Our Mission & VIsion

We help leaders define reality and offer hope through the truth of God’s Word applied to everyday life and work — with the goal of transforming lives as we lead our families, organizations, and our great city.

Our Values

Christ at The Center

Christ and the Word of God are the same (John 1:1-4). We place the infallible, Holy Spirit inspired Word of God at the center of everything we teach and discuss. We believe Christ created all things visible and invisible and that all things are created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16). In Christ we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

Read Our Statement of Faith

Humility

Jesus was the most powerful and the most humble person to walk the earth (Philippians 6-11). Since Christ has reconciled us to God be making peace by the blood of the cross (Colossians 1:20) — we have everything we need In Christ, we no longer need to live for ourselves, we can live with Christ like assurance and humility as we serve others (Luke 10:29-37, Philippians 2:1-5).

Kingdom Mindset

The Kingdom of God is coming and is now here (Mark 1:15). God is making all things new (Revelation 21:1). The Gospel of Jesus means that God is reclaiming everything that is his. We are called to repent, believe, and follow our Savior and King. Trust Him with your life as you engage in His work to make disciples of all nations. Use your gifts — design, build, invest, communicate, teach, lead...spend your life and resources blessing others as you spread the love of Christ.

Diversity

All people are made in the image of God with the same dignity. Heaven will be full of people from every nation, tribe, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands praising God (Revelation 7:9). Therefore we will honor diversity and inclusion in all we do now.

Memphis

We love Memphis and aim to see our people, organizations, and city prosper. We look for ways to bless our neighbors, coworkers, and all of our citizens by building, creating, buying, selling, giving, and collaborating in ways that promote the common good of our city (Jeremiah 29:4-5,7).

Who We Serve

We serve leaders who desire to move from ambivalence, distraction, and uncertainty to confident clarity of mission and daily purposeful action.

Influencers

You have significant authority and responsibility. Many people look to you for leadership. You want to be sure you guide others well. Prioritizing correctly is one of your chief concerns. You want to know what God’s Word says in order to inform your life and leadership.

Innovators

You see limitless possibilities for the Kingdom and others. You want to see God’s Word make a difference in the world. You appreciate original thought and tested wisdom. You approach both problems and solutions with creativity and purpose. You are comfortable challenging the status quo, but want to make sure your work is grounded in ultimate truth.

Connectors

You build bridges between people and ideas for the benefit of individuals and organizations. You want to know how you can better invest your time and talent to make a difference. You want to know what God says about life’s purpose so you can help others make an impact on the world.

Investigators

You work hard and think deeply. You ask excellent questions about the validity of things—values, plans, ideas, statements, and organizations—that others accept as fact, because you want to do what is right. You want to know if there is real truth and how to apply that truth to the inconsistencies you see in the world.

Leadership

Howard Graham

Howard Graham

Executive Director

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Discernment

Howard spent 30 years as an entrepreneur and business leader — most recently as an executive for a global digital agency, Wunderman/WPP. Everywhere Howard serves, he is a catalyst for new growth and transformational change.

He is a leader in the faith community of Memphis. As a member of Downtown Church, he is an active participant in a diverse set of ministries across the city. Over the years, his board involvement includes: Second Presbyterian Church, Nathan Street Ministries, and Presbyterian Day School. At Presbyterian Day School, he served as Chairman of the Board before joining full-time as Chaplain and Executive Director of Building Boys, Making Men.

Howard loves to help people, organizations, and communities achieve their highest potential. He is a natural connector of people and opportunities.

hgraham@thecentermemphis.org

Andrew Beach

Andrew Beach

Director of Life Planning and Retirement Coaching

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Invention

Andrew invested the first 20 years of his career on church staffs, most recently for 17 years at First Evangelical Church of Memphis. He has spent his career helping people navigate from where they are to where they want to be, pointing people toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has the heart of a shepherd and the mind of a coach, guiding people with grace and truth.

