Leading Teams on and off the Court: Business, Community and the Power of Sports
A Conversation With Mel Raines
Date: Thursday, October 2
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall
Mel Raines is in her 11th year with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, currently serving as CEO and overseeing all business operations for the Indiana Pacers, the Indiana Fever of the WNBA, the Noblesville Boom of the G League, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals in 2025.
Raines has more than 30 years of operations, legislative, political, corporate and public affairs experience. Prior to joining the Pacers, she was chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks of Indiana, managing three offices and all legislative, constituent services and communications staff.
From 2009-12, she was a principal architect of Indianapolis’ acclaimed 2012 Super Bowl, serving as vice president of government relations and event operations for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and 14 committees.
Raines also has worked in various roles on six Republican National Conventions including as chief operating officer for the 2008 convention and as a senior advisor for the 2012 and 2016 conventions.
Earlier in her career, Raines served as assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for political affairs, directing all of Cheney’s political and domestic outreach activities. She also held several leadership positions at Altria Corporate Services and at the Republican National Committee. She began her career on Capitol Hill with U.S. Sen. Daniel Coats of Indiana.
A South Bend native and graduate of Indiana University with a degree in telecommunications, Raines sits on the board of directors of the Pacers Foundation, Indy Chamber, Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Zoo and the Economic Club of Indiana as well as the board of trustees for Citizens Energy Group. She lives in Indianapolis.
