SOUTH BEND, Ind. (May 11, 2021) — The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership is pleased to announce that Chief Strategy Officer, Bethany Hartley is the latest Forty Under 40 recipient.

Michiana Forty Under 40 program shines the spotlight on 40 of the region’s most talented and dedicated young executives, leaders, professionals, employees, and adults who demonstrate career success and community engagement, all before the age of 40. Widely recognized as one of the region’s most sought-after business awards, this year marks the recognition of the program’s 15th class.

This is an annual collaborative effort between the South Bend Regional Chamber, Young Professionals Network South Bend, presenting sponsors Community Foundation of Elkhart County and First State Bank, supporting sponsors Gibson and the South Bend Tribune, along with chambers of commerce in the South Bend – Elkhart region.

“Bethany’s personal and professional growth and been inspiring to watch,” said South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership President and CEO, Regina Emberton. “She joined the Regional Partnership in 2018 to launch our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative and has already made a significant impact on both our team and the region. She brings a boundless dedication and strategic approach to her work and this recognition is well deserved.”

As Chief Strategy Officer, Hartley is responsible for translating strategies across functions and driving organizational change, supporting new working relationships and synergies across the organization, and establishing greater transparency and accountability. She is serving in an active role strengthening and maintaining the management and governance culture and practices that reflects the organization’s core values, including the infusion of innovative thinking and relevant technology-enabled initiatives.

One of Hartley’s keystone initiatives during her time with the South Bend – Elkhart Partnership has been the development and launch of HustleSBE, a business bootcamp aimed toward providing support and assistance to minority and women entrepreneurs across the five-county region. Since 2019, the program has been dedicated to bringing resources on topics including capital, certifications, financial management, and human resources to minority and women-owned businesses. By the end of this month, HustleSBE will have graduated its third cohort of participants wit the fourth cohort set to launch this summer.

“It is an incredible honor to be named a Forty Under 40 recipient,” said Hartley. “I am proud to be included among this distinguished list of honorees and look forward to working with them to help the South Bend – Elkhart region continue to thrive. I’m grateful to the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership for encouraging me to push for innovative solutions and make meaningful connections that help make our region and beyond more inclusive, resilient, and strong.”

Hartley is the second member of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership team to receive the award, including Regina Emberton, an inaugural recipient.

The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership activity submits Forty Under 40 nominees from across the region each year. This year, three of the nominees put forth by the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership were selected. Recipients include Shelby Herms of Kem Krest, Shanon A. Buari, Sr. of Anderson, Agostino & Keller, P.C., and Laquisha Jackson of Soulful Kitchen.

About South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership is a collaboration of the economic development partners from 47 smart connected communities in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. The Regional Partnership focuses on a long-term systemic approach to advance the region’s economy by aligning the efforts of various stakeholders around five key areas: Educating a world-class WORKFORCE, Recruiting and retaining great TALENT, Attracting and growing new economy companies in complement to our remarkably strong manufacturing INDUSTRIES, Promoting INCLUSION and sparking opportunities for minorities and Helping ENTREPRENEURS thrive. The Regional Partnership seeks to unify and collaborate so that together, the communities across the region to work together to achieve what cannot be done individually. For more information about the Regional Partnership, visit SouthBendElkhart.org.

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Media Contact
Regina Emberton
South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
574.344.4686
remberton@southbendelkhart.org