He has worked and lived in the Memphis community since 2005, partnering with individuals, non-profits, and businesses to see our city thrive. He has decades of experience walking with people through key life transitions in order to help people find purpose and meaning.

Encore Initiative is a curriculum Andrew has developed to establish alignment, confidence, and traction as people approach and enter the transition to retirement. His service helps people renew their focus toward The Great Commission in their next season of life.

abeach@thecentermemphis.org

Loni Proctor

Loni Proctor

Executive Assistant & Partnerships Coordinator

Working Genuis: Tenacity | Enablemant

Meet Loni! With a strategic mindset & love for people, she brings a refreshing perspective to the team. She has a passion for driving projects to completion, and brings ideas to fruition through action. She obtains joy and energy from providing others with encouragement and support. Loni has served various ministries across the city over the years, and has a deep love for Memphis. She not only supports our leadership, but also serves as our Partnerships Coordinator, facilitating collaboration across our city.

lproctor@thecentermemphis.org

Cecily Pompa

Cecily Pompa

Course Designer & Content Strategist

Working Genius: Discernment | Enablement

Cecily is a passionate Christ-follower and award-winning educator. She finds joy in encouraging others and in bringing her love of teaching and technology together for the glory of Jesus. She is a natural curator of ideas and is gifted in the art of evaluation and assessment. An experienced course designer, Cecily works closely with The Center to produce curriculum and learning experiences that give our city's members the tools they need to grow, lead, and teach in their communities.  Her mission is to create compelling content that is not only informative, but transformative -- to inspire others to live out their faith in the workplace and beyond.

cpompa@thecentermemphis.org

Advisors To Assist You

Do you have an opportunity or challenge that can use advice from someone who has been there and done that? We have an ever-expanding network of advisors with expertise in every industry in Memphis.

The leaders on this page, and many more, are willing to meet with you. To request a meeting, click here

Cannon Allen

Cannon Allen

Partner, Adams and Reese

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Enablement

Commercial Litigation,
Negotiation,
Leadership / Relationship Management,
Willie Baldwin

Willie Baldwin

Director, Eikon & Nathan Street Ministries

Working Genius: Enablement | Galvanizing

Nonprofit,
Youth Ministry,
Discipleship,
Jason Biggs

Jason Biggs

Senior Product Manager, HKC-US / Palm Coast Imports LLC

Entrepreneurship,
Product Development,
Tee Brown

Tee Brown

President, GMFS

Working Genius: Enablement | Galvanizing

Financial Services,
Entrepreneurship,
Deal Structuring,
Dan Butler

Dan Butler

Founder, Ninety8 Ventures, LLC

Working Genius: Invention | Enablement

Entrepreneurship,
Deal Structuring,
Real Estate,
John Carroll

John Carroll

Executive Director / Founder, City Leadership

Working Genius: Discernment | Galvanizing

Business Strategy,
Nonprofit,
Executive Leadership,
Sam Coates

Sam Coates

Owner, Driven By Productions

Working Genius: Tenacity | Discernment

Small Business,
Entrepreneurship,
Podcast and Stories,
Erin Cole

Erin Cole

Founder / Creative Director, Heartbeat Communications

Working Genius: Invention | Galvanizing

Business Leadership,
Entrepreneurship,
Personal Development,
Damon Conley

Damon Conley

Assistant Pastor to Middle Adults, Second Presbyterian Church

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Invention

Marketing,
Executive Leadership,
Financial Services,
Brantley Davidson

Brantley Davidson

President & Managing Partner, Yonder

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Enablement

Digital Marketing,
Business Strategy,
Innovation,
Michael Davis

Michael Davis

Teaching Pastor, Downtown Church

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Discernment

Gospel Minister,
Financial Services,
Economic Revitalization,
Chuck Ellingsworth

Chuck Ellingsworth

Managing Director, Raymond James

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Investment Banking,
Strategic Planning,
Public and Private Partnerships,
Noel Fenderson

Noel Fenderson

President | My Town Miracles, My Town Movers, My Town Roofing

Working Genius: Enablement | Wonder

Entrepreneurship,
Nonprofit Leadership,
Public Service,
Carlo Foster

Carlo Foster

President, C. Foster Construction Co., Inc.

