Job Posting: Emory University

The private research university in Atlanta is hiring its next University Ombudsperson. The posting states that the position reports to the University Ombudsperson and Senior Advisor to the President, a position held by Lynell Cadray since October 2019. Brian Green is the Associate Ombuds. The Emory Ombuds Office serves faculty, staff, and students, and practices to IOA standards. 

UC Berkeley Staff Ombuds Office Posts FY25 Report

The Staff Ombuds Office at the University of California, Berkeley has released its 2025 Annual Summary of Activity, reporting 234 cases and 13 facilitated discussions. More than a quarter of the cases were assessed as "a high organizational impact, involving senior leadership or serious policy concerns." Managed under contract with MWI, the office saw the addition of three new Ombuds last year: Tera Bisbee, Ralph Johnson, and Jen Sims; and the departure of Assistant Ombuds Shatika Ricketts.

Article Highlights Role of Ombuds in Building Capacity for Constructive Conflict

An article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review argues that organizations must move beyond compliance-driven grievance systems to build real capacity for constructive conflict. In “Building Organizational Capacity for Constructive Conflict,” Jenny Yang and Rachel Godsil contend that while formal processes are necessary, they are often reactive and adversarial, discouraging early voice and eroding trust. Disagreement, they suggest, can be a source of learning and performance if organizations create safe, credible avenues for raising concerns. 

Meet the Student Ombuds at Karolinska Institutet

In May 2025, Alexandra Kambler and Ingrid Öberg were appointed as the as Student Ombuds for the leading medical research university in Sweden. They are based within Medicinska Föreningen i Stockholm and serve about 6,500 students and 2,200 doctoral students, providing confidential, independent, and impartial support on matters including grade appeals, eligibility questions, conflicts, and disciplinary cases. 

National Planning Conference Renews Ombuds Services with MWI

MWI will provide conference Ombuds services for the American Planning Association’s 2026 National Planning Conference, April 25–28, 2026, in Detroit, which is expected to draw more than 5,000 attendees. Nnena Odim returns for a fourth year as Conference Ombuds

University of Innsbruck Appoints Ombuds

Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck has appointed Milan Ončák as Ombudsperson for PhD students. The appointment establishes a new Ombuds function at the large research university in capital of Austria's Tyrol county. 

Registration Opens for Certificate Program at Danube University Krems

The application window has opened for the new certificate program: “Managing Conflict and Effective Dispute Resolution in Higher Education” at the University for Continuing Education Krems (Universität für Weiterbildung Krems). Developed in cooperation with ENOHE and billed as the first formal training in Europe for professional conflict management in higher education, the two-semester program is tailored to Ombuds and others handling student complaints and stakeholder conflicts.

Partners in the Outdoors Conference Renews with MWI

For the third consecutive year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has partnered with MWI to provide Ombuds services for its Partners in the Outdoors Conference, taking place April 27–29, 2026, at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. Jai Calloway will return as Conference Ombuds for the event, which convenes leaders from across sectors to explore the evolving relationship between conservation and outdoor recreation in Colorado.

The Global Fund and Gavi Select Next Ombuds

Rahele Stoessel Malanca has been appointed the new Ombuds for The Global Fund and Gavi, the world’s largest public-private health partnerships that are funding vaccines and diseases prevention in low-income countries. Based at the joint offices in Geneva, Malanca will provide Ombuds services to employees and contractors worldwide following IOA standards.

Job Posting: SOS Children's Villages, Malawi

The Austria-based international development organization for children is hiring National Ombuds in the capital city of Lilongwe. The full-time, 20-month contract position is expected to report to Nandisa Tilayi, the SOS Regional Ombuds for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Water Environment Federation Retains MWI for Conference Ombuds Services

WEF, an international professional association for water quality professionals, has expanded its partnership with MWI, entering into a two-year agreement for conference Ombuds services at WEF Events through 2027. Caitlan Hendrickson has been the conference Ombuds for WEF's Technical Exhibition and Conference since 2022 and will be joined by Jai Calloway and Josh Hoch. MWI provides services in alignment with IOA standards, supporting WEF’s efforts to foster respectful and inclusive professional environments at its conferences.

ENOHE Offers Conference Grants for New Ombuds from the Global South

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education is offering grants to support up to five higher education Ombuds who are new to the field to attend its 2026 annual conference at AGH University of Krakow. Launched in 2025, ENOHE's initiative is intended to expand access for Ombuds in the Global South with fewer than three years of practice. Each grant covers the conference registration fee and provides a €500 stipend toward travel and accommodation expenses.

New Jersey Bill Would Establish Transfer Ombudsperson

The New Jersey General Assembly is considering A1315, which would create a New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. (An identical bill is pending in the state senate.) The bill would authorize the Ombuds to assist students and public institutions with credit-transfer disputes, serve as an impartial third-party mediator upon request, review the statewide transfer agreement, and issue an annual public report. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee. 

Extended Call for Presenters: CIDR's 2026 Symposium at Saint Paul University

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has extended the submission deadline for its annual symposium in May 2026. The deadline for proposals is now March 2, 2026. The hybrid virtual and in-person conference, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times," will be keynoted by Bernie Mayer. (CIDR Call for Papers and Panels.)

Save the Date: IOA September Symposium 2026

The International Ombuds Association has announced that its September Symposium will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC. Further details will be posted when they become available. (IOA Events.)