A Remarkable Journey

This is a platform to share the radical pivots, risks, self-evaluations and reflections of people I admire. We dig into the moments that led the people in their lives to go, “She Did What?!” and ultimately, to their personal or professional metamorphosis.

Mel Raines, currently in her tenth season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, serves as the President & COO, as well as the President of the 2024 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee. With over 30 years of experience in operations, legislative, political, corporate, and public affairs, her extensive background includes pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff to Indiana Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks, where she oversaw three offices and managed all legislative, constituent services, and communications staff.

Mel played a significant role in shaping the acclaimed 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, serving as the Vice President of Government Relations and Event Operations for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, overseeing 14 planning committees. Her contribution to various Republican National Conventions is noteworthy, including her roles as the COO for the 2008 Republican National Convention and as a senior advisor for the 2012 and 2016 conventions.

Previously, Mel held a crucial position as the Assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for Political Affairs, overseeing all political and domestic outreach activities. Her career also includes leadership positions at Altria Corporate Services and the Republican National Committee, along with an early start on Capitol Hill with U.S. Sen. Daniel Coats of Indiana.

In this article of She Did What?! Mel shares more about her remarkable journey and how embracing pivots and transformative decisions have defined her path. I started by asking Mel to share one of the pivotal decisions she’s made as well as her thinking behind it and how it has (or hasn’t) served her since. She shares,

In 2009 after leaving the Bush-Cheney administration I decided I didn’t have the passion for politics I once did and decided to move back to my home state of Indiana to work on the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.? It was a total career pivot from politics to sports.? In order to make the move I had to be willing to take a step back in responsibility and a big step back financially but it was absolutely worth it.? I was able to use my operational experience working on Republican Conventions to get the interview and eventually the job but had to prove myself after almost 20 years experience in a new city and industry.? It was absolutely worth it.

This is such an interesting pivot to unpack. Many of our She Did What?! Contributors started their career in politics, but few (if any!) pivoted from politics and into sports. I admire the courage and gumption it must have taken to make such a significant pivot. Another element worth noting is how this change also required a step back in responsibility and financially but how this opened new doors that enriched her career.? I was curious if Mel has a process that she uses every year or every few years to take stock of where she is, where she wants to head and to make a plan to get there. She reflects,

I don’t have a formal system for taking stock of where I am in my career but after this many years in the workforce, my goal is to continue to learn and challenge myself and when that is not happening I know it and look for ways to change or add to my portfolio. In my current position with Pacers Sports & Entertainment this has not been an issue – I have been given regular growth opportunities and projects to manage that have been challenging and fulfilling.?

One thing I appreciate about this is how Mel recognizes that her work environment plays a role in terms of her growth and development. As strivers and achievers, oftentimes we have readers say that they feel as if it’s on them to always be self improving and challenging themselves. While this can be true, it’s also worth noting that the environments in which we work can play a significant role and to look for opportunities and cultures that we know will not only challenge us and teach us new things but proactively seek our development as well. I asked Mel how she not only looks holistically at these opportunities to identify areas of improvement but also how she stays aligned to her priorities during the growth process. She reflects,?

No one is harder on me than I am on myself so I’m always looking at ways to improve.? I also know I have the right people on my team when they are willing to tell me when I’m coming up short as a leader and manager – they continue to push me to be better and are not afraid to tell me about my weaknesses.? I also recently had a 360 review that was incredibly helpful to ensure I reinforce things I do well and focus on areas of improvement. Regarding how I stay aligned in my priorities,? I’m now 30+ years into my career. I know myself well enough to know when something is interesting or not and whether I want to spend my limited free time pursuing it.? My priorities have definitely changed especially in how I want to spend my time with friends and colleagues who enhance my life. I do not make much space for people who do not enhance my life, challenge me or are negative.

It is clear that over the years, Mel’s approach to reinvention and growth has been driven by her self-awareness and a sharp focus on what enriches her life and challenges her to grow. I also appreciate Mel’s call out to the helpfulness of a 360 review. This is another great example of how our places of work can intentionally help us grow and learn more about ourselves.?

To end our time together I asked Mel my favorite question of these interviews.? What are her top tips for radical self-evaluation? I love this question as I feel that it best captures real capture behind the scenes habits and patterns of our high-achieving women in this series. Mel shared:

1. I am a big believer in morning exercise and that’s when I have some of my best epiphanies both personally and professionally (Ashley and I used to run together in the mornings and I’ve had many therapy sessions on a good morning run where I worked things out in my mind).?

1. Talking through with my closest friends where I want to go and what I want to accomplish has always been helpful – I’m blessed with some amazingly smart and driven friends who don’t tell me what I want to hear but what I need to hear.?

1. I read profusely and try to challenge myself by accepting invitations that challenge me (like a recent keynote speech which I don’t do many of because they are frankly tough and require a lot of self-reflection).

1. I enjoy spending time alone which gives me time to reflect and recharge.

Mel has truly had a remarkable journey and it’s clear that embracing change, taking the leap and a continuous process of self reflection and evaluations has been critical to helping her get where she is today. Thank you Mel for sharing your journey with us.?

Have any feedback or ideas for what you’d like to see included on this platform? Reach out to me on LinkedIn.?

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