Leadership Memphis

Author: Patrick Collins

  • Leadership Memphis Celebrates Leadership Award Honorees

    Left to Right: Kristin Lockhart (Board Chair, RISE Foundation/2020 Community Champion), David Jordan (President/CEO, Agape Family Services/2020 Kate Gooch Leader of the Year), Linda Williams (President/CEO, RISE Foundation/ 2020 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year)

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 10, 2020 – Leadership Memphis honored some of the Mid-South’s most impactful leaders at its 2020 Leadership Awards Luncheon March 6 at the Holiday Inn – University of Memphis.

    Presenting Sponsors Regional One Health and Sedgwick welcomed the more than 650 attendees before Leadership Memphis highlighted its Leader of the Year, Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Community Champion of the Year, and the 2020 Change Makers.

    In addition to the awards, keynote speaker Jia Jiang (CEO, Wuju Learning) delivered an inspiring message on how he learned to be bold in the face of rejection.

    “Memphis has a rich history of leaders impacting positive change in the city,” said David Williams, President/CEO of Leadership Memphis. “These awards are designed to honor them and the people that have chosen to not only make Memphis their home but improve it.”

    Leadership Awards Recipients

    • Kate Gooch Leader of the Year
      • David Jordan, President/CEO Agape Family Services
    • Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
      • Linda Williams, President/CEO RISE Foundation
    • Community Champion of the Year
      • RISE Foundation

     

    2020 Change Makers

    • Raumesh Akbari, State Senator, Tennessee General Assembly
    • Janet Boscarino, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Clean Memphis
    • Carol Coletta, President & CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership
    • Willie Gregory, Director of Global Community Impact, Nike
    • Kevin Kane, President/CEO, Memphis Tourism
    • Anne Mathes, Executive Director, Community Legal Center
    • Isaac Rodriguez, Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer, Sweet Bio
    • Richard Shadyac, President/CEO, ALSAC
    • Dwayne Spencer, President/CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
    • Jan Young, Executive Director, Assisi Foundation

  • Leadership Memphis Welcomes Spring 2020 FastTrack Class

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., January 31, 2020 – Leadership Memphis welcomed its Spring 2020 FastTrack class Saturday, January 25 at Crosstown Concourse.

    31 leaders from a diverse group of organizations came together to build relationships and better understand their connection to the city. Brad Federman (CEO, Performance Point LLC) spoke to them about community leadership and challenged the class to take what they learn and be stronger leaders in their own communities.

    “After meeting the new class and seeing their excitement on day one, I have no doubt they will be outstanding,” said David Williams, President/CEO of Leadership Memphis. “As the program continues, this class will be better equipped to tackle issues facing the city while enhancing Memphis’ positives.”

    Leadership Memphis’ FastTrack program takes emerging leaders with high potential and puts them through a nine-week program designed to expand their knowledge of the community and encourage them to work together to create positive change. Graduation for the Spring 2020 class is set for April 4.

    Leadership Memphis Spring 2020 FastTrack Class

    Ratna Adusumilli Manager, Quality Engineering, Hilton
    Nefertiti Beckett Director of Operations, The Institute of Beauty
    Terry Bell Director, Software Engineer, Hilton
    Kevin Brooks VP of Institutional Advancement, Lemoyne Owen College
    Tamara Brown VP of Operations, PMI Memphis Chapter
    Kate Bucko Interim Director of Grants and Community Engagement, Southern College of Optometry
    Lannie Charles Accountant, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
    Dynisha Clark Executive Assistant, Memphis City Council
    Erika Dupree Market Talent Aquisition Consultant, Saint Francis Hospital
    Jessica Dyer Sr. Specialist – Direct Marketing, ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
    John Geisert Vice President of Technology, Project Management Institute
    Joe Gonzalez ALSAC, Supervisor – ITS Technical Operations, ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
    Ashleigh Hayes Legislative Research Analyst, Memphis City Council
    Dwandrea Hubbard Executive Assistant, City of Memphis
    Nikki Jackson Development Coordinator, City Leadership
    Syed Jaffery Program Officer, Memphis Education Fund
    Meredith Keaton Research Analyst, Youth Villages
    Eshrath Khan Senior Lead Solutions Architect, Hilton Domestic Operating Company
    Catherine Knabb VP of Professional Development, PMI Memphis Chapter
    Madison Korthoff Specialist – ALSAC Fitness Programs, ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
    Robin Loeffel Admissions Director, Hutchison School
    Marsha Logan GS Human Resource/Budget Manager, General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office
    Shaterra Marion Field Counsel, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
    Sterling McNeal Faith and Community Relations Coordinator, Church Health Center
    Brittney Nicole Jackson Brown System Administrator, Change Healthcare
    McCaa Russum Administrator of Public and Behavioral Health, Christ Community Health Services
    Travetta Stewart Manager, Invoicing Services, FedEx
    Taquiya Thompson Special Projects, Tennessee Valley Authority
    Yolanda Thompson Project Manager, Chairmans Circle, Greater Memphis Chamber
    Joy Toney VP of Programs, PMI Memphis Chapter
    Jasmine Wilson Project Lead, Caissa Public Strategy
    Duane Wilson Principal, Network Contracting, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
    Sophia Wordlaw Asst.Council Administrator, Memphis City Council
    Mandy Young Sr. Liaison – IT Talent Architect

     

  • Alumni Engagement Mixer

    Join us for mixing, mingling, hors d’oeuvres and drinks at the Crescent Club on February 13, 2020 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm presented by Cigna! Free to all Leadership Memphis alumni and one guest, and to corporate sponsors.

