Home - Nexus Leaders | Encourage and equip the next generation of leaders for Memphis through proven mentoring, teaching, and service.

NEXUS Class

Each year the NEXUS Class begins in August with an Orientation. Paired with a proven curriculum, participants will hear key leaders speak upon leadership topics and have opportunities to learn about different non-profits in our community. The mentor-protege relationship is the key component of the NEXUS program, these relationships will grow throughout the NEXUS experience.
NEXUS in Motion

This past spring NEXUS IN MOTION took place with NEXUS Alumni rotating and speaking on timely topics including "Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone", "The New Normal" and "Leadership at all Levels". Special thanks to Sam Coates, Christina Cook, and Cindy Klatt for sharing. l
NEXUS Night Out

Members of the NEXUS Network attended the annual NEXUS NIGHT OUT event this spring at the home of NEXUS Alumni Norma and Kem Wilson. The event offered the opportunity to connect and re-connect with fellow members of the NEXUS Network.
NEXUS Volunteers

Each year, the NEXUS Class volunteers in the community. Members of the NEXUS Class of 2022 volunteered at the Mid-South Food Bank. The NEXUS volunteers helped prepare more than 6,500 pounds of food for distribution to those in need.
Monthly Sessions

Each Month NEXUS hosts Local Key Leaders to Speak to Mentors and Proteges about Leadership Topics NEXUS believes each leader must master
Graduation at the Theatre

In May, we are excited to celebrate the mentors and protege of the NEXUS Class of 2022 with Graduation at the Theatre. Special thanks to Theatre Memphis for hosting this special event.

Nexus Experience

The need to encourage and equip the next generation of community leaders in Memphis is obvious to those who know our city best. To meet this demand, our young leaders need a place where they can learn proven leadership skills in a mutually challenging environment from top-flight coaches and mentors. Such a place is called NEXUS: A Proven Experience in Leadership.

Linking Mentoring and Leadership

In addition to the leadership development that NEXUS provides; the key component of the NEXUS Program is the mentor/protege relationship. NEXUS knows mentoring best! NEXUS pairs mentors and protege, based on the protege needs, to go through the ten-month program together. Both the mentor and protege learn from each other throughout the experience.

Nexus Engage

An ongoing goal is to keep members of the NEXUS Network engage within the NEXUS Program and our city. NEXUS Alumni and current participants are key leaders within the community who want to continue to have a pulse of the needs of our city, the Memphis leadership community, and young emerging leaders of the next generation.

NEXUS on COVID-19

The health and safety for members of the NEXUS Network is the utmost importance to NEXUS. NEXUS has proven to provide a safe environment for our participants while developing leaders in an interactive and engaging experience. We will continue follow all meeting guidelines provided by the Shelby County Health Department.

Announcements

NEXUS NIGHT OUT

Members of the NEXUS Network attended the annual NEXUS NIGHT OUT event this spring at the home of NEXUS Alumni Norma and Kem Wilson. The event offered the opportunity to connect and re-connect with fellow members of the NEXUS Network. Special thanks to the Wilsons for hosting the event. Read More
Sharing the Success of NEXUS IN MOTION

Each year NEXUS invites NEXUS Alumni to return and share on timely topics at NEXUS IN MOTION. This year the NEXUS Class of 2022 hosted Sam Coates, Christina Cook, and Cindy Klatt who spoke on important topics which included Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone, New Normal Workplace, and Leadership at all Levels. The evening provided messages that impacted those in attendance and an opportunity for several alumni to attend... Read More
Celebrating the Class of 2022!

Congratulations to the NEXUS Class of 2022!! NEXUS successfully provided an engaging and meaningful NEXUS experience this year. NEXUS recently celebrated the Class of 2022 with NEXUS Graduation at the Theatre. This special event was hosted at Theatre Memphis with NEXUS Alumni and Former Memphis Grizzlies Coach Lionel Hollins as the keynote speaker. Special thanks to the mentor and protégé participants for their dedication; Board members and volunteers for their... Read More
Indigo Ag’s Barry Knight Shared at NEXUS

It was an honor to have Barry Knight, Senior Vice President of Indigo Ag speak to the NEXUS Class of 2022 at the March session. Barry spoke on the topic of “Focusing as a Leader” and shared what his mentors have taught him through the years. Read More
Tracee Walls Visited NEXUS

