Leadership Memphis has announced the participants for its Executive Program Class of 2027. The incoming class will consist of professionals from various industries, including banking and finance, education, government, media and healthcare.
“For over 40 years, Leadership Memphis has offered this premier civic leadership experience, and we are proud to continue to bring together leaders from every sector to expand their impact and strengthen Memphis and the surrounding areas, including Arkansas and Mississippi,” said Dr. Reginald Porter Jr., president and CEO of Leadership Memphis. “Congratulations to the incoming ‘best class ever,’ and we hope that these executives have a wonderful and fulfilling experience.”
The 2027 class participants pictured from top, left to right, include:
- Shara Ayers – Memphis Rise Academy, network director of operations
- Colby Barrom – Amazon.com, senior operations manager
- David Blankenship – Renasant Bank, managing director – private client
- Reginald Boyce – City of Memphis, director of community affairs
- Toria Brown – Memphis-Shelby County Schools, manager, The Pursuit Center
- Dr. Vonzella Bryant – University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, associate professor of Emergency Medicine and assistant dean of student affairs
- Tiffany Burton – US Bank, account executive
- Antwone Cameron – University of Memphis, associate vice president of student affairs/dean of students
- Ron Childers – WMC TV, chief meteorologist
- Charity Cole – City of Memphis, operations manager
- Antwanette Crutcher – Jasper Float Spa & Wellness Center, LLC, founder & CEO
- Alfred Degrafinreid – Leadership Tennessee, president & CEO
- Brian Diggs – Power & Tel, director of credit
- Jaime Dunn – First Horizon Bank, SVP, director of total rewards
- Marquita Evans – Juvenile Court of Memphis & Shelby County, deputy CAO
- Gwendolyn Gavin – Eagles Nest Family Services, director
- Anthony Glenn – FedEx, pilot
- CeCe Glenn – Chick-fil-A Uptown Memphis, owner/operator
- Samantha Hammonds – Alliance Healthcare Services, senior vice president of compliance, grants, and outpatient
- Rhonda Hooks – New Salem Baptist Church of Memphis, chief of staff/general counsel
- Dr. Justin Hunter – Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare, medical director of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
- Cassie Jones – International Paper Company, manager of technical services
- Katie Lea – Methodist University Hospital, vice president/chief nursing officer
- Nichole Love – Memphis Shelby County Airport Authority, director of human resources
- Nicole Lowe – Regional One Health, vice president of post-acute services
- Dorothy Mays – Pinnacle Financial Partners, financial advisor
- Brian McLaughlin – The YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, president & CEO
- Taylor McPherson – Lehman-Roberts, A Granite Company, director of communications and engagement
- Keesa Mitchell – Memphis Medical District Collaboration, vice president
- Kindle Nance – Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, chief prosecutor
- Jenikka Oglesby – The Big We, chief of Staff
- Mark O’Mell – Economic Development Growth Engine, manager, economic development
- Monica Patel – Provisions Group, senior delivery manager
- Lara Payne – Preserver Partners, director of operational risk management
- Miajenell Peake – CHOICES, midwifery nurse coordinator
- Elayne Perry – Regional One Health, director, patient financial services
- Cortney Richardson – Peer Power Foundation, CEO
- Jaron Roux – FedEx/Spitfire Elite Consulting, 767 first officer / chief of staff
- Robin Samuel – ALSAC area executive director
- Racheal Shantel – Mane Up Memphis Inc, executive director
- Alan Sawyer – WATN (ABC24) / WLMT (CW30), director of sales
- Todd Shaffer – Memphis-Shelby County Schools, principal
- Franklin Stewart – FedEx, managing director, audit
- C’sara Strong – APAC Mississippi/Tennessee, occupational health manager
- Eugenya “Mickki” Tisdale – FedEx Express, senior ops manager
- Marcus J. Taylor – Sports Sanitizers, LLC, CEO
- Shelby Thomas – Alliance Healthcare Service, CFO
- Matthew Szalaj – Shelby County Board of Commissioners / special assistant for policy to Memphis Mayor Paul Young
- Tiffany Wiley – Riko’s Kickin Chicken LLC, owner and operator
- Glover Wright – Shelby County Public Defender, supervising attorney
The Leadership Memphis Executive Program is a nine-month experience that develops, connects and mobilizes leaders from every sector to drive meaningful change across Memphis and Shelby County.
The program begins with a three-day opening retreat that starts on Wednesday, Aug. 19, followed by eight full class days held once a month from September through April.
“Our programs are designed to develop, connect and mobilize leaders to create positive change across our city and the Mid-South, and our goal for the Leadership Memphis Executive Program is to teach executive leaders how to use their knowledge, network and experiences to amplify impactful and meaningful change,” said Lori J. Evans, director of programs for Leadership Memphis. “We look forward to working with the Class of 2027 to strengthen Memphis and the surrounding areas through service, mentorship and collaboration.”
Participants engage in lectures from distinguished city leaders across key civic and community modules, including:
- Leadership Memphis & Memphis History
- Collective Impact
- City-Wide Initiatives
- Design Thinking
- Social & Community Context
- Government
- Health & Wellness
- Education
- Community Safety
- Housing and City Planning
- Economics, Arts & Culture
- Hunger & Homelessness
Each session features courageous conversations, case studies and solutions-focused dialogue around Memphis’ most pressing issues and initiatives, along with panels of community and nonprofit leaders driving critical change across the city. Within an assigned Community Group, each cohort member collaborates on a Community Action Project in partnership with a neighborhood nonprofit initiative.
Upon completion, graduates join the prestigious Leadership Memphis Alumni Network, a 4,300-member community of changemakers, CEOs, public officials, nonprofit leaders and grassroots organizers who are shaping Memphis’ future.
To learn more about the Leadership Memphis Executive Program and other programs,
visit www.leadershipmemphis.org.