    There will be a special performance by the Collage Dance Collective, featuring Libiya Gray and other special guests.

  • Leadership Memphis Puts Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center Stage at 12th Annual Multicultural Breakfast

    More than 400 community leaders and executives attended the Leadership Memphis 12th Annual Multicultural Breakfast Friday, November 1 at the Holiday Inn on the University of Memphis campus.

    FedEx and International Paper partnered with Leadership Memphis to present “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Behind the Headlines,” an engaging panel discussion about how modern newsrooms are changing their culture to reflect the communities they cover.

    “To have representatives on the panel from some of the pillars of Memphis media tells you just how important this topic is,” said David Williams, Leadership Memphis President/CEO. “In a lot of ways, media should be leading the discussion on not just why, but also how to make our communities more diverse, equitable and inclusive. And this was their chance to do just that.”

    Williams added, “Newsrooms determine what we watch, hear and read as news consumers. It was reassuring to have panelists encouraging those in the audience to be participants in the process and hold journalists and the media accountable for making sure the news they take in not only reflects the diverse, equitable and inclusive community they live in, but that it takes it to the next level.”

    Our moderator and panelists offered their thoughts about diversity, equity, and inclusion in their operations. Here are some of our favorites:

     

    “[Journalists] are only as good as the trust we get from you. When we are out in the community, we should embrace your conversation.” — Otis Sanford, Hardin Chair of Excellence in Economic and Managerial Journalism

     

     

    “Inclusion is an action. Inclusion is a conscious effort. People of color represent 22{88ac58e0ba1f65e821d2bc5ab4dfea8234c07f92c4567c8ef632c3b2746d51d1} of digital and print newsrooms but make up 40{88ac58e0ba1f65e821d2bc5ab4dfea8234c07f92c4567c8ef632c3b2746d51d1} of the population.”  — Ruby Bailey, Executive Editor, Columbia Missourian at University of Missouri-Columbia

     

     

     

     

    “If you have a group of people that is diverse, that don’t look like you, you are more likely to come away with better decisions that challenge you.” — Mark Russell, Executive Editor, The Commercial Appeal

     

     

     

     

    “I have hired 16 people this year. . . 50{88ac58e0ba1f65e821d2bc5ab4dfea8234c07f92c4567c8ef632c3b2746d51d1} women and most of them younger. We need those voices at the table to help us tell stories.” — Lisa Lovell, News Director, Local 24 News, WATN-TV

     

     

     

     

    “We all have blind spots and the more diverse the room is, the fewer blind spots we have.” — James Overstreet, Editor-In-Chief, The Daily Memphian

     

     

    “If you see something and you disagree let us know. We are trying to be better.” — Jonathan Mitchell, Vice President and General Manager, WMC Action News 5

     

     

  • Volunteer Memphis Celebrates National Make a Difference Day with Memphis Nonprofits and Local Banks

    Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South’s hands-on skills training and United Way’s Truck or Treat event are part of annual Make a Difference Day initiative, designed to start children on a path of empowerment and financial education.

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., October 15, 2019 – Volunteer Memphis is partnering with Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South,

    (more…)

  • Leadership Memphis Announces 2019 FastTrack Fall Class

    Class Includes a Diverse Collection of Emerging Leaders Who Are Ready to Take Action towards Building a Greater Memphis

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., October 17, 2019 – Leadership Memphis, whose mission is to prepare and mobilize leaders to work together for the good of the whole community, is proud to announce the FastTrack Fall Class of 2019. Composed of 25 professionals from a cross-section of (more…)

  • Leadership and Innovation Summit to Discuss How New Innovations are Changing Life and Business

    The inaugural, free, community-wide event will feature keynote speaker R. David Edelman, Director of the Project on Technology, the Economy, & National Security (TENS), part of the MIT Internet Policy Research Initiative (IPRI) and a moderated panel from the University of Memphis and FedEx Freight

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., September 26, 2019 – Leadership Memphis, Leadership Tennessee, and the University of Memphis will host the first-ever Leadership and Innovation Summit, (more…)

  • Leadership Memphis Announces 12th Annual Multicultural Breakfast Friday, November 1

    The annual community-wide event features a panel of five distinguished guests to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in the news media as well as networking opportunities

    MEMPHIS, Tenn., September 25, 2019 – Leadership Memphis will host the 12th Annual Multicultural Breakfast event Friday, November 1, 2019, at Holiday Inn, University of Memphis, 3700 Central Avenue. Presented by FedEx and International Paper, the Multicultural Breakfast is open to the public. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 per table of 10 and can be purchased here: https://www.inovativewebsolutions.agency/leadership/events.

