IndyBar: Terry Tolliver is More than Just the APABA-IN President

By Bryssa Helton

The Indiana Chapter of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association has been around for 10 years now, featuring numerous impressive presidents. One of whom is Terry Tolliver. As the 2024 APABA-IN president, Tolliver has focused his leadership efforts on helping secure the organization’s future. In 2023 they hosted the national conference for APABA in Indianapolis, bringing much deserved visibility to the association. The organization was poised for the ‘next step’ following such a momentous achievement, and Tolliver ensured that step would be taken.

“My main goal as president was to really professionalize the organization; focus on the nuts and bolts,” Tolliver told IndyBar staff during a phone interview. Alongside the APABA-IN executive committee, they’ve almost concluded the selection of a membership management platform that will allow them to better track, engage with, and recruit members to the organization. Tolliver has put time in identifying potential locations that would serve as ‘home base’ for the association and has continued to build out their articles and bylaws. “I know that all of this behind the scenes work will only help APABA-IN continue to identify leaders and help get them into the positions they’re looking for.” Tolliver is truly proud of the work he’s done as president to take the association to the next level.

Unbeknownst to most, Tolliver is searching for more than just the perfect association management software, permanent space, or next rockstar leader. He’s searching for a kidney.

Tolliver has been living with Polycystic Kidney Diseases (PKD), a genetic condition that causes the formation of cysts on the kidneys, eventually leading to loss of function. After years spent managing the condition, Tolliver is at a critical point. He needs a kidney transplant. “Living with PKD has been a challenging journey” Tolliver remarks on his National Kidney Registry site. Now that his doctors have placed him on the kidney transplant list, he’s working to identify a compatible, hopefully living, donor. A kidney transplant from a living donor can significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome and provide a much better quality of life. “That’s why I’m reaching out to my community, friends, and loved ones in hopes of finding an individual who might consider becoming a living donor,” Tolliver adds on his webpage.

When asked about this journey over the phone, Tolliver made it clear just how supportive Indianapolis legal community, specifically IndyBar, is. “It’s the nature of lawyers to help, especially in times of need. We should let more people know that!” After a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the opportunity to share his APABA-IN and kidney transplant journeys, Tolliver added “we as lawyers do so much for our communities. We really do make the world a better place, and we should remember that!”

If you’d like to learn more about Terry Tolliver’s kidney transplant journey, share his search with your network, or check to see if you’d make a compatible donor, visit nkr.org/FFN928.•