Indiana Legal Services, Inc. Names Tavonna Harris Askew Chief Executive Officer
PRESS RELEASE
Contact Information:
Indiana Legal Services
Angie Lyon, Chief Development & Communications Officer
Phone: (317) 413-9432
Email: angie.lyon@ilsi.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Indiana Legal Services, Inc. Names Tavonna Harris Askew
Chief Executive Officer
Former ILS staff attorney returns to lead Indiana’s largest civil legal aid organization after a 25-year career in law, governance, and public-sector leadership
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS), the only statewide provider of civil legal advice and representation has named Tavonna Harris Askew, J.D., its new Chief Executive Officer, effective November 9, 2026. Askew, an Indianapolis native and attorney with 25 years of legal and executive leadership experience, will succeed Jon Laramore, who has led ILS as CEO since 2015.
Her selection as CEO is a homecoming for Askew. She began her legal career as a staff attorney at ILS in 2001, shortly after graduating from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Her career has since spanned the public and private sectors, including the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, the City of Indianapolis, the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Cummins Inc., and, most recently, Suburban Health Organization, where she served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
“The ILS Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Tavonna as our next Chief Executive Officer,” said Kristen Harmon, President of the ILS Board of Directors. “Tavonna brings exactly what this moment requires: proven executive leadership, deep experience managing complex organizations and public funding, and a genuine passion for this work. We are confident she will lead ILS with integrity, vision, and heart as we expand equal access to justice for every Hoosier.”
Askew brings a record of measurable results in mission-driven, publicly funded organizations. During more than 15 years at the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County (HHC), she rose from Deputy General Counsel and Director of HIPAA Compliance to Chief of Staff and General Counsel, serving as Corporate Secretary to the HHC Board and as second in command of HHC, the corporate arm of a $1.8 billion public health and hospital system. She helped establish the Marion County Health Department’s first medical-legal partnership and guided HHC’s legal response and crisis communications through the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Cummins Inc., Askew served as Executive Director of Global Investigations and Right Environment, leading a 30-member team and a budget of more than $4 million supporting 75,000 employees worldwide. At Suburban Health Organization, she served as its first in-house counsel, building its legal function from the ground up while advising member hospitals across Indiana.
“I went to law school because I believed a law degree could be a tool for opening doors for people who too often find them closed,” said Askew. “Some of the most meaningful work of my career happened at ILS, sitting across from clients who needed someone to stand with them. Returning to lead this organization is an opportunity to use everything I have learned to give back to the communities that need support the most. I look forward to working alongside the talented ILS team, our board, and our many supporters and partners to protect families’ homes, safety, income, and stability in every corner of Indiana.”
Askew also is President of the Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., leading nearly 400 members dedicated to service in Central Indiana. She has chaired the boards of the Women’s Foundation of Indiana and the Cancer Support Community of Indiana, and she serves on several civic and nonprofit boards, where she helps strengthen governance and advance each organization’s mission.
Her work has earned wide recognition. Earlier this month, the Indiana University Maurer School of Law presented her with its Distinguished Service Award, which honors graduates who have distinguished themselves in service to their communities and the legal profession. She has also received The Indiana Lawyer’s Leadership in Law Distinguished Barrister Award, Junior Achievement of Central Indiana’s Best and Brightest Award in Law, and the Marion County Bar Association’s Community Service Award. In addition, the Indianapolis Business Journal named her to its Forty Under 40 and Women of Influence lists, and Tiffany & Co. recognized her as an international Hometown Heroes honoree.
“I hand the leadership of Indiana Legal Services to Tavonna with great confidence,” said Jon Laramore, ILS Executive Director. “She understands the clients we serve and brings the executive experience, financial discipline, and relationships across Indiana that will carry ILS forward. I am certain that under her leadership, ILS will continue to grow its reach, strengthen its advocacy, and serve even more Hoosiers who need help.”
Askew earned her Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She is also a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series.
About Indiana Legal Services, Inc:
Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a not-for-profit law firm and the largest provider of free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income people in Indiana. ILS helps clients in all 92 counties who are faced with legal problems that harm their ability to obtain basic needs such as food, shelter, income, medical care, or personal safety. ILS also handles cases in other areas including family law where there is domestic violence, housing, consumer law, access to health care, and access to government benefits. ILS does not handle any criminal matters. Our mission is “to use the law to fight poverty and racism, empower clients, and improve access to justice.” Learn more at www.indianalegalservices.org. For legal help, go to https://www.indianalegalservices.org/applyonline/