Class of 2018

NEXUS PROTEGES

Hunter Acosta

ADPDistrict Manager

Millie Adams

ALSAC/St. JudeSpecialist – Endurance Programs & Partners,
Fitness

Jeremy Andrews

BRIDGESStrategic Partnership Officer

Sara Beshires

Frazee Ivy DavisAuditor

Quintilianus Carger

Budget Car & Truck Rental of Memphis Branch Manager

Amanda Carpenter

ServiceMaster Business Process Solutions Analyst

Calvin Davis

Helena Chemical IT Decision Support Analyst

Laura Dickerson

First Tennessee Bank Data Analyst

Jay Edwards

Raymond James & Associates Financial Advisor

Austin Ehrat

CBRE, Inc. Associate

Sheleah Harris

Agape/Living Grace Memphis Community Coordinator

Kanesha Hines

Medtronic Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Alana Hu

First Horizon National Corporation Community Investment Manager

Stewart Hunt

Church Health Executive Assistant to CEO

Geoffrey Lewis

Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division Staff Attorney

Karlisa Kuykindall

United Way of the Mid-South Community Engagement
Associate

Matthew Marrapode

Medtronic Spinal & Biologics Research &Development
Engineer

Chris Memminger

NAVY Executive Officer

Amber Munchow

Frazee Ivy Davis Staff Accountant

Keith K. Okello

FedEx Services Finance Manager

Chris Pruett

Southern Sun Asset Management Associate

Alex Pope

Capital Financial Financial Advisor

Tarryn Sanchez

inferno Account Executive

Adee Shankle

International Paper College Relations Specialist

Parish Sharkey

EAG, Inc. Project Manager

Louisa Shepherd

LITE Memphis Alumni Director

Erica Siddell

St. Jude/ALSAC Employee Engagement Manager

Cooper Smith

Shoemaker Financial Financial Advisor

Meredith Taylor

Whole Foods Market Marketing & Community Liasion

Steven Thomas

AutoZone Marketing Program Manager

Bryant-Joshua Turner

ServiceMaster Scrum Master

Kierra D Warren

FedEx Services Senior Marketing Specialist

Worth Whitten

Deloitte & Touche LLP Audit Senior Assistant

Elizabeth Wilcox

Triumph Bank Medical & Professional Banking Portfolio

Terrence Williams

Varangon Academy Youth Counselor

NEXUS MENTORS

Julie Ashby

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Director, Brand Marketing &
Development

Joey Bland

Commercial Advisors, LLC Vice President-Team Leader Farmland
Advisors

Priscilla Bland

Christ Methodist Day School Teacher

Teresa Blanton

Medtronic, Inc. Business Process Analyst

Sonji Branch

Communities in Schools for Tennessee Executive Director

Carl Carter

International Paper Associate General Counsel

Leslie Coleman

International Paper Business Human Resources Manager

Reggie Davis

Streets Ministries Executive Director

Rebecca Dupuy

International Paper Global Sourcing Consultant/Process Steward

Pam Faulk

Commercial Advisors Asset Services, LLC Senior VP Asset Management

Jeb Fields

Cushman Wakefield Commercial Advisors
Principal

Ed Garrison

International Paper Director
Leadership
Development

Cecil Godman

Mercury Investment Group Chief Marketing Officer & Partner

Angela Hill

City of Memphis Youth and Family Administrator

Andrea Hill

Leadership Memphis Director of Volunteer Memphis

Shelley Hill

Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc. Chief Strategy & Execution
Officer

Alex Ivy

Frazee Ivy Davis, PLCMember

Mark Jenkins

Commercial Advisors, LLCEVP
Principal

Lori Kirkpatrick

Commercial Advisors, LLC CFO

Caroline Kuebler

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Director of
Development

Margaret McDonald

Girls Inc. of Memphis Development Officer

Larry Papasan

Smith & NephewRetired President

Lesley Patel

ALSAC St. Jude
Director-Marketing Operations

Don Riley

Discipling Men, Inc. Executive Director & Founder

Jeff Sample

United States District Court Case Administrator

Amy Simpson

TruGreenSenior Director-Corporate Communications

Elizabeth Smith

Commercial Bank & Trust CompanyVice President & Bank Loan
Officer

Gregg Smith

Wiseacre Brewing

Greg Spillyards

Commercial Advisors, LLCEVP

Rhea Taylor

Americraft Carton, Inc.President

Rob Walters

International Paper Senior Manager-IT Strategy & Planning

Andre’ Wilkes

Renasant Bank Associate Managing Director

Roby Williams

Black Business Association of MemphisPresident

Allison Willingham

Raymond James FVP

Kem Wilson

Kemmons Wilson Companies Principal

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

Upcoming Events

May 13, 2025 - May 13, 2025
NEXUS Recruitment Event on May 13

Recruitment will begin for the NEXUS Class of 2026 with a Recruitment Reception on May 13; 5:30-6:30pm at Second

Read More

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