Digital Cover Story - Susanna Taft Illig

Susanna Taft Illig: Fixing Old Buildings, Rethinking Old Systems

Susanna Taft Illig grew up steeped in civic creativity. As the daughter of Joanna Taft, executive director of The Harrison Center, and Bill Taft (formerly of Local Initiatives Support Corporation), she’s the product of a family that’s spent decades shaping Indianapolis through arts, placemaking, and neighborhood revitalization. But Taft Illig is charting her own path—quieter, perhaps, but no less impactful. Through her consulting firm, Valo Advisory, and a hands-on real estate rehab project with her family, she’s blending economic development, creative thinking, and deep respect for place.

Taft Illig’s work sits at the intersection of legacy and innovation. Whether she’s advising on nonprofit strategies or helping revitalize a corner building with the potential to house a future coffee shop, her approach is rooted in patience, intentionality, and love for the character of old spaces. She’s one of a growing number of creative entrepreneurs reimagining what it means to build community infrastructure—not just through programming, but through physical space, economic connections, and long-term investment in neighborhoods. In our conversation, she reflects on generational influence, creative identity, and what it will take to grow a thriving creative economy in Indianapolis.

Per usual, we’ve edited the transcript for clarity and brevity.

Polina Osherov: Growing up with two parents deeply embedded in arts and civic life, how did that shape your view of creativity, place, and community?

Susanna Taft Illig: My parents are some of the most active and inspired people I know. They had this way of building community that created outcomes driven by people’s needs and voices. Watching that made me realize people are always looking for a place to belong and people to support them, and when that happens, creativity and civic innovation thrive. My parents also taught me how to be resourceful. The way they helped solve community challenges led to some outlandish solutions that actually worked.

PO: How did that upbringing influence your own career and projects?

SI: In many ways, my upbringing made me believe that “normal” is boring. I’ve always been drawn to nontraditional approaches in traditional spaces. That’s where I thrive. In economic development and real estate, I’m most excited by projects that center community—those are more relevant, impactful, and dynamic. I like walking into traditional settings and asking different questions, knowing I’ll approach things creatively and hopefully uncover more value or a better solution.

PO: Can you give an example of that creative approach in action?

SI: Sure—take economic development. Traditionally, it’s about job creation and investment. But I think we should also ask: how do small businesses enhance quality of life? How do they make a neighborhood or a city a place people actually want to live? How can we adjust our tools or partnerships to work for these projects? Just by asking questions like these, I’ve been able to move a number of “nontraditional” economic development projects forward. I like working at that intersection of small businesses, creatives, and the business community—finding healthier, more connected relationships among them.

PO: Have you intentionally done anything different from your parents' path?

SI: I’m actually the first in the Taft family to be self-employed, which feels both exciting and a little daunting. While my parents didn’t model business ownership in the traditional sense, they absolutely modeled entrepreneurial thinking—especially in the way they built nonprofits and shaped creative initiatives. I’ve always had a wide range of interests and skills, and starting my own consulting firm has given me the freedom to explore where those intersect. 

PO: What’s the focus of your consulting company, Valo Advisory? What problem are you solving?

SI: There’s been a lot of shifting in civic spaces in Indy—leaders moving on, transitions post-COVID—and that creates gaps. I initially started Valo Advisory to help fill those gaps. I focus on economic development and place-based nonprofit work, aiming to provide some continuity and connective tissue. I bring nearly ten years of experience in economic development and small business support to the table, which matters in a city where people move in and out of roles frequently. I love stepping in as a connector, creative problem-solver, and trusted thought partner for organizations aiming to make the city a healthier, stronger community.

PO: In your view, what does a thriving creative economy look like in Indianapolis?

SI: It takes energy from every direction: consumers who show up to support local businesses and art, philanthropy to launch new ideas, and civic leadership to create a real strategy with funding. Indy needs better alignment and buy-in, especially from business leaders. Pattern is doing a lot to grow and advocate for the creative economy, but we need broader momentum.

PO: Why is the private sector mostly absent, and how do we get them on board?

SI: We need to show them that supporting the creative economy is good for business. It helps if there are plug-and-play programs—ready-made ways for companies to engage with artists or creative initiatives. The reality is, working with small creative shops or solopreneurs is hard to scale, and time is money. We have to make it easier for businesses to say “yes”.

PO: Do you see Indy’s creative identity evolving?

SI: Yes—in many ways, it’s becoming more localized and neighborhood-specific. First Fridays used to be a citywide fine arts moment, but over time, it fragmented. Now, places like Fountain Square, the east side, or Carmel are doing their own things. Where creation happens often reflects geography, and that’s not a bad thing—it’s just how place and community influence each other, especially in a big city.

PO: What’s your hope for the next ten years of Indy’s creative ecosystem?

SI: I’d love to see the support ecosystem for creatives and small businesses grow and become easier to navigate. Those resources are never enough, but they’re critical to making the creative economy stronger and more accessible. I want it to feel easier to take the leap.

PO: If you had a megaphone to speak to policymakers and economic developers, what would you say?

SI: Don’t be afraid to try something different. We keep falling back on what’s worked for our state or city in the past, but the world has changed. It’s time for new ideas, bold risks, and inspired thinking that reflects where we are today, not thirty years ago.

PO: Tell me about the building you’re renovating—what’s the vision?

SI: My siblings, parents, and I bought this historic commercial building because we care deeply about preserving neighborhood character. It’s our first commercial project together, though we’ve done residential units before. We’d love to see a retail user on the ground floor—maybe a first-time coffee shop owner or a small business looking to grow. It’s about turning this corner into a more active, welcoming space. 

PO: What role do physical spaces play in creative or civic work?

SI: Physical space shapes how we feel, how we connect, and whether we feel like we belong. In civic and creative work, space is rarely neutral… it either invites people in or pushes them out. Creatives are incredibly resourceful and can make magic in any space. But when cities or neighborhoods plan for creative space from the beginning, it changes the equation. It becomes less about survival and more about flourishing. I would love to see more places designed with intention, where people feel rooted, supported, and able to build something lasting.

PO: Most people don’t think of real estate development as a creative act. What’s your take?

SI: Seeing the opportunity and beauty in a dilapidated building or vacant lot overrun with weeds is an incredibly creative act itself. But if you’re focused on short-term ROI, you’re going to miss the opportunity to take your creativity to a more meaningful level. I’m not in real estate for a quick return—I care about the long-term impact, about neighborhood reinvestment, about preserving historic character. But to make this approach more common, we need more patient capital and partners who value vision more than profit alone.

7 Minutes to Shape a More Creative Indiana

Hey, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed my interview with one of Indy’s rising leaders working at the intersection of business, civic engagement, creative placemaking, and problem solving. Every day, I meet people who get why the creative economy is key to building a more prosperous, beautiful Indiana. But let’s be honest—there still aren’t enough decision-makers who see that investing in our designers, makers, artists, and creatives needs to happen now.

Maybe part of the reason is they don’t realize how many of us care about this. Or maybe they don’t see the through-line between what makes places like Nashville, Austin, Charlotte, or Columbus so magnetic—and the creative talent that helped get them there.

So here’s one small but mighty thing you can do: take this survey we’re conducting on behalf of Central Indiana’s Regional Development Authority. Your input will directly influence where major investments go over the next 2–3 years.

Seven minutes. That’s all it takes to shape the future. Because when new leadership is in place, there’s a chance to introduce bold ideas—but only if hundreds (or thousands) of us speak up and make the case.

Let’s be counted! - Polina (SURVEY LINK!)

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This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our friends at Life in Indy.