A proven and nationally recognized leader at the helm of the City of Carmel, Mayor Sue Finkam is pioneering a new era of prosperity and community cohesion in this thriving urban community in Central Indiana, ranked one of the most livable mid-size U.S. cities. With a commitment to innovation, stability and inclusivity, Mayor Finkam is reshaping the city’s relationship with its citizens and fostering an environment where all residents and businesses can thrive.
A long-time resident of Carmel, Mayor Finkam has a deep-rooted connection to the community and a keen understanding of its unique needs and aspirations, having served 10 years on the Carmel City Council in various leadership roles and launching her own full-service marketing agency, FireStarter, LLC, in the city. As a direct extension of this experience, Mayor Finkam will focus her leadership on enhancing quality of place, increasing community engagement and ensuring excellent city services for all residents and businesses.
Under her leadership, the City of Carmel has already undergone a visible shift in how it puts people at the center of projects and initiatives and engages the community in new ways. Exemplifying these efforts are the housing study launched in early 2024 to identify gaps in residential needs and the Community Survey, designed to partner with residents and businesses and learn more about their priorities and concerns. Through strategic partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions and civic organizations, Mayor Finkam is similarly focused on supporting the local economy, creating job opportunities and attracting new talent to the region.
After earning her undergraduate degree at Central Michigan University and her Master of Science at Indiana Wesleyan, Mayor Finkam settled in Carmel with her husband, Joe, and raised their son, Drew, where she co-founded LetsTalkCarmel.com, a City of Carmel community transparency portal, and Carmel Porchfest, a music festival held on front porches north of Main Street. She has been named an Enterprising Women of the Year Award Honoree and a Woman of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal. She was also awarded the 2023 Universal Womens Network Vision Builder Award.
With her bold vision and a deep commitment to her community, Mayor Finkam continues to lead into a future for Carmel filled with promise and possibility for all its citizens and the business community and to build a stronger, more resilient city for generations to come.