Class of 2023

HomeAlumnisClass of 2023

PROTEGES
Will Adair / CrestCore / Construction Project Manager
Lyndal Brumley / La Cherie Weddings / Owner/ Wedding Planner
Sheena Dixon / AutoZone LLC / Category Manager (Buyer)
Peyton East / Union Service Industries, Inc. / Accounting Manager
Ky Evans / Bentley Systems / Internal Communications Specialist
Carrie Fehnel / Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation / Thoracic Oncology Research Program Manager
Kristen Goetzka / International Paper / HR Service Delivery Sustain Coordinator
Brett Harris / GEICO / Tennessee Claims Manager
Brady Johnston / The Williams Company / Vice President of Food, Bakery, Confections, & Ingredients
Jonathan Knight / Alvea / Pre-clinical Strategy Manager
YJ Lee / Connect Helathcare Collaboration / Strategy Marketing Advisor
Tayloe Lowrance / 20twelve / Sales Associate
Andrew Mok / AutoZone, Inc. / Category Manager
Cal Overman / Simmons Bank / Business Development Officer II
Quinn Peebles / Financial Services Representative / Strategic Financial Partners
Michael Peterson / Memphis Shelby County Schools / Teacher
Justin Perry / First Horizon Bank / Private Client Banker
Charles Pittard / PCR insurance / Owner
Daniel Pouget / Simmons Bank / Commercial Portfolio Manager
Jordan Purdham / SSM Partners / Associate
Ashleigh Rainer / Make-A-Wish Mid-South / Volunteer Coordinator
Marcedes Richardson-Davenport / International Paper / HR Generalist
James Ryan / Second Presbyterian Church / Coordinator for Music Outreach and Student Worship
Hunt Steele / International Paper / Account Executive
Elizabeth Steles / First Horizon Corporation / Financial Consultant
Suhey Sturm / Church Health / Manager of Patient Services
Aaron Thompson / First Horizon / Teller
Anna Thompson / New Memphis / Marketing & Communications Manager
Christopher Thompson / Vaco / Recruiter
Logan Tyree / Binghampton Development Corporation / Business Hub Operations Coordinator
Andres Velasquez / LifeDOC Health / Manager/ Applied Research and Data

MENTORS
Mike Allen / Memphis Botanic Garden / Executive Director
Coors Arthur / Hilltop Securities / Trader
Paula Beale / First Horizon Bank / SVP, Brand Strategy and Strategic Partnerships
Terri Bernhardt / Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan, PLC / Attorney/Senior Counsel
Shericka Blair / Memphis Shelby County Schools / Federal Programs Inventory Manager
Rick Brown / Varsity Spirit LLC / SVP/CIO
Albert Carruthers / Memphis Net & Twine Company / President
Faedra Carter / International Paper / Manufacturing Excellence Consultant ( Continuous Improvement)
Allen Chapman / Retired – The Lincoln Electric Company / Memphis District Sales Manager
David Coleman / FedEx / Director, Services Finance
Will Conrad / Amazon AWS / Business Development Lead – Agriculture
Charlene Cox / ALSAC/St. Jude / Sr. Liaison Development – Analytics
Frank Crump / FHN Financial / Senior Vice President – Fixed Income Sales
Joanna Curtis / The University of Memphis / Vice President for Advancement
Ted Davis / Bright Investments LLC / Partner/Wealth Advisor
Olga Dickard / TrueSense Marketing / Senior Account Director
Billy DuBose / International Paper / Pine Chemicals Manager
Matt Gandy / FedEx / Managing Director Air Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Brown Gill / Gill Properties, Inc. / President
Evan Hattan / ID.me / Director of Operations
JJ Keras / Community Volunteer
Janie Lowery / Church Health / Development
Cameron Mann / Methodist Le Bonheur / Director of Corporate Partnerships
Aimee Massey / Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC / Chief Operating Officer
Travis Moody / Life Church / The Lomah Group / Pastor/Mid-South Financial Champion
Don Riley / Discipling Men, Inc. / Executive Director & Founder
Tom Ryan / International Paper Company / Chief Counsel–Global Intellectual Property
Bathsheba Sams / Retired – International Paper / VP – Human Resources
Alissa Campbell Shaw / International Paper / Senior Manager, Global Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Engagement
Ignacio Vincentelli / International Paper / Senior Counsel
Lewis Williamson / Hilltop Securities / Co-Head – Mid-South Region
Kem Wilson / Kemmons Wilson Companies / Principal

