INDIANAPOLIS (July 21, 2026) – On Tuesday, IBJ Media unveiled its fifth annual Indiana 250, a list of the state’s most influential business and community leaders from a wide range of sectors, including both public and private organizations. For the third consecutive year, South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s President and CEO Bethany Hartley has named to the list.

The list, available at Indiana250.com, features nearly 60 new names compared to last year who represent cities and counties from across the state. IBJ Media CEO and owner Nate Feltman said the team that chooses the Indiana 250 is always looking for the leaders who are making an impact today.

“The Indiana 250 is unlike other annual lists produced by IBJ Media, such as IBJ’s Forty Under 40 or The Indiana Lawyer’s Leadership in Law,” said Feltman. “In almost all of our programs, an individual can be honored only once ever in a given category. But the Indiana 250 seeks to recognize the state’s most influential leaders in each year, which means some names have been on the list every year and others have been on just once or twice. In fact, 84 people have been on the Indiana 250 all five years.”

This year’s honorees include Bethany Hartley, President and CEO of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, in the Civic Leadership category. Hartley was recognized for her leadership in advancing regional economic development, fostering innovation, and strengthening workforce initiatives in the South Bend – Elkhart region. Under her guidance, the Partnership has expanded collaborative programs that attract and retain talent, support entrepreneurs, and enhance quality of place across the five-county region.

“Being named to the Indiana 250 for a third year is a reflection of the work happening across our entire region, not just one person,” said Hartley. “What means the most is seeing so many of our board members, and trusted partners on this list alongside me – it says something about the caliber of leadership this region has and the collective effort behind everything we’re building here.”

Other South Bend – Elkhart region honorees include:

Civic Leadership

• Jeff Rea, South Bend Regional Chamber and Regional Partnership Executive Committee Board member

Financial & Business Services

• Jacqueline Barton, Specialized Staffing Solutions
• Susan Ford,Quarterline & Rock and Regional Partnership Board Chair
• Tracy Graham, Graham Allen Partners
• Chris J. Murphy III, 1st Source Bank/Corp.
• Kristin Pruitt,Lake City Bank and RDA Vice Chair
• Amy Sink, Interra Credit Union
• Andrea Short,1st Source Bank and Regional Partnership Board member

Law

• G. Marcus Cole, University of Notre Dame School of Law

Manufacturing, Logistics & Transportation

• Coley Brady,Alliance RV
• Jason Lippert,LCI Industries/Lippert
• Gary Neidig, ITAMCO and Regional Partnership Board member
• Amish Shah, Kem Krest and Regional Partnership Board member

Nonprofit & Education

• Shannon Cullinan,University of Notre Dame and Regional Partnership Executive Committee Board member
• Rev. Robert Dowd,University of Notre Dame
• Tim Sexton, University of Notre Dame, Regional Partnership Foundation Board memberand RDA Chair

Real Estate, Retail & Construction

• John Phair, Holladay Properties

Technology & Media

• Rich Carlton, Aunalytics

The list was compiled by executives, editors and newsroom staff from IBJ Media’s three news brands – Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and The Indiana Lawyer – following a months-long process of reviewing nominations, researching Indiana organizations and consulting community leaders across the state.

The Indiana 250 will be celebrated at an exclusive reception on Tuesday evening at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Title sponsors are Aaron Wealth Advisors, CareSource, Ice Miller, and Pacers Sports & Entertainment. The premier sponsor is Lucas Oil, and the host sponsors are the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Penske Entertainment and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

IBJ Media launched the Indiana 250 program in 2022 and plans to continue updating the list annually.

To see the full list, visit www.Indiana250.com.