The South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership has expanded its staff to help the organization make a greater impact on the region it serves.

“Our fresh staff members bring an array of skills and experience to our team,” said Bethany Hartley, newly named partnership president and CEO. “These new members, combined with our established team, allow us to increase the impact of our work for the region though data-driven decision making.”

The new staff at the partnership, which serves 47 communities in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan, include:

Lisa Buchanan, director, education and workforce solutions: She will manage and support educational and workforce initiatives, increasing the availability of work-ready talent for key industry sectors in the region.

Lori Flotow, manager, office operations: She will performing a wide variety of office operations and executive administrative support and will be the first line of communication with key constituents, executing multiple administrative duties of the office and performing a wide variety of duties.

Liz Folkerts, manager, digital marketing and public relations: She will create and promote content on behalf of the partnership and will oversee web content, from initial strategy to day-to-day updates and management of the organization’s public-facing platforms including social media.

Taryn MacFarlane, vice president, regional Initiatives: She will serve as the primary staff administrator for the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Development Authority and support the partnership’s implementation of the READI grant program.

Bianca Tirado, director, strategic initiatives: Tirado will provide management and coordination for the talent attraction and retention, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives of the partnership.