OUR STAFF
Brittany Short, Project Director, Connect in Elkhart County
Brittany Short is the project director of Connect in Elkhart County, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County that seeks to connect, expand and activate the county’s trail network.
Prior to joining the foundation in April 2022, she was president of the Friends of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Inc. board of directors. In that role, she led land negotiations and acquisitions, trail development activities, and maintained and expanded important relationships with municipal partners. She continues to be the project manager for closing the final gap in the Pumpkinvine trail.
She and her husband, Spencer, have owned and operated bike shops in Middlebury and Elkhart together for the past 11 years. They have two children.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Goshen College.
She enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors and traveling.
Karla Beasley, Assistant Director of the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition
Karla Beasley joined the Community Foundation of Elkhart County as the Assistant Director of the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition in November 2024. Her role includes promoting the use of the trails, reinforcing the work of the coalition, and building on the current frameworks for future trail systems.
After graduating with a degree in English from Manchester University, she spent 20 years coordinating volunteers at Goshen Health and 3 years managing events at Wellfield Botanic Gardens.
Karla has been married to her husband, Jared, for more than 25 years. They have three adult children. Karla loves being outdoors. She has run more than a dozen marathons, visited numerous national parks, and enjoys gardening on her property.
Melinda Freeze, Administrative Coordinator for Program Initiatives
Melinda Freeze has been with the Community Foundation of Elkhart County since January of 2024 as the Administrative Coordinator for Program Initiatives. She helps to support Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition, which is focused on connecting and expanding trails and pathways in Elkhart County, and Building Strong Brains, which is creating a system of support to prepare children for kindergarten and ongoing success. Her role includes the coordination of finances, planning and orchestration of events, and communicating with constituents.
Melinda worked previously in the business department and in administrative roles for Concord Community Schools.
She has also been a training coordinator and program supervisor for Elkhart County CASA.
Melinda has been married for more than 35 years and is a mother of three adult children.