Tom Crishon serves as the Chief Legal Officer for The Arc of Indiana, a statewide non-profit association dedicated to advocating for and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Since assuming this role in October 2024, Tom has utilized his extensive legal expertise to advance the rights, opportunities, and meaningful participation of individuals with disabilities across Indiana.
Prior to joining The Arc of Indiana, Tom dedicated 14 years to Indiana Disability Rights (IDR), the state's designated Protection and Advocacy system. Starting as a staff attorney and ultimately serving as General Counsel and Legal Director, he played a pivotal role in protecting, promoting, and empowering the rights of individuals with disabilities. While at IDR, Tom also contributed his leadership to several important committees. As a Steering Committee member of the Back Home in Indiana Alliance, he worked to increase the availability of affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing for individuals with disabilities. As a member of the Indiana Bureau of Disabilities Services' Mortality Review Committee, he helped analyze the deaths of individuals receiving state services, identifying trends and developing recommendations to improve provider-specific and system-wide service delivery. Tom also served on NAMI Indiana's Public Policy Committee, advancing policies to support individuals with serious mental illnesses and their families.
In addition to his professional work, Tom is deeply engaged in his parish community at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church in Fishers, Indiana. At the invitation of his Pastor, Father Thomas Haan, Tom joined the Parish's Long Range Planning Committee in December 2023, contributing to the future vision and direction of the parish. He also served on the St. Louis de Montfort School Advisory Council from 2021 to 2024, including as Chair during the 2023-2024 term, supporting the parish school's mission and operations.
Tom brings significant governance and leadership experience to his roles. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, a private, non-profit organization committed to eradicating housing discrimination and promoting inclusive communities. During his tenure, he served as Vice President (2016-2020) and President (2020- 2024). Tom also serves on the Board of Directors of Lampco Federal Credit Union, a communitybased financial institution with a strong commitment to underserved populations.
Tom resides in Fishers, Indiana, with his wife, Mandi, an audiologist, and their two children, Gia (13) and Jace (11), both students at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School. Together, they are active members of their parish community. Tom is dedicated to advancing opportunities for meaningful participation in both church and society, aligning deeply with the mission of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability.