Melina Kennedy was elected as the chief executive officer of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) in December 2022. CICP is a unique, nationally recognized, strategic collaboration of executive leaders from prominent corporations, philanthropic foundations and universities committed to developing responsive initiatives, making critical investments and delivering ambitious projects to advance inclusive prosperity.

Prior to joining CICP, Kennedy spent eleven years at Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) where she served as Vice President of Product Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, led various business segments in the engine and power systems businesses, and was director of Executive Communications.

Kennedy has more than 25 years of experience in law, government and business. She had a successful law career at the former Baker and Daniels LLP; and was deputy mayor, director of economic development for the City of Indianapolis from 2000 to 2005. In 2011, she was a candidate for mayor of the City of Indianapolis.

Kennedy has had several ties to CICP in her career. In 2002, she represented the City of Indianapolis as part of a collaborative team of founding partners that established BioCrossroads, CICP’s life sciences initiative. In addition, in her role as deputy mayor of economic development, she commissioned the initial planning study that led to the beginning of work on the 16 Tech Innovation District, a project led by CICP.

Kennedy is active in the Indianapolis community. She was president of the Capital Improvement Board of Managers for seven years, where she worked with a bi-partisan group of State leaders and legislators, City leaders and councilors, and Pacers Sports and Entertainment to secure a long-term commitment of the Indiana Pacers to Indianapolis. In addition, Kennedy is currently a board member for the National Bank of Indianapolis; chair of the IU Health Foundation REV event and a board member of the Indiana University Academic Medical Center and is a member of the 2024 NBA All Star Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, with B.S., M.S. and J.D. degrees.