Class of 2020

NEXUS Class of 2020
Mentor Company Position
Michael Allen / Memphis Botanic Garden / Executive Director
Ashli Avis / Make A Wish of the MidSouth / Vice President of Program Services
Teresa Blanton / Medtronic, Inc. / Business Process Analyst
Bo Braswell / Managing Director / Raymond James
Reggie Davis / New Memphis Institute / Director of Alumni Activation
Edward Dobbs / Dobbs Management Services / President
Kelly Drozd / ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Manager – Agile Delivery (Marketing Operations)
Rebecca Dupuy / International Paper / Manager, Global Sourcing
Brian Eason / Cobuilt, LLC / CEO
Duncan Galbreath / First Tennessee Bank / VP-Commercial Banking
Ed Garrison / International Paper / Director, Leadership Development
Jacqueline Gatewood / International Paper / Leadership Consultant
Ken Hall / Church Health / Special Events Manager
Olivia Hammond / Indigo Ag / GMA Program Manager
Felicia Hartsfield / The Influence1 Foundation / Chief Operations Officer
Reneka Hawkins / Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare / Social Work Supervisor
Charlotte Henderson / Reynolds Bone & Griesbeck / Tax Partner
Ron Hickman / Second Presbyterian Church / Ministry Executive
Bliss Hicky / Retired Banker / Farm Management
Shelley Hill / HR Compensation Leader / Retired
Caroline Kuebler / Community Foundation of Greater Memphis / Director of Development
Drayton Mayers / TeamLogic IT / President & Owner
Erinn Monette / International Paper / Customer Service Manager – Containerboard
Edward Newby / Bow Wave Coaching / Head Coaching Consultant
Larry Papasan / Smith & Nephew / Retired President
Cliff Posman / Retired / Orthopedic Surgeon
Sharon Posman / Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance LLC / Sr. Vice President – Certified Personal Risk Manager
Don Riley / Discipling Men, Inc./ Executive Director & Founder
Chuck Smith / National Guard Products, Inc / Chairman
Tish Towns / Regional One Health / Chief Administrative Officer
Ignacio Vincentelli / International Paper / Senior Counsel
Bradley Wilford / Cushman & Wakefield /Commercial Advisors / VP Asset Management
Dale Williams / University of Memphis / Academic Advisor
Joe Williams / Agape North / President
Shad Williams / Teletracking / SVP of Commercial Business
Audrey Willis / Shelby County Government / Manager of Innovation and Performance Analysis
Kem Wilson / Kemmons Wilson Companies / Principal
Triena Winbery / Retired / Non Profit Fundraising

Protégé Company Position
Samantha Albert / Mercer Capital/ Senior Financial Analyst
Preston Albertine / STREETS Ministries / Development Coordinator
Taylor Cao / St. George’s Independent School / Classroom Instructor
Charles Cook / Primerica Cook and Associates / Sales Lead
Reid Cates / AutoZone / Senior Category Manager
Jessica Cowan / New Memphis / Manager of Collegiate Engagement
Jeremy Crooks / ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Production Designer II
Sebastiaan de Kok / HealthLink International Inc. / Director of Operations
Olga Dickard / ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Director of Direct Response, Retention
Meredith Duncan / Ballet Memphis / Donor Relations Manager
Bryanna Fields / Kemmons Wilson Insurance Group / Risk Placement Specialist
Alex Fountain / ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Manager – Field Development
Hope Francis / Sanctuary Counseling Center / Marketing & Communications Manager
Quentin Hendree / ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Account Representative
Jillian Hunt / First Horizon National Corporation / Risk Compliance Officer
Matt Jones / 6AM CoreCollective / Operations Manager
Blawna Lewis / Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare / IT Edu Training Specialist
Nate Mahrt / Second Presbyterian Church-Campus Outreach / Area Director
Aria Miles / Momentum Nonprofit Partners / Director of Research and Public Policy
Geoffrey Morris / Butler Snow LLP / Associate
Jared Moses / Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. / Administrative Director
Karon Nash / ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital / Graphic Designer III
Kyle Neuhalfen / Allegis Global Solutions / Recruiting Manager
Hanna Oysel / Adams Keegan, Inc. / Client Service Manager
Fred Quarles / Church Health YMCA / Senior Program Director
Warren Ransom / Absolute Storage Management, Inc. / Property Accountant
Zipporah Robinson / AmeriCorps VISTA/ Grizzlies Prep / Mentor Coordinator
Jared Rodgers / Brighton Bank / Assistant Vice-President/Risk Analyst
Pratt Rogers / CBRE / Associate
Charlie Scheel / Oak Hall / Head of People
Briana Scott / Shelby County Schools / Math Teacher
Bridget Sisney / Self Employed / Wellness/ Yoga Practitioner
Darren Thomas / Porter-Leath / Development Officer
Robyn Watson / International Paper Co. / IT Asset Management Specialist
Glenn Wegener / Industrial Capital Holdings / Vice President
Mary Whitehorn / International Paper / HR Generalist
Kenneth Worles / Threei Creative Communications / President & Chief Creative Director
Rachel Woyt / Lincoln Electric / Technical Sales Engineer

Announcements

  • First Speaker Session for the Class of 2024

    The first speaker session for the NEXUS Class of 2024 took place on September 7 with Sylvia Martinez. Sylvia is the newly announced CEO for Girls, Inc. Sylvia shared about her journey as a leader and the things she has learned along the way focused on the leadership topic of “Planning”. Read More
  • NEXUS Podcast – Episode Three Released

    A NEXUS Podcast – THE NEXUS INTERSECTION The third episode of the NEXUS Podcast with co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt. A conversation with NEXUS Alumni and Program Committee volunteer William Franklin. William shares the tough conversations he had with himself and mentors as he “Transition Careers” from a safe, corporate position to being employee number four with a startup company. William is currently the Vice President for Path... Read More
  • NEW Podcast Release

