Indiana 250: Melina Kennedy

Melina Kennedy is CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, a group of leaders from corporations, foundations and universities who want to promote prosperity in the region. In that role, she’s worked to reinforce the state’s status as an innovation hub and is focused on growing the life sciences business sector through the partnership’s BioCrossroads initiative. In recent years, she helped secure the long-term commitment of the Indiana Pacers and major capital improvements to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

First job

My family had a restaurant, and I worked many hours there. While I probably didn’t realize it at the time, I learned a lot about the importance of customers and making sure the product and experience will keep bringing them back.

Job swap

I love comedy and humor. If I was better at it myself, I’d love to be in that business. Think of how fun that would be laughing and making other people laugh. My kids would be the first to tell me, though, based on my “bad mom jokes,” that I wouldn’t last too long.

A flub

I ran for office and lost in a very visible and high-profile race. Even though that was personally really hard, I learned a lot from that experience, including how important your family and true friends are, especially when you lose, and that when one door shuts, it always leads to another one opening, so don’t let fear hold you back from trying something you believe in.

Favorite thing about being a leader

I love setting a strategy, defining goals and then powering through challenges—whatever they may be—with a strong and aligned team that has fun together. A good leader has the fortune to find, coach and support great employees that make up that team and work together toward the common vision
and goals.

Something surprising

I love to ice skate.

Admires most

I most admire firefighters and nurses. There is definitely a special place in heaven for those who choose to serve in that way.

Favorite device or gadget

In cold Indiana winters, my favorite gadget is a heated blanket.

Leadership lessons

Nothing great can be done alone. Embrace the fact that it takes a team to do great things, and recognize, invest in, and engage with your team fully to be successful.

Walk-up song

U2’s “Elevation.” Or most anything U2.

Advice for a young person

Work hard, treat others with respect and care, be curious and ask questions freely to learn to your full potential, and make time to get to know your teammates. These sound simple and obvious, but in my view, they are foundational practices that enable success.•