Innovate South Bend - Elkhart

Shannon Cullinan was elected executive vice president of the University of Notre Dame effective July 1, 2019, by the University’s Board of Trustees. In this role, Cullinan oversees the University’s $1.9 billion operating budget and leads the divisions that are responsible for operating the University, including University Operations, Events and Safety, Facilities Design and Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, the Investment Office, and Economic Development.

Previously, Cullinan served as the vice president for finance at the University of Notre Dame from January 2017 to June 2019. In this role, he was responsible for University budgets, capital planning, treasury management, procurement, real estate acquisitions and development, financial reporting and analysis, and accounting and financial services. Prior to that, Cullinan was the associate vice president for University Relations, a role in which he worked closely with Trustee leadership, executive leadership, deans, and the University Relations team to oversee Notre Dame’s advancement and campaign efforts.

Cullinan graduated from Notre Dame in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. He returned to his alma mater in 2000, serving first as assistant vice president for public affairs and communications. He went on to serve as assistant vice president for development, and associate vice president for continuous improvement and campus services, with oversight for more than a dozen departments and 400 employees.

For four years prior to joining the University, Cullinan served as the associate executive director of the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, establishing it as a national model. During his tenure at the Center, he served as the controller and created a commercial landscape business employing homeless men and women. He also owned and operated an advertising company before working at the Center.

Cullinan enjoys contributing his time to the local community, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership.

He earned his master of business administration degree with highest honors from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Shannon and his wife Sarah (ND ’95) have four children.

Bethany Hartley serves as the President and CEO of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, overseeing economic development efforts across 47 communities in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. Under her leadership, the organization focuses on advancing regional economic opportunities through collaboration, communication, and convening. The Regional Partnership has been instrumental in securing major funding, including $95 million from Indiana’s READI program, driving transformative projects in quality of place, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The Regional Partnership is on a mission to make the South Bend – Elkhart region the most prosperous region in the Midwest, prioritizing spurring job creation, executing and supporting strategic initiatives aligned with the Smart, Connected Communities 2030 regional economic development plan, and identifying and securing capital investment through collaboration.

Bethany holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and is currently a Global Executive MBA candidate at the University of Notre Dame. Her work has earned her recognition in Michiana’s 40 Under 40 (2021) and the IBJ’s 250 Most Influential Leaders in Indiana (2024). She is also a recipient of the YWCA Woman of the Year award (2024). Beyond her professional achievements, Bethany is deeply involved in civic engagement, serving on the boards of Startup Moxie Elkhart County, Memorial Hospital, the Indiana Economic Development Association, and other regional organizations. She resides in the South Bend – Elkhart region with her husband, Jim, and their dog, Molly. When they’re not discovering more about the place they call home, they can be found traveling the globe, riding bikes, and scuba diving.

Gina Leichty serves as the 33rd mayor of Goshen and the first woman elected to the office. She leads more than 400 employees across 20 departments and directs city work to strengthen infrastructure, expand opportunity, and improve communication between residents and local government.

Before becoming mayor in 2023, Leichty built a career in business, marketing, and community development. She co-founded Eyedart Creative Studio, a Goshen-based firm that supports local businesses and organizations through branding, events, and design. She also helped launch Goshen’s First Fridays, a downtown event series that draws visitors and celebrates local culture.

Leichty served as president of Goshen Theater Inc. between 2009 and 2017, overseeing the nonprofit’s capital campaign and securing more than $4 million in grants to restore the 1907 venue for public events.

As mayor, Leichty leads Goshen’s initiative to bolster innovation and technology, streamline city operations, and strengthen the city’s ability to serve residents efficiently and transparently.

Her administration promotes responsible growth, sustainability, and partnerships that strengthen Goshen’s position as a forward-looking, connected community.

Kristopher Priemer is a seasoned entrepreneur deeply entrenched in the dynamic world of startups and business innovation. With a remarkable journey that was nurtured during his time in ESTEEM at Notre Dame, he swiftly embraced the entrepreneurial spirit and embarked on a path of relentless ambition.