It was an honor to have Tracee Walls, Managing Director, Human Resources – Equity, Inclusion & Engagement for FedEx Ground speak at the NEXUS Class of 2022 February session. Tracee shared on the importance of planning as a diverse leader. Read More
Mid-South’s Food Bank Cathy Pope Shared in January

Due to the surge of Covid cases with the Omicron variant, the January NEXUS Session took place via zoom. After participants shared their 2022 motto, Cathy Pope, President and CEO of the Mid-South Food Bank Cathy spoke on the topic of “Communicating as a Leader”. The health and safety of the members of the NEXUS Network’s is priority; we will adhere to recommendations made by the Shelby County Health Department. ... Read More
International Paper’s Tom Plath Joined NEXUS in a Conversation

The NEXUS Class of 2022 is having a conversation with Tom Plath, Senior Vice President-Human Resources and Global Citizenship for International Paper visited NEXUS in December and had a conversation around “Visioning and Leadership”. Read More
NEXUS Volunteers at the MidSouth Food Bank

Members of the NEXUS Class of 2022 volunteered at the Mid-South Food Bank. The NEXUS volunteers helped prepare more than 6,500 pounds of food for distribution to those in need. Read More
Bill Seely Inspired at NEXUS

Bill Seely, President and CEO of Varsity Spirit spoke to the NEXUS Class of 2022 at the November session on the topic of “Leading Through Change”. Bill shared his journey and the things he has learned along the way. He was intentional, humble, and honest with his message. Read More
Lauren Ready Speaks at NEXUS

“You can be a leader no matter your title or position in a company.” -Lauren Ready The NEXUS Class of 2022 learned from Lauren Ready, Owner & Principal Storyteller of Forever Ready Productions at the October session. Lauren shared from her personal experiences about leading and building. Read More

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Upcoming Events

August 20, 2022 - August 20, 2022

NEXUS Class of 2023 Orientation

The Class of 2023 will kick-off their NEXUS experience with an Orientation event. The Orientation is a highlight of the

June 30, 2022 - June 30, 2022

Support NEXUS at Year End

NEXUS – Where Mentoring and Leadership Meet NEXUS is thankful for partners, alumni, and supporters that continue to

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Nexus Voice

I was a protege in the very first year NEXUS was introduced. Not only did I meet a great mentor but I was exposed to the community. I have built a network for which I am always indebted to NEXUS.

Sridhar Sunkara

Past Protege / Director Information Systems / Center City Commission
NEXUS has been a great experience in meeting other professionals whose path I may not otherwise cross. It has been a wonderful way to familiarize myself with others that are focused on improving Memphis in their respective areas of focus.

Mark H. Yancy

NEXUS Protégé, Major Gifts Coordinator / Methodist Healthcare Foundation
I very much enjoyed my time in the Nexus program. While I would have thought the Protege would have gotten more out of the program, I'm not so sure now. I got so much out of my relationship with my protege and the meeting/speakers were very well planned and extremely interesting. Mike Pera, NEXUS Class of 2013

Mike Pera, NEXUS Mentor, Retired, Marsh
My NEXUS experience has far exceeded all expectations. Our class been extremely fortunate to have incredible speakers who all have a passion for this city. Beyond that, my NEXUS mentor had been amazing. The NEXUS leaders did a fantastic job in pairing us together. We have developed a strong bond and a real friendship that I know will continue well into the future. Neely Mallory, NEXUS Protégé, Associate, Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Advisors

Neely Mallory, Class of 2014
NEXUS is an amazing opportunity! It allows you to build a meaningful relationship with your protégé and help their continued growth, give back to the community, hear insightful speakers, and network with others in the area you may have never met. I went into this experience excited about being a mentor and playing a role in another’s development. However, NEXUS has also provided me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader.

Dana Armstrong, NEXUS Class of 2014
I heard someone say, “Inspiration without Instruction is Useless”. NEXUS has given me inspiration. INSPIRATION through the leaders that have come every month to share their wisdom. INSTRUCTION, by giving me the best mentor a person can have. Rodney A. Johnson, NEXUS Protege, Family Advocate Counselor, University of Tennessee AND Director of Love Builder/ Neighborhood Christian Center, Inc.

Rodney Johnson, NEXUS Class of 2014

NEXUS Protege/Mentor-Jill & Hayley

Mentor-Jill & Hayley
NEXUS protege Amy Strickland talks about her experience in the class of 2019.

Amy Strickland
Bethany McRae, NEXUS protege talks about her experience.

Bethany McRae
Sandy Willson

Sandy Willson