Message from NEXUS Board Chair

May 17, 2018 Uncategorized

May 2018

This year NEXUS is celebrating 15 years! I am proud to say I have been involved in NEXUS most of those years as a Mentor, volunteer, Program Committee member, and Board member. The NEXUS experience is so unique and I learn something each time I am around members of the NEXUS Network. As a program, we have evolved, engaged, encouraged, equipped, and educated over 850 principle-center leader graduates.

As we move forward, the Board wants to continue to enhance and engage individuals and the Memphis community through mentoring and connecting. To that end, NEXUS is excited to announce a new program called NEXUS CONNECT. NEXUS CONNECT will focus on the importance of connecting individuals, continued mentoring, and coaching relationships outside of the existing NEXUS program. NEXUS CONNECT is designed to foster relationships over the various stages of an individual’s professional career. James Armfield, who has served NEXUS in different areas including as a Board member and facilitator, will lead the efforts of NEXUS CONNECT.

A highlight this past year was announcing the Memphis Mentoring Awards presented by NEXUS. Each year, at our annual Leadership Luncheon we recognize leaders across the city who devote their time to mentoring. This year, the recipients included: Memphis Athletic Ministries, Bena Cates, Willie Baldwin, and Caroline Kuebler, who was the recipient of the Sandy Willson Outstanding NEXUS Mentoring Award. Congratulations!

NEXUS appreciates the ongoing support and efforts of so many who make this program successful each year. We give a heartfelt thanks to the committed partners who share our vision of building a stronger Memphis through the duplication of principle-centered leaders: AutoZone, Baptist Memorial Health Care, eBiz Solutions, FedEx, First Tennessee Foundation, International Paper Foundation, Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation, and The Marston Group.

NEXUS continues to positively impact individuals and our community and we are so excited about what the future holds for the program, our city, and members of the NEXUS Network.

On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, congratulations to the Mentors and Protégés of the graduating NEXUS Class of 2018!

Sincerely,

Bathsheba Sams
NEXUS Board Chair


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Announcements

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  • Monica Wharton Shares with Class of 2025

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  • NEXUS Volunteers with AKA on CHIPPS Project

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  • NEXUS Volunteers at Make-A-Wish

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  • Lori Evans on the Newest Episode of “The NEXUS Intersection” Podcast

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  • Class of 2025 Kicks Off with Dr. Russ Wigginton

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  • Mike Allen Named Kem Wilson NEXUS Leadership Award Recipient

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Upcoming Events

January 14, 2025 - February 11, 2025
Winter Workshop Series – Communicating with the Enneagram + AI

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December 31, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Think of NEXUS With Your Year End Giving!

THINK OF NEXUS WITH YOUR YEAR-END GIVING!  Over the past 20 years, NEXUS has trained more than1200 graduates motivated to

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January 7, 2025 - January 7, 2025
Christian Owen to Share in January

Members of the current NEXUS class will begin 2025 with Christian Owen, Founder and Publisher of RiverCity Lifestyle

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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