Working Genius: Invention | Galvanizing

Construction,
Entrepreneurship,
Business Leadership,
Mark Fruitt

Mark Fruitt

Principal, Presbyterian Day School

Working Genius: Wonder | Enablement

Elementary Education,
Coaching,
Leadership Development,
John Gallina

John Gallina

Partner, Remac Appraisals

Real Estate,
Appraisal Residential,
Residential Construction,
Matthew Gant

Matthew Gant

Agent/Owner, State Farm Insurance

Working Genius: Enablement | Discernment

Insurance,
Financial Services,
Entrepreneurship,
Lending and Borrowing,
Resume Building,
Michelle Gilchrist

Michelle Gilchrist

CEO, Bloomington Health Foundation

Working Genius: Enablement | Discernment

Nonprofit,
Strategy Development and Implementation,
Business Development,
Brad Godwin

Brad Godwin

CEO, Comfort Keepers of the Midsouth

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Discernment

Business Strategy,
Marketing,
Sales Leadership,
 Michael Goolsby

Michael Goolsby

Sales Leader, Abbvie

Working Genius: Discernment | Enablement

Sales,
Marketing,
Team Building,
Personal Branding,
Len Hardison

Len Hardison

President, National Christian Foundation Memphis

Working Genius: Enablement | Wonder

Generosity,
Asset Based Giving,
Fundraising,
Sheridan Hibbard

Sheridan Hibbard

CEO, WellWorX Wellness

Working Genius: Enablement | Galvanizing

Entrepreneurship,
Wellness,
Business / Group Insurance,
Hampton A. Holcomb

Hampton A. Holcomb

Financial Services Executive, Strategic Financial Partners

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Enablement

Financial Decision Making,
Financial Services,
Andy Kizzee

Andy Kizzee

Business Hub Director, Binghampton Development Corporation

Working Genius: Invention | Discernment

Business Development,
Business As Missions,
International Missions,
Blake Lam

Blake Lam

Lead Developer, Whiteboard

Working Genius: Discernment | Tenacity

Digital Marketing,
Chett Maranto

Chett Maranto

Senior Engineer, Barnhart

Working Genius: Wonder | Discernment

Leading Upward,
Strategic Selling,
On Mission in Construction,
Montgomery Martin

Montgomery Martin

Founder and CEO, Montgomery Martin Contractors

Working Genius: Tenacity | Galvanizing

Executive Leadership,
Commercial Construction,
Negotiation,
Dan McEwan

Dan McEwan

President and Principal, Maximum Hospitality

Working Genius: Discernment | Enablement

Real Estate,
Sales,
Operations,
Brian Moak

Brian Moak

Account Representative, Stuart C. Irby Co.

Working Genius: Enablement | Discernment

Sales,
Electrical Products Distribution,
Larry Neal

Larry Neal

SVP, Commercial Banking, Simmons Bank

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Invention

Banking,
Entrepreneurship,
Connecting People,
Ed Norton

Ed Norton

Pastor, Independent Presbyterian Church

Working Genius: Enablement | Invention

Gospel Minister,
Discipleship,
Career Counseling,
Shell Odum

Shell Odum

Regional Director of Community, Faith Driven Entrepreneur | Founder of A Radical Relationship

Working Genius: Enablement | Galvanizing

Life Coaching,
Entrepreneurship,
Discipleship,
Organizational Development,
Dr. Keith Owen

Dr. Keith Owen

Pediatrician

Pediatrician,
Medical Small Business,
Product Development,
Drew Para

Drew Para

Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial Partners

Working Genius: Wonder | Tenacity

Financial Planning,
Small Business,
Entrepreneurship,
Rebekah Payne

Rebekah Payne

VP, Analytics and Technology · Wunderman Thompson Performance Marketing

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Digital Marketing,
Accounting,
Media,
Deborah Perkins

