Clayton Sanderson — Chief operations officer

Clayton Sanderson

Clayton joined the City Leadership Team in April 2024 as our Chief Operations Officer.

What I do for city Leadership

As City Leadership’s COO, I am responsible for all day-to-day management activities—including finances, HR, data collection, and people leadership.

My primary responsibility is making sure that we are equipping the right people with the right tools focused on the right ways to recruit, develop, and catalyze leaders for Memphis. By helping unlock the potential of City Leadership’s wonderful staff and acting as a good steward of our resources, I hope to help Memphis unlock its full potential.

CONNECT WITH ME

How I got to Memphis…

My wife and I moved to Memphis in the summer of 2015 for her work. At the time we were living in Nashville, but both of us were drawn to Memphis. We were both born and raised in West Tennessee with deep ties to Memphis. My mother is a graduate of Baptist Nursing School and UTHSC, and my father is retired from the Illinois Central Gulf railroad here in Memphis.

Growing up in Brownsville and Jackson, Tennessee, so much of our childhoods were centered on Memphis. Everything from back-to-school shopping to sports to parties at Adventure River and Celebration Station… Memphis is where we went for everything.

When the opportunity came to move to Memphis, we both jumped at the chance and never looked back. Memphis has been the perfect fit for our family.

Why I Choose901

Since June of 2015, I’ve watched my wife pour her heart and soul into Memphis through non-profit work centered on Middle and High School students. Before I joined City Leadership, I worked full-time for an out-of-state corporation. I traveled a lot and didn’t have many opportunities to connect with the city.

Over the last several years, I’ve been feeling the pull toward work that can have a more meaningful impact on my community. I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer with and contribute to several organizations in the Memphis community that I believe have wonderful missions.

When the opportunity came in early 2024 for a role at City Leadership, I jumped at the chance. Helping build the next generation of leaders, advocating for the wonderful things happening in Memphis, and serving the community were all too good to pass up.

MEET THE Sandersons

These days, the Sandersons can usually be found at the ball field or the barn. We love baseball, softball, flag football, and horseback riding. If we aren’t spending our time here along the Mississippi River, you might find us on the other side of West Tennessee enjoying the Tennessee River.

For me personally, along with time at the river, I love reading, golfing, and working in my yard.