Choosing Indy

Alli Donovan
7 days ago
6 min read

Inside the Life in Indy initiative: how local women are opening doors, sharing stories, and helping others call this region home.

Indianapolis is a city of momentum. The Indy region is a place of opportunity—ranked among America’s Best Places to Start a Career, a Best Food City, and one of the Hottest Housing Markets in the country. It’s a place where careers take off, ideas are nurtured, and communities welcome you in. But beyond the numbers and accolades, what makes this region thrive are the people who live here—the neighbors who open doors, the leaders who build community, and especially the women who shape the story of Indy every day.

That’s where Life in Indy comes in. Born out of the Indy Chamber as a talent attraction and retention initiative, Life in Indy was created to tell the authentic story of what it means to live, work, and belong in Indianapolis and the surrounding region. It is the region’s livability initiative—grounded in real people, real neighborhoods, and real connections.

Through insider guides, first-person stories, and a network of local ambassadors called Indyfluencers, Life in Indy is showing the world why more people are choosing to call Indy home—and why those already here choose to stay.

What is Life in Indy?

At its core, Life in Indy is a hub for exploring what makes the Indianapolis region special. Covering ten counties of Central Indiana, the initiative highlights everything from key industries to hidden gems in neighborhoods. It connects prospective residents with locals who share their passions, while also helping current residents and returning “boomerangs” rediscover why they fell in love with the community in the first place. And for college students and interns, it offers a window into the life they could build here after graduation.

Life in Indy provides content and connection tailored to these audiences through neighborhood guides, insider recommendations, and authentic personal journeys. Together, these stories create a holistic picture of what it truly means to live, work, and belong in Indy.

The initiative also partners with MakeMyMove to support new residents relocating to the region. Through experience-based incentives, movers are equipped to make the most of Indy in their very first year, ensuring they not only land here but thrive here.

For college students, Life in Indy hosts Fast Forward, an opportunity expo that connects interns and early-career talent with organizations ready to elevate their futures in Indy, not just in the workplace, but across every aspect of their lives.

This authenticity and intentionality are what set Life in Indy apart. In a world where remote work makes geography flexible, people want to know what life really feels like in a city before they choose to move there. Life in Indy helps answer that question: What would my life look like if I lived here?

The Indyfluencer Network

That’s where the Indyfluencers come in. This diverse group of residents serves as regional ambassadors, lending their voices, time, and experiences to help others picture themselves in Indy.

Think about it: if you’ve never been to Indianapolis, don’t know anyone here, and aren’t familiar with the neighborhoods or local culture—who do you turn to? Where do you go for answers? That’s the gap the Indyfluencer Network fills. Life in Indy connects you directly to real people with real experiences, providing the kind of local perspective you simply can’t find in a relocation guide or online search.

Indyfluencers share what they love most, whether that’s cheering on their favorite sports team, finding the best latte in town, or building a career in one of Indy’s growing industries. Their content is featured on Life in Indy’s website and social channels, giving newcomers a direct line into the region’s culture and community.

But the program isn’t just about showcasing things to do. It’s about connection. Prospective residents can meet one-on-one with Indyfluencers, gaining insight into neighborhoods, careers, and social circles. That personal connection often makes the difference between someone merely considering Indy and someone committing to building their life here.

And within the network itself, Indyfluencers gain opportunities to connect with each other, expand their own circles, and grow as leaders in the community, all while strengthening the region from the inside out.

A Shoutout to a Few of the Women Telling Our Story

Women play a particularly powerful role in the Indyfluencer network. Their voices bring dimension, authenticity, and empowerment to the broader story of Indianapolis. Through their experiences, you see not just a city, but a community where women lead, connect, and thrive.

For Alana McConnell, being an Indyfluencer has expanded her connection to the city far beyond her own neighborhood.

“It’s easy to stay within the confines of your own area, but I’ve been able to attend events all over the city that spark an awe of just how diverse and lively Indianapolis truly is,” she reflects.

For her, belonging in Indy is as much about cheering with pride for a Colts' win or hearing the roar of the Speedway as it is about sipping hot chocolate at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. “It’s a haven of community, opportunity, and connectedness.”

Kylie Stine has found a unique kind of sisterhood through the network.

“Being part of Life in Indy has allowed me to connect with women leaders in Indianapolis whom I admire, both at the peer and mentor-mentee level,” she says.

Her idea of belonging is rooted in both authenticity and joy—from spaces like MORE Magazine and Indy Maven to events like the Barbie Party she hosted at The Vogue. “At that event, I saw women of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities coming together to celebrate women and share joy.”

Lauren Kenny also played a pivotal role in shaping the Indyfluencer community during her time as the Life in Indy Community Manager at the Indy Chamber. She helped manage the network from its inception—matching Indyfluencers with prospective residents and curating a culture of connection that continues to grow today.

Reflecting on her own experience, she says, “The individuals in the network have introduced me to so many different experiences that are special to their neighborhoods, from restaurants to activities to local events I might never have discovered on my own.”

For Lauren, belonging meant getting out, showing up, and creating her own sense of home in the city. “Women’s stories not only reflect Indy as it is, but also shape what it can become.”

Together, voices like Alana’s, Kylie’s, and Lauren’s weave a powerful narrative: Indianapolis is a city for women who create, women who connect, and women who thrive. Their experiences show that women aren’t just living in Indy; they are shaping its story, one connection, one opportunity, and one act of community at a time.

The Impact of Life in Indy

The influence of Life in Indy and the Indyfluencer program extends far beyond promotion. Together, they directly shape the region’s growth and vitality.

Attracting Talent: By sharing real stories, Indyfluencers help prospective residents see themselves here, easing the leap of relocating to a new city.
Retaining Talent: For those already in Indy, Life in Indy reinforces reasons to stay—reminding them of the opportunities, connections, and sense of belonging that are unlike anywhere else.
Building Community: The network fosters pride among locals, giving them a platform to celebrate their neighborhoods, highlight hidden gems, and champion their city.

We live in a time where people can work from almost anywhere. Life in Indy makes the case that the Indy region isn’t just a good option; it’s the best option. And much of that case is being made by women, whose voices highlight not just the opportunities of a city, but the spirit of a community.

Because Indy has a way of giving back exactly what you put into it. The love, effort, and passion you bring to this place comes right back to you, whether that’s through a booming, busy day, a slower-paced lifestyle, or a little mix of both. The Indy region gives its residents the life they want to live.

To the Women Who Choose Indy

To the women who inspire. To the women who uplift. To the women who challenge, who pour into others, and who make Indianapolis stronger every day—this is for you.

Life in Indy is more than a platform. It’s a reflection of the people who shape this city. And at the center are women who prove every day that Indianapolis isn’t just a place to live. It’s a place to belong, to grow, and to thrive.

Indy is made up of the stories of women who are doing the work, leading change, and saying proudly: