Elena Wells

Elena Wells serves as Executive Director of the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee and Chief Operating Officer for San Antonio Sports. In this dual role, she leads efforts to attract, host, and deliver premier sporting events that generate significant economic impact for San Antonio. Most recently, she oversaw the planning and execution of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four, which generated more than $440 million for the local economy, and now leads preparations for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship, continuing San Antonio’s legacy as one of the nation’s premier hosts of championship events.
Wells began her career with San Antonio Sports as an intern in 2001 and has since played integral roles in six NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, as well as numerous other major sporting events. Her career highlights also include serving as Marketing Manager for Visit San Antonio, where she directed marketing for the 2016 expansion of the Henry B. González Convention Center, and as Managing Director for the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four and the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament and Final Four. Today, she continues to lead San Antonio Sports’ bidding and hosting strategy while overseeing marketing, events, and community programs, including serving as Race Director of the San Antonio Marathon and leading the growth of the city's signature marathon.
A proud San Antonio native, Wells is a UTSA alumna, a graduate of Leadership San Antonio (Class 44), and a recipient of the San Antonio Business Journal's 2021 40 Under 40 and 2025 Women's Leadership Award. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Nathan, a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, and cheering on her sons, Jackson and Lucas.