Salma Taman
Development Director
A Bit More About Us
Indianapolis, IN
Founded in 2010
We envision a future where Indiana is recognized internationally as a leader of creativity and innovation.
Our mission is to support, empower, and grow the creative economy.
Our Work
Centered On These Pillars
CONVENING
We believe in the power of bringing people together, the possibility afforded through building networks for change. The work we’re engaged with is a responsibility we all share, so collaboration is key to everything we do. In line with this pillar, we aim to establish an active, statewide coalition of stakeholders around a shared vision for Indiana’s Creative Economy.
CULTIVATING
For more than a decade, we’ve seen the direct impact of investing in individuals and small groups. We’re not here to reinvent the wheel. We’re here to buff it up and get it rolling on the right track. With this pillar in mind, we intend to design scalable and replicable models for talent development and retention within Indiana’s Creative Economy.
CONVEYING
At our core, we are storytelling animals, all of us. And at Pattern, we’ve given that impulse a makeover, a voice coach, and a platform. It’s a noisy world out there, so you can’t just assume the right folks will get the right message on time. Inspired by this particular pillar, we’ve committed to building and deploying a compelling case for the Creative Economy as an integral economic sector in Indiana.
ADVOCACY
Talent doesn’t fail. Systems do. Pattern works to close the gap between how creative work functions in practice and how it’s understood in policy and funding decisions. By bringing credible data, lived experience, and trusted relationships into decision-making spaces, we help align public and private systems with the needs of Indiana’s Creative Economy. This work isn’t about lobbying for one program or outcome. It’s about ensuring creative industries are visible, valued, and planned for over the long term.
Meet Our Team
Executive Director
Polina Osherov
For some folks, Osherov is a bit of a Midwest anomaly. Born and raised in the Soviet Union, Osherov spent her pre-teen and teenage years in Melbourne, Australia, before moving to Chicago for college . . . before finally settling in Indiana. (You’re on your own for the age math, but if you want a wild story, ask her about her tonsils.) Which is to say, she’s cut from a vibrant, multi-cultural cloth that spans three continents and a whole lot of experience.
As a commercial fashion and portrait photographer, Osherov is a creative entrepreneur herself. She was also one of several Pattern co-founders and has been with the organization every day since. With her guidance, this local, volunteer-run meet-up has grown into a 501(c)3 committed to making Indiana a better, more enticing place for creatives and entrepreneurs alike.
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Andee Simpson
Chief of Staff -
Destiny Taylor
Fractional Marketing Director -
Frances Kepes
Lead Storyteller -
Lindsay Hadley
Fractional Design Director -
Jacob Chaves
Graphic Designer -
Marcie Couet
Special Projects Coordinator -
Sarah Silcox
Event Director, Creative Economy Summit -
Lee Herin
Lead Instructor, StitchWorks
Fellows
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Lydia Norton
Special Projects -
Avery Martin
Communications -
Zoe Munger
Graphic Design -
Emily Mellentine
Events + Sponsorships -
Sophie Treend
Digital Multimedia
Interns
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Maradyn Hardesty
Graphic Design
Board of Directors
Board Chair
Melanie Allen | Founder and CEO, Green Loop Marketing
Board Treasurer
Mitch Katz | CEO, CFO Plus
Board Members
Alan Bacon | Co-Founder & Creative Director, GANGGANG
Isaac Bamgbose | President and CEO, New City Development
Caitlin Byczko | IP Attorney, Barnes & Thornburg
Lafayette Jordan | Assistant Director of State Relations, IU
Laurel Judkins | Executive Director, GIPC
Lindsey deMaintenon | Executive Director, Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative
NaShara Mitchell | Principal, Context Advising
Brian Payne | Principal, Carver Strategies
Ace Yakey | Retired, Lilly Endowment
Advisory Board
Sara Savu | Director, Forvis Mazars
Yemisi Sanni | Owner, Stylenspire
Ellen White
Barry Wormser | Principal, Wormser & Casey
at the Stutz
Pattern HQ
The Stutz is an inspiring, creative hub, historically connected to the Indiana arts and culture scene. The artists (and parties) of the building are legendary and have made a lasting mark on the local community. Having the Pattern office at the Stutz allows us to be plugged in to the artistic and economic innovation happening downtown, while leveraging the building, its tenants, and its reputation to host dynamic events, set our S.P.A.C.E. residents up for success, and offer affordable workspaces for creatives.
