Melangton’s involvement with the sports culture of Indianapolis began in 1983, when she accepted the position of transportation coordinator for USA Gymnastics. She worked her way up to vice president before joining Indiana Sports Corp. in 1994. As senior vice president of events, Melangton was a key player in Indianapolis’ successful bid in 2008 for the 2012 Super Bowl. She then spent the next three years with the host committee developing programs that would both mobilize and achieve a lasting effect in the community.

Melangton says her ability to “build and mold a team” is a quality she relies on when planning major events. She used that strength when faced with thousands of eager Super Bowl volunteers. Her desire to engage the community resulted in more than 12,000 hand-knit scarves and more than 30,000 welcome cards decorated by elementary students for volunteers and visitors.

Melangton is one of only two women to serve as president of a Super Bowl host committee (along with Susan Sherer, in Detroit in 2006). Outside of Indianapolis, her ongoing involvement with NBC’s Olympic gymnastics coverage has earned her four Emmy Awards. After completing her final duties as president of the Super Bowl Host Committee on July 19, Melangton headed to London the next day to work her fifth Olympics as an associate producer for NBC. It’s a role she plans to continue at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She began her new position as president of Indiana Sports Corp. on Sept. 4 and hopes to see the Super Bowl return to Indianapolis in 2018.