Company
Jordan Wright Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation

MENTORS
Jake Adams First Horizon Bank
Oscar Adams Raymond James
Coors Arthur Hilltop Securities
Bo Braswell
Sherri Brooks Baptist Memorial Health Care
Chris Coleman Teach For America Memphis
David Coleman Retired Director of Finance – FedEx
Fred Day Fred Day, CPA
Ottie Dixon Independent Consultant
Cecil Godman Mercury Investment Group
Howard Graham The Center – Memphis
Gayatri Jaishankar “GJ” Methodist University Hospital
Caroline Kuebler Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Charmaine Kyles West Fraser
Edward Newby State of TN Department of Children Services
Levernese Mell International Paper
Roz Odell Morgan Stanley
Jon Rich Gloo
Kimberlee Richards The Flourishing Agency
Don Riley Discipling Men, Inc.
Cheryl Rollins Retired – International Paper
May Walker Shelby Electric
Kathleen Weatherford Entrepreneur + Author
Lewis Williamson Hilltop Securities
Kem Wilson Kemmons Wilson Companies

Announcements

  • 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

  • Doug McGowan Shared with NEXUS Class of 2026

    Doug McGowan, President and CEO for MLGW spoke to the NEXUS Class of 2026 at the October session. Doug is a dynamic leader that spoke on the topic of “Planning as a Leader”. Doug’s remarks and examples provided valuable take-aways applicable to everyone. He discussed four kinds of Work/Buckets -Day to Day Work -Process Improvement -Break Through Thinking -Critical/Crisis Action Planning Plan + Metrics / Activity + Outcome / Measure... Read More

  • First NEXUS Class of 2026 Session a Success with Dr. Coopwood

    Dr. Reginald Coopwood, President & CEO for Regional One Health spoke at the first session to the NEXUS Class of 2026. Dr. Coopwood did excellent job speaking on his experiences as proven community-focused leader and a visionary. He shared a few things he believes makes an effective leader including culture is the most important thing and it starts with the top. The leader sets the expectations. NEXUS Alumni are invited... Read More
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Upcoming Events

April 7, 2026 - April 7, 2026
NEXUS IN MOTION on April 7 with David Jordan

NEXUS IN MOTION will take place on April 7 at Second Presbyterian Church at 5:30pm. This special event offers members of

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March 3, 2026 - March 3, 2026
March Session with AutoZone’s Rebecca Givens Rice

Rebecca Givens Rice, Vice President of Human Resources for AutoZone will share on March 3 with the NEXUS Class of 2026 on

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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