“Let’s do this.”
That was Danielle Carey-Tolan’s response to Westfield Mayor Scott Willis when he originally decided to run for mayor and wanted her to be his right hand.
“From that moment, Mayor Scott Willis and I started planning to take office in May 2023 after the primary election,” she says. “He asked me to lead his transition team, helping to develop our priorities and pillars so that we could hit the ground running, and believe me, that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
Tolan’s former position as a Westfield Washington Township Trustee provided her with invaluable experience before her transition to the mayor’s office.
“I forged meaningful partnerships throughout the community, county and state, bringing nonprofits and agencies together to collaborate and share resources,” she says. “It was key for me to advance township initiatives by modernizing processes, improving township forms, and working closely with nonprofits to support our community. I also led federal and state projects, while always looking for ways to improve government efficiency.”
During her tenure as trustee, she questioned why townships couldn’t have more sophisticated processes, or collaborate more with local and state agencies to reduce redundancies. This drive led her to sit on both local and state committees, and she was honored to be named Township Trustee of the Year and an Indiana Business Journal Women of Influence recipient.
“All of these experiences helped prepare me for the incredible opportunity to serve as Westfield’s deputy mayor,” she says. “This role feels like it was made for me, to help build and shape a community that’s deeply important to me.”
She is incredibly proud to be part of a long-standing Westfield family with deep roots in this community. Growing up on a farm gave her an appreciation for hard work and resilience, teaching her to not be afraid to get dirty – both metaphorically and literally. The farm life instilled in her the values of perseverance and teamwork.
“It’s a mindset of digging in, doing the hard work and taking pride in the results,” she says. “My connection to this community, both through my family’s history and my own personal journey, gives me a unique perspective and a strong sense of responsibility for Westfield’s future. I still live here, just as my family has for generations.” She is married to her husband, Andrew, and they have one son.
Today, as deputy mayor, Tolan’s role is multifaceted. She provides leadership, strategic direction and policy guidance to the leadership team while assisting the mayor. On any given day, her tasks can vary widely, but they often include acting as a confidant and advisor to the mayor, overseeing key initiatives, developing policy and process efficiencies, identifying potential partners and resources, and managing the city’s internal operations and working with department heads.
In short, Tolan manages the day-to-day operations of the city, ensuring leaders stay focused on strategic goals and work efficiently with all levels of the government and community partners.
She hasn’t gotten here alone. Her family has always played a pivotal role in her career.
“The most influential person in my life has always been my dad,” she says. “Growing up and even now, I’ve watched him give unconditionally to his family, friends, neighbors and community. His servant heart is something I’ve inherited from him. I love being a female leader who’s pushing boundaries and disrupting the status quo in many ways. I’m proud of the fact that I consistently show up as myself, unapologetically. It took a lot of work and drive to get here, both mentally and physically, but it’s been worth it every step of the way.”
Tolan finds motivation, inspiration and empowerment through several favorite books and podcasts.