    “The NEXUS Intersection” – A NEXUS Podcast The NEXUS podcast provides a diverse approach to leadership with interviews from NEXUS Alumni and key leaders in our city about timely topics, leadership journeys, and the backbone of any good leader – their mentors. Check out the second episode with co-hosts Ephie Ballard Johnson and Heather Hunt and the meaningful conversation with NEXUS Alumni Cami Fields. Cami is Manager of Strategic Marketing... Read More
  • NEXUS Launches Podcast “The NEXUS Intersection”

    This podcast will provide a diverse approach to leadership with interviews from NEXUS Alumni and key leaders in our city about timely topics, leadership journeys, and the backbone of any good leader – their mentors. We created this podcast titled “The NEXUS Intersection”, to provide our listeners with a diverse approach to leadership by interviewing NEXUS alumni and other key leaders in our community. In each episode, our co-hosts Ephie... Read More
  • Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!

    Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2023!! NEXUS successfully provided an engaging and meaningful NEXUS experience this year. NEXUS recently celebrated the Class of 2023 with NEXUS Graduation. This special event was hosted at the office of Kemmons Wilson Companies with Kayla Rodriguez Graff as the keynote speaker. On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, it was a privilege to honor Kem Wilson, jr. and announce the Kem Wilson... Read More
  • NEXUS Night Out was a Success

    The annual NEXUS Night Out was a success bringing the current class participants and NEXUS Alumni together to connect. Special thanks to NEXUS ALumni Norma and Kem Wilson for hosting this event. To learn more about how to re-engage as a NEXUS Alum contact heather@nexusleaders.org. Read More
  • NEXUS IN MOTION

    NEXUS IN MOTION took place on Thursday, April 13 with Alumni returning and serving as a table leaders along with a keynote message. The event provide valuable face time and personal interaction among members of the NEXUS Network. Dr. Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum was the keynote speaker on the topic of “Dreaming as a Leader.” Special Thanks to the TABLE LEADERS Including Their TOPICS LYNN... Read More
  • NEXUS + Streets Ministries

    Members of the NEXUS Class of 2023 recently volunteered at the Graham location of Streets Ministries. Each year, NEXUS selects non-profits to learn more about and volunteer with. Streets Ministries is impacting the youth in our city daily. Read More
  • NEXUS Welcomes the Class of 2024

    The Class of 2024 began their NEXUS experience in August with Orientation. The successful event provided an opportunity for Mentors and Proteges to connect with fellow class participants, learn about individual strengths, and participate in training. The impact of the Mentor/Protégé relationship and the interactive, teaching lessons from key Memphis leaders paired with a proven curriculum continues to make NEXUS unique. The Orientation provided the foundation for a successful year... Read More
  • NEXUS Class of 2023 Meet & Greet

    NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentors and Proteges had the opportunity to meet fellow class members and NEXUS Board of Directors prior to the class orientation. Special thanks to Perkins-Everitt Lighting & Controls for hosting. Read More

Upcoming Events

December 7, 2023 - December 7, 2023
NEXUS December Speaker Will Be Ericka DeBruce

Ericka DeBruce, Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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November 2, 2023 - November 2, 2023
Jason Wexler Will Speak on Nov. 2

The NEXUS Class of 2024 2ill host Jason Wexler, President for the Memphis Grizzlies to speak on the leadership topic

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October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
Tom Cleves Returns to NEXUS on 10.5.23

Tom Cleves, SVP – Corporate Affairs for Slyvamo will return to NEXUS and speak to the Class of 2024 on the topic of

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Partners

Testimonials

  • Daniel Pouget, VP – Commercial Banker, Simmons Bank & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Cameron Mann, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Methodist Le Bonheur & NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentor

  • YJ Lee, Marketing Advisor, Connect Healthcare & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Faedra Carter, Manufacturing Excellence Consultant, International Paper & NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentor

  • Travis Moody, CEO, Forward Memphis & NEXUS Class of 2023 Mentor

  • Will Adair, Construction Project Manager, CrestCore & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Andrew Mok, Category Manager, AutoZone & NEXUS Class of 2023 Protégé

  • Amy Beth Dudley, Dir. of Donor Services, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis & NEXUS Board member

    “Mentoring relationships are crucial for both personal and professional growth. Through NEXUS, I have had the honor of both having a mentor and serving as one. A mentor walking alongside you to rejoice in successes and coach you through difficult situations makes all the difference. Serving on the board of NEXUS allows me to provide that connection and opportunity for others in our community.” Amy Beth Dudley, Dir. of Donor Services, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis & NEXUS Board member
  • Mason Massey, Assistant Marketing Manager, AutoZone, NEXUS Class of 2022 Protégé

    “This is a unique opportunity to engage with both, peers and mentors, on current issues facing Memphis and beyond that is difficult to replicate. The relationship with my Mentor is something that I value greatly and will extend beyond the dates of the NEXUS program. It is difficult to put the relationship into words, as it is more of a friendship with someone who has much more life experience and accolades, but it has grown organically without feeling forced and I am very grateful for that.”
  • Jeanette O’Bryant, Development Director, Collage Dance Collective, NEXUS Class of 2022 Mentor

    “This is one of the many great and satisfying programs that Memphis has to further develop and strengthen relationships and support in our community and our careers. I appreciate NEXUS so much for the opportunity and the wonderfully crafted sessions and speakers who graced us often with invaluable knowledge, testimonials and stories that seemed to fit me each month of my personal journey. Jeanette O’Bryant, Development Director, Collage Dance Collective, NEXUS Class of 2022 Mentor