Melissa Barnes

BA 1989, Political Science

Senior Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Melissa Stapleton Barnes became senior vice president, enterprise risk management, and chief ethics and compliance officer for Eli Lilly and Company in January 2013.  She also serves as a member of the company’s executive committee.

Prior to taking this role, Melissa was vice president and deputy general counsel, global litigation and specialty legal.  In this capacity, she was responsible for overseeing the company’s global litigation and investigations, as well as managing the corporate secretary’s office and specialty legal functions.  Since joining Lilly in 1994, she has held a variety of legal and business roles, including general counsel for Lilly Diabetes and Lilly Oncology, managed market segment leader for national accounts, and Six Sigma black belt. 

Born in Noblesville, Indiana, Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science degree with highest distinction from Purdue University and a law degree from Harvard Law School.  Prior to joining Lilly, Melissa was a litigator at the law firm of Baker & Daniels in Indianapolis.