    The theme of this year’s breakfast is “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Behind the Headlines” and will engage a moderated panel of local and regional media to explore why it is important for the news we read, watch, and hear to be diverse, equitable and inclusive. Guests will have the opportunity to learn what people think about the news today and hear how national and local decision-makers are stepping up efforts to ensure the news and those presenting it represent the community they serve. Registration, networking and breakfast buffet begins at 7:00 a.m., with the program starting at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 9:30 a.m.

    “The theme of this year’s event is intentionally thought-provoking, and our expert panel will provide insightful context,” said David Williams, Leadership Memphis President/CEO. “There is plenty of talk about diversity in employment, but how many of us have considered the impact of having diversity and inclusivity, not only in the people who deliver the news, but in the context of the news itself? We are going to take a deep dive into how news people and media outlets are holding themselves accountable for providing diverse, equitable and inclusive news. We will also examine the impact of ensuring that news is inclusive and accessible to all members of our society and the impact it can, and should, have on our businesses and our community.”

    MODERATOR:

    Otis Sanford
    Otis Sanford, Hardin Chair of Excellence in Economic and Managerial Journalism, University of Memphis

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    PANEL:

    Mark Russell
    Mark Russell, Executive Editor, The Commercial Appeal
    James Overstreet, Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Memphian
    Ruby Bailey, Executive Editor, Columbia Missourian at University of Missouri-Columbia
    Lisa Lovell, News Director, Local 24 News, WATN-TV (ABC Affiliate
    Jonathan Mitchell, Vice President and General Manager, WMC Action News

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Since 1979, Leadership Memphis has continually developed new ways to prepare and mobilize effective community leaders. Leadership Memphis develops community change agents, connects them with others who have a passion for serving, and empowers them with information and opportunities to make a difference.

    Seats for Corporate Sponsors and Alumni Sponsors at the $250 level and above are included in those sponsorships but do require an RSVP. Please email Jared Bulluck, Senior Director of Operations, at jbulluck@leadershipmemphis.org to receive your promo code.

    For more information on the event or seats for corporate and alumni sponsors, contact Jared Bulluck at jbulluck@leadershipmemphis.org.

     

  • Programs Celebration

    Leadership Memphis is proud to graduate the Fall FastTrack Class of 2019, the Spring FastTrack Class of 2020, and the Executive Class of 2020.  Join us as we raise a glass to these individuals graduating from Leadership Memphis this year!

    Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided.

    TIME: 6:00pm to 7:30pm

    LOCATION: TBD

    RSVP here.

  • Leadership Awards Luncheon

    Leadership Memphis is proud to announce our 2020 Leadership Awards Luncheon presented by Regional One Health and Sedgwick on March 6, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Registration Begins at 10:30am.

    Leadership Memphis will honor the following awards:

    • David Jordan, President & CEO, Agape Child & Family Services as the 2020 Kate Gooch Leader of the Year
    • Linda Williams, President & CEO, RISE Foundations as the 2020 Distinguished Alumni of the Year
    • RISE Foundation as the 2020 Community Champion

    Leadership Memphis will also be honoring 10 Change Makers.

    Leadership Memphis considers Change Makers a rare species. While they are mere individuals, they nevertheless changed the lives of others through their actions. Each has impacted our community in a very big and in a very positive way. Their work has helped enhance the quality of life and livelihoods of others, and made Memphis a better place in the process.

    • Raumesh Akbari, Tennessee General Assembly, State Senator
    • Janet Boscarino, Clean Memphis, Co-Founder & Executive Director
    • Carol Coletta, Memphis River Parks Partnership, President & CEO
    • Willie Gregory, NIKE, Director of Global Community Impact
    • Kevin Kane, Memphis Tourism, President & CEO
    • Anne Mathes, Community Legal Center, Executive Director
    • Dr. Isaac Rodriguez, Sweet Bio / Seeding Success, Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer
    • Richard L. Shadyac Jr., ALSAC/St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, President & CEO
    • Dwayne Spencer, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, President & CEO
    • Dr. Jan Young, Assisi Foundation, Executive Director

    This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Jia Jiang. Jia is the founder and CEO of Wuju Learning, a company that trains organizations to become fearless through rejection training. He is also known as the Rejection Guy. Jia’s blog – 100 Days of Rejection Therapy – documents and analyzes his journey to discover and conquer the fear of rejection. He is a newly minted TED speaker. His book – Rejection Proof is a #1 bestseller. Jia holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University.

    Tickets are $50 each or $500 for a table of 10. RSVP here or call (901) 278-0016 by February 28.

    Event Sponsorships at the $2,500 or $5,000 are still available. Contact David Williams at dwilliams@leadershipmemphis.org for more information.

    Seats for Corporate Sponsors and Alumni Donors at the $250 level and above are included in your sponsorship but do require an RSVP. (Check your email for a promo code) If you are an alumni sponsor or corporate sponsor and have not received a code, email Austin Haenmueller at ahasenmueller@leadershipmemphis.org.

    Not a sponsor yet? Sign up to sponsor or renew your sponsorship online at leadershipmemphis.org/donate/