SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Aug. 13, 2020) – Today, the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership (Regional Partnership) announced the promotion of Bethany Hartley to Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), effective immediately.

In her new role as CSO, 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.

“The Regional Partnership is in a unique position to lead the South Bend – Elkhart region into a new era by leveraging advanced technologies, supporting core industry clusters, and encouraging new businesses to relocate or expand within our large geographic footprint,” said Regional Partnership President and CEO, Regina Emberton. “Bethany’s broad skillset and passion for inclusive economic development makes her the ideal candidate to strengthen our collaboration with economic development professionals and stakeholders to ensure a cohesive, measurable, and sustainable future for the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership and the region.”

In 2018, Hartley joined the Regional Partnership team as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and as CSO, she is maintaining her role as a liaison for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. This engagement across all five committees will enhance the Regional Partnership’s momentum towards achieving our region’s goal of moving the South Bend – Elkhart region into the top 20% of metro areas for minority income equality through intentional, actionable, and measurable tactics.

“I am humbled to continue my career with the Regional Partnership in this new role,” says Hartley. “As an organization that operates across a large geographic footprint with a lean team and incredibly engaged committee and board members, establishing the Chief Strategy Officer position moves us towards a more sustainable future, and weaves the fabric of our five areas of focus more closely together.”

Hartley has over a decade of experience in non-profit leadership, primarily focused on economic development and entrepreneurship. Prior to joining the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, Hartley held leadership positions with RISE | Regional Innovation and Startup Education, Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County, Family and Children’s Center, and the Women’s Business Development Center.

Hartley holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and certificates from the University of Notre Dame’s Master of Non-Profit Administration, Babson College, and Catalyst Inc. Hartley is also active in a wide range of community activities, including serving as a board member of Startup Moxie Elkhart County, a steering committee member of the Engaging Women Conference, a committee member of the Inclusive Procurement Committee at the City of South Bend, and a champion and fundraiser for Girls on the Run of Northern Indiana.

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.

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