SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Dec. 20, 2021) — The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership announced today that President and CEO, Regina Emberton has decided to step aside from the organization, effective February 25, 2022. Emberton has served as the inaugural president and CEO of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership since 2013.
Pete McCown, chair of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership board of directors said, “Under Regina’s leadership, the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership catalyzed regional economic development strategies focused on educating a world-class workforce, recruiting and retaining great talent, attracting and growing new economy companies, promoting inclusion and sparking opportunities for minorities, and helping entrepreneurs thrive. Regina and the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership team have focused on inclusive collaboration as they engaged companies, communities, colleges and universities, economic development entities, and philanthropic organizations across the region to work together in advancing the vision to build a region of smart, connected communities.”
Emberton stated, “It has been a privilege to lead the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership during such a transitional period in our region’s economic history. Working with the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership team and stakeholders from all sectors, we have built a culture of regional collaboration, developed a thoughtful strategic plan, secured unprecedented financial resources, and established the long-term infrastructure that will support economic development efforts going forward.”
The executive committee of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership will immediately begin a national search for Emberton’s successor. A search committee has been formed, comprised of members of the board and representation from key stakeholders in the region.
“Regina and the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership team have focused on collaboration and building strong relationships with a diverse set of regional stakeholders to advance economic prosperity in the region. These will be key factors in the search criteria for the organizations next leader,” said Rebecca Stoltzfus, member of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s board of directors.
McCown concluded, “We are fortunate to have an engaged team leading efforts for the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. The board of directors is excited about the future of the region, and we are confident that the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s dynamic team of professionals and committed board and committee volunteers will continue to move the vision and goals forward during and following Regina’s transition. On behalf of the board of directors, we thank Regina for her dedication and strategic focus on advancing the region’s economic prosperity. While many people have played a role in the success we have enjoyed over the past decade, Regina’s focus, energy, vision, and passion were critical factors in this success. Our region has grown and developed as a result of her leadership.”
Regina will continue to engage in economic development activities as she assumes the CEO role with ChoiceLight, Inc., a public private partnership providing access to broadband infrastructure through a dark fiber optic network serving commercial, financial, educational, healthcare, and governmental agencies in St. Joseph and Marshall counties.
To learn more, visit southbendelkhart.org.
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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
Sarah Niespodziany
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
574-344-4686 ext.4807
sniespodziany@southbendelkhart.org