Deborah Perkins

IBM Consultant

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Information Technology Consulting,
Logistics,
Retail,
Bill Piper

Bill Piper

Regional VP, Sales, VC3

Working Genius: Wonder | Galvanizing

Sales,
Business Development,
Opening Up New Markets,
Coaching,
Richard Rieves

Richard Rieves

Lead Pastor, Downtown Church

Working Genius: Invention | Galvanizing

Gospel Minister,
Economic Revitalization,
Church Planting,
Sam Rogers

Sam Rogers

Partner at Confido Investors

Working Genius: Wonder | Tenacity

M&A,
Startups,
Real Estate Development ,
Fred Schaeffer

Fred Schaeffer

Financial Services Executive, Strategic Financial Partners

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Insurance,
Financial Services,
Brian Schneider

Brian Schneider

Founder and CEO, Every Single Day Career Coaching

Working Genius: Enablement | Tenacity

Leadership Coaching,
Career Transition,
Organizational Development,
Dr. Sam Shaw

Dr. Sam Shaw

Retired Principal

Education,
Music,
Counseling,
Greg Spillyards

Greg Spillyards

Managing Director | CEO at Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Advisors - Memphis

Commercial Real Estate,
Nonprofit Leadership,
Entrepreneurship,
Kevin Stout

Kevin Stout

Branch Manager at Barnhart Crane & Rigging Co.

Working Genius: Enablement | Tenacity

Personal Development,
Ministry to Business Transition,
Getting Fired,
Gordon Thompson

Gordon Thompson

Managing Director and Financial Advisor, Truist.

Working Genius: Enablement | Wonder

Financial Services,
Financial Decision Making,
Entrepreneurship,
Rob Thompson

Rob Thompson

Real Estate Investor, Business Accelerator Michael Hyatt Co

Working Genius: Discernment | Invention

Residential Real Estate,
Lending and Borrowing,
Executive Leadership,
Scott A. Trammell

Scott A. Trammell

Executive Vice President and Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial Partners

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Financial Services,
Financial Decision Making,
Sales Management,
Charles Umsted

Charles Umsted

CPA, Principal

Working Genius: Wonder | Discernment

Tax/ CPA,
Client Development,
Team Building,
Russ VanderSteeg

Russ VanderSteeg

President and Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial Partners

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Enablement

Corporate Leadership,
Financial Services,
Mentorship,
Will Walker

Will Walker

Founder & President, Walker Financial Management

Working Genius: Tenacity | Invention

Bookkeeping & Payroll,
Entrepreneurship,
Business Operations,
Rob Ward

Rob Ward

Area Vice President, Expedient

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Information Technology,
Business Development,
Coaching,
Frank Warren

Frank Warren

Realtor

Working Genius: Wonder | Enablement

Real Estate Sales,
Finance,
Real Estate Investing,
Public Service,
Wade West

Wade West

Senior Vice President, Fountain Equipment Finance LLC

Working Genius: Tenacity | Enablement

Financial Services,
Small Business,
Nonprofit,
Katie West

Katie West

HR Consultant

Working Genius: Discernment | Invention

Financial Services,
Organizational Development,
Leadership Development,
Enneagram Coach,
Nonprofit,
Kem Wilson

Kem Wilson

Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Kemmons Wilson Companies

Working Genius: Galvanizing | Enablement

Hospitality,
Career Counseling,
Marriage,
General Business,
Brett Wynne

Brett Wynne

Assistant Pastor to Young Adults, Second Presbyterian Church

Gospel Minister,
Discipleship,

Advice for Work

Over 50 industry experts to help with decisions and next steps along your journey.

Request a Meeting

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In-person or virtual one-on-one meetings to discuss big decisions, career or job changes, big idea feedback, strategic planning, investigative faith study, and more.

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