My Story
I see potential in places that are often overlooked. I always have.
Growing up in downtown Indianapolis in the early ‘90s, I watched my parents invest in the city—not just in its buildings, but its people, its creative energy, and its future. They saw what Indianapolis could become, and they worked to make it a reality. Our dinner table conversations revolved around real estate, community development, and civic engagement, and I was lucky enough to learn from an early age that cities aren’t just built—they are shaped by the people who believe in them.
That belief has guided my career. I’ve spent the last decade working at the intersection of economic development, real estate, and community revitalization, always drawn to projects that require both strategic thinking and creative execution. While my background is in economic development, my experience in marketing, branding, and design gives me a unique perspective on how places and organizations position themselves for growth. Whether it’s structuring an incentive deal, leading a redevelopment effort, or crafting a compelling narrative for a district or initiative, I approach my work with both an analytical mindset and a strong sense of storytelling and design—ensuring that strategy is not just sound, but also clear, engaging, and actionable.
What has always energized me most is the creative process of launching something new—whether it’s a district strategy, a small business initiative, or a building redevelopment, I thrive on turning ideas into action. That’s why I started Valo Advisory. I hope to help economic development agencies, nonprofits, and civic-minded organizations illuminate opportunities in overlooked places and create lasting impact.
Full Bio
Susanna Taft Illig is an economic development consultant with extensive experience helping organizations design and implement initiatives that drive sustainable growth and community revitalization. Susanna specializes in assisting economic development agencies and community-based nonprofits by crafting creative and actionable strategies for business attraction and retention, small business support, and district redevelopment. Throughout her career, Susanna has demonstrated her ability to operationalize new programs and lead collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders.
Before launching Valo Advisory, Susanna served as Deputy Director and later Interim Director of Develop Indy, the economic development organization for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County. Susanna managed a robust project portfolio, securing over $3.8 billion in investment and 39,000 new and retained jobs over a 4 year period. In this role, she negotiated and structured tax incentives, evaluated real estate opportunities, and created business development strategies to attract businesses and investors. Susanna also played a key role in marketing both private and city-owned properties and identifying redevelopment opportunities at the small-scale and district level. She is also experienced in leveraging and operationalizing grant and loan programs; through a partnership with the Indy Chamber and a local CDFI, Susanna helped lead an effort to allocate over $20 million to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work with the City of Indianapolis also led her to serve on the advisory committees for numerous City or partner-led strategic plans covering topics such as trails, incremental development, brownfields, transit-oriented development, workforce development, and inclusive economic growth.
Susanna and her husband, Ian Illig, are residents of the Mapleton-Fall Creek Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN.
EDUCATION
Susanna holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Covenant College and a Graduate Certificate in Business Management from the IU Kelley School of Business.
ASSOCIATIONS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Susanna serves on the Board of Directors for Partners in Housing and is an active member and volunteer with the Indiana Chapter of the Urban Land Institute. She previously served in leadership positions as the Board Co-Chair of Reconnecting to our Waterways and the Founder and Lead Organizer of 1 Million Cups Indianapolis. Susanna is a graduate of several leadership programs including the IndyHub 1828 Leadership Program and the International Center’s Morris Global Leaders Series.
AWARDS
Susanna was recognized early in her career as a recipient of the inaugural Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Twenty in their 20s” award, recognizing her leadership in launching impactful economic development initiatives.
HOBBIES
In her spare time, Susanna enjoys working on renovation projects large and small — from single family homes to historic commercial buildings. Susanna and her husband Ian are big music fans, frequently hosting house shows or album listening parties.
Ready to bring your vision to life?
Feel free to contact me via email or fill out my contact form to discuss the details for your upcoming project or consulting needs.