NEXUS Board Chair Reflects on This Past Year

May 17, 2021 Uncategorized

May 2021

These past fourteen months have looked more different than we could have ever imagined, and we have learned more about each other and our world than we ever thought.

I am proud of the NEXUS Board of Directors for their dedication and commitment as we have led together.  Our Board knows the importance of relationships and were determined to fulfill that need for the Mentor and Protégé participants.  I am proud of the volunteers that serve on the NEXUS Program Committee;  they have been dynamic and creative as the environment and sessions changed monthly.

I am proud of the NEXUS Class of 2021 for entrusting us to provide a safe and successful NEXUS experience.  This year’s Mentors and Proteges began meeting in-person in August through November with masks and social distancing.   In December and January, the class met via zoom due to the spike in COVID-19 numbers paired with the holiday season.  We came back together in-person in February through the spring and are celebrating with Graduation in the Garden in May.  We have continued to offer a virtual option throughout the year for those not comfortable meeting in-person.

I am proud of our partners who have continued to support NEXUS and also led our city through a world pandemic.  We want to express our sincere gratitude to those committed individuals and partners who share our vision of building a stronger Memphis through the duplication of principle-centered leaders.  Our partners include AutoZone, Baptist Memorial Health CareeBiz Solutions,  First Horizon Foundation, International Paper Foundation, Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation, and The Marston Group.  A special thanks to Memphis Botanic Garden for hosting the Graduation in the Garden event to celebrate the NEXUS Class of 2021 and Class of 2020.

As this year comes to an end and we start to plan for the Class of 2022, we are committed to provide an engaging & interactive experience for both mentors and proteges no matter what the environment looks like.  The NEXUS experience is proven!

On behalf of the NEXUS Board of Directors, congratulations to the Class of 2021! 

Bathsheba Sams, NEXUS Board Chairman


Share:

Announcements

  • 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
  • November Session with Memphis Grizzlies Jason Wexler

    The NEXUS Class of 2024 hosted Jason Wexler, President for the Memphis Grizzlies at the November Session. Jason shared on the topic of “Motivating as a Leader” and how he personally is motivated and how he motivates his team. Read More
  • Mike Allen Shares on NEXUS Podcast – Episode 5

    In the newest episode of the NEXUS podcast, “The NEXUS Intersection” co-hosts Ephie Johnson and Heather Hunt have a conversation with Mike Allen, Executive Director of the Memphis Botanic Garden and NEXUS Mentor. Mike shares the things he has learned through his three different acts as a corporate employee, entrepreneur, and a non-profit leader – all end with the same theme “Mike Gives Back”. To listen click HERE. Read More
  • Tom Cleves Returned to NEXUS

    Tom Cleves, SVP – Corporate Affairs for Sylvamo returned to NEXUS in October. Tom shared the importance of “Focusing as a Leader” with the Class of 2024. He challenged everyone to ask themselves “What’s the one most important thing today?”. Figure out what matters and give it your undivided attention. To request the speaker’s audio email heather@nexusleaders.org. Read More
  • The NEXUS Intersection Podcast – Episode Four Released

    Ignacio Vincentelli is the guest on the newly released NEXUS Podcast and talks about “Building Your Personal Team”. He shares the decisions he has made and how he has utilized “his team” along the way and why it’s so important to live in the present. Ignacio is Senior Counsel for International Paper and a NEXUS Alumni and Board member. LISTEN HERE. Read More
  • Sylvia Martinex Kicked Off Sessions for 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

Upcoming Events

January 4, 2024 - January 4, 2024
Elizabeth Rouse to be First Speaker in 2024

Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO for ARTSmemphis will speak at the first session of 2024.  The Class of 2024 will have

Read More
November 15, 2023 - May 15, 2023
Celebrating 20 Years – Funding Campaign

I am thrilled to share that NEXUS is celebrating an incredible milestone - 20 years!  This remarkable journey has been made

Read More
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

Read More

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