Kris has fearlessly ventured into numerous endeavors, honing his skills and gaining invaluable insights into the ever-evolving startup landscape. Alongside his own ventures, he leverages his expertise as a trusted consultant, working with a diverse portfolio of regional and national clients, and offering guidance and support to fellow founders on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Driven by a passion for fostering entrepreneurship, Kris has cultivated a vast network within the regional startup ecosystem. These connections have not only opened doors to exciting opportunities but have also provided him with an astute understanding of the challenges that entrepreneurs encounter.

Currently, Kris is spearheading his vision and business concept behind Momentum, a groundbreaking entrepreneurial space for the region. With a focus on building upon the existing ecosystem, he is committed to creating an inclusive environment and nurturing a diverse community of founders and small business owners.

Furthermore, Kris’s dedication extends beyond the business realm. As owner of multiple properties in Downtown South Bend, he holds a vested interest in creating a vibrant neighborhood for those who work, live, and play in DTSB.  With his endless energy and unwavering determination, he continues to make an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape, inspiring and empowering countless others along the way.

Vanessa became the Indiana Chamber’s first female president and CEO on January 5, 2024.

After 20 years in Washington D.C. at the center of politics and power, Vanessa moved “home” to Indianapolis with her husband, a Clay County native, and their two sons. She founded Green Sinders Consulting, a woman-led firm offering strategic advice, project execution and crisis management, and leadership development and coaching services to clients.

Previously, Vanessa served as senior vice president for government affairs at Charter Communications/Spectrum, a Fortune 100 cable and broadband company. She was responsible for directing the company’s strategic policy and political engagement with Congress and the White House, as well as managing a seven-person internal team and 15 external consulting firms.

Vanessa came to Charter after a four-year stint as senior vice president and department head for government affairs at the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In that capacity, she oversaw the association’s advocacy work at the federal, state and local levels, and managed the 10-person government affairs team.

Vanessa’s political and policy roots run deep. For a decade, earlier in her career, she held high-profile positions on Capitol Hill, including chief of staff for then-U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and policy director for former U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire. Additionally, she was chief of staff for the “Campaign to Fix the Debt,” a nonpartisan issue-based coalition advocating for better national fiscal policies. There, she oversaw this implementation of the campaign’s strategy and directed the activities for its 45-person staff.

Vanessa received a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in economics from Dartmouth College.

For Almost 30 years, Amish Shah has focused on making Indiana a better place to live and work. Amish began his career at Kem Krest, a Supply Chain Optimization Company, in 1996 where he serves as CEO.  Under his leadership, Kem Krest has grown to become a $600+ million company that services Fortune 100 companies globally.  Also Amish co
founded ESGI, an early literacy Ed-Tech company which Focuses on reading comprehension for grades K-2, which he exited in 2019.  

Amish has been recognized for his leadership and entrepreneurial talent in a variety of ways, including the Mendoza College of Business “Commitment to Michiana”, Indiana University Bicentential Medal,  Ernst & Young’s 2016 Entrepreneur of the year Ohio 
Valley, a Michiana Forty Under 40 honoree, the Mayor’s Award for Community & Business Achievement, IBJ’s Indiana’s top 250 influnetial leaders and was inducted into the Lake Forest Academy Hall of Fame, his high school alma mater.  

Amish currently serves on the General Motors Supplier Council, Chairs the Harley Davidison Supplier Council,  has been in multiple leadership postions for Young Presidents Organization, and serves on the board for  Indiana University’s Foundation, the Beacon Health System, Junior Achievement serving Elkhart County, Start Up Moxie 
,The South Bend–Elkhart Regional Partnership and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.  Additionally, Amish is very active in community and regional development through many projects and ad-hoc councils. He is particularly passionate about building the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

Amish and his wife Amy, daughter Maya, and sons Samuel, Charlie and William live in Elkhart, Indiana where Shah was born.  Amish holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Indiana University and an MBA from the University Notre Dame.