Announcements

  • NEXUS Night Out at the Dixon – Celebrating 20 Years

    The NEXUS Network came together for NEXUS Night Out at the Dixon to celebrate 20 years! The special event provided an opportunity for alumni, current participants, and community partners to toast and reflect on the remarkable journey of NEXUS, celebrate the impact NEXUS has had on over 1200 leaders, and share the excitement for the future! GIVE HERE and build the foundation of NEXUS for the next 20 years and... Read More

  • NEXUS IN MOTION with Mayor Young was a Success

    NEXUS IN MOTION is always a class favorite and paired with Memphis Mayor Paul Young as the keynote speaker the event was a success! The event offered opportunities for networking around table discussions with selected topics, and an encouraging message from Memphis Mayor Paul Young.  Special thanks to NEXUS Alumni that returned to lead table discussions including Lynn Ballinger, Jessica Cowan, Charlene Cox, Lori Evans, Steve French, Billie Jo Parker,... Read More

  • Jason Little Delivered an Impactful Message in March

    Jason Little, President and CEO for Baptist Memorial Health Care returned to NEXUS and spoke to the Class of 2024. Jason spoke on the leadership topic of “Building as a Leader”. Jason believes it is important to build a system to lead an organization, culture, career, and team. You must build a system that aligns, with your principles, and has a culture, which is a reflection of behaviors. You must believe... Read More

  • Tammy LoCascio Delivered a Great Message to the Class of 2024

    Tammy LoCascio, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President for First Horizon Bank spoke at the February session to the NEXUS Class of 2024. Tammy shared the importance of communicating as a leader and how to be an effective communicator. Tammy said, “You cannot be a great leader if you are not a great communicator.” To request an audio of this presentation contact NEXUS. Read More

  • NEXUS Featured in River City Lifestyle

    NEXUS is featured in the February issue of River City Lifestyle. As we celebrate 20 years of NEXUS, the article captures the true meaning of NEXUS and honors our mission as we strengthen Memphis one leader at a time. River City Lifestyle is a local publication that is a hub for uplifting local stories, businesses and experiences. To read the article CLICK HERE. Read More

  • New NEXUS Podcast Release with Guest Caroline Kuebler

    New Release – “The NEXUS Intersection” – A NEXUS Podcast Check out the latest episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” with Caroline Kuebler, Director of Development for the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis & NEXUS Alumni. Co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt. JUMP IN to this podcast with Caroline as she shares about being a “Value Based Giver”. Caroline uses her expertise everyday with donors on how to build a giving... Read More

  • Elizabeth Rouse First Speaker in 2024

    “Questions should inspire others.” – Elizabeth Rouse Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO for ARTSmemphis spoke at the first session of 2024.  The Class of 2024 had the opportunity to hear Elizabeth on January 4 share on the topic of “Asking the Right Questions”.  Elizabeth feels that questions can do many things – It shows you care, is a great way to communicate, empowers us, provides personal growth, inspires us, shows others... Read More

  • Sridhar Sunkara Shares On Newest Podcast Episode

    NEW RELEASE – NEXUS Alumni and Board member Sridhar Sunkara shares on the newest episode of the NEXUS podcast “The NEXUS Intersection” with co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt. Sridhar is CEO of eBiz Solutions and works among global leaders in technology. He shares on the topic of “Technology & Leadership” including the benefits and challenges leaders are faced with today regarding technology. And why it’s so important to be... Read More

  • Ericka DeBruce Shared in December

    Ericka DeBruce, Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital spoke at the December Session to the NEXUS Class of 2024. Ericka spoke on the important topic “Intentionally Being a Diverse and Inclusive Leader”. Read More

  • The NEXUS Intersection Podcast with co-Founder Sandy Willson

    New Release – “The NEXUS Intersection” – A NEXUS Podcast Co-founder of NEXUS Sandy Willson sat down with Heather Hunt and Ephie Johnson to talk about the vision he had for NEXUS and 20 years later why mentoring matters. Listen to the newest episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” titled “The NEXUS Vision & Why Mentoring”. Sandy shares about why NEXUS was founded and the purpose we continue to fulfill for... Read More
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Upcoming Events

April 25, 2024 - April 25, 2024
Recruitment Efforts for the Class of 2025 Begin in April

We will host an Informational Recruitment Reception on Thursday, April 25 at 5:30pm for interested Protégé and Mentor

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November 15, 2023 - June 30, 2023
NEXUS 20th Anniversary Funding Campaign

This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 20 years of developing, encouraging, and equipping leaders who have

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May 2, 2024 - May 2, 2024
Sandy Willson Returns for Class of 2024 Graduation

Sandy Willson, Interim President of The Gospel Coalition and Pastor Emeritus at Second Presbyterian Church will speak at

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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