JAMS Pathways Adds Ombuds Services

JAMS Pathways, a division of the large ADR provider JAMS that launched in 2023, has added Ombuds services to its portfolio. JAMS Pathways now offers outsourced Ombuds services alongside workplace assessments, conflict coaching, mediation, facilitation, and training. According to the company, its Ombuds provide confidential, independent, impartial, and informal assistance to employees and other stakeholders while helping organizations identify systemic issues and emerging trends. JAMS does not explicitly reference IOA standards in its materials.

Job Posting: University of California, Davis

The public research university near Sacramento is hiring an Associate Ombuds. The position will join an office led by Director Lauren Bloom and including Associate Ombuds Jenny Vaccari and Casey Woods and Assistant Ombuds Katie Ranney, that serves about 75,000 faculty, staff, and students. The hybrid position, based in Davis with some work in Sacramento, will fill a vacancy left by Lindsey Ensor. 

Meet the Inaugural Faculty Ombuds at Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology appointed Sahra Sedigh Sarvestani as its first Faculty Ombuds in June 2023. (The webpage for her office went live this week.) The public research university in Rolla, Missouri established the part-time position to serve its 400 faculty members with workplace concerns and resolving conflicts. 

European Central Bank Adopts Privacy Policy for its Mediator/Ombuds

The European Central Bank has published a privacy statement for its Mediation/Ombuds Function, the independent service that assists staff in resolving workplace concerns. (Spyridon (Spyros) Antonelos was appointed the inaugural ECB Mediator/Ombuds in 2023.) The statement outlines strict limits on the collection, processing, and retention of personal data. Furthermore, the statement identifies how the IOA Standards of Practice are aligned with EU data protection law. 

Cornell University Selects Assistant Ombuds

Cornell has hired Maria Zambos as an Assistant Ombuds in its Office of the University Ombuds. She joins University Ombuds Bruce Lewenstein and Assistant Ombuds Ati Alipour in the office that serves students, faculty, and staff across the university. 

Job Posting: Boston University

The private research university in Massachusetts serving an Associate Ombuds. The position reports to University Ombuds Francine Montemurro along with Associate Ombuds Lailul Ikram. The search will fill a position previously held by Erin Wright. 

University of Calgary Names Student Ombuds

Yan Zhang has been appointed Student Ombuds for the University of Calgary, the public research university in Alberta. Zhang will serve as a resource for more than 36,000 students and succeeds Karen Quinn, who served as Interim Student Ombuds for less than one year. 

Job Posting: U.S. Secret Service

The federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security is hiring an Organizational Ombudsman. Based within the USSS Office of the Director, the Ombuds will (re)establish and manage a new Ombudsman Program for internal stakeholders to provide confidential and impartial assistance to employees and managers, informal conflict resolution, identification of systemic workplace issues, and advising agency leadership on organizational improvements. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Doctors of the World

Ärzte der Welt, the German section of the international humanitarian organization Médecins du Monde, is seeking a volunteer Ombudsperson. The remote position will serve as an independent and confidential resource for employees, volunteers, partners, and others who wish to raise concerns about misconduct, conflicts, or other organizational issues. The appointment is intended to be long-term and must be held by an individual who has not had a contractual relationship with the organization during the previous three years. 

UCSF Adds Associate Ombuds

The University of California, San Francisco has appointed Gabriel Herrera as an Associate Ombuds, filling the position vacated by Misty Loetterle. Herrera joins a team that includes Ombuds Ellen Goldstein, Kate Flynn, and Paula Trejo-Phillips. In addition, Jonah Pedersen joined the office in November 2025 as Ombuds Coordinator. 

Registration Opens for 2026 Summer Virtual Small California Caucus

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has opened registration for its fourth annual summer meeting. The online event on the morning of June 25, 2026, usually previews the topic for the traditional fall caucus in Pacific Grove.

Here are more details from announcement:

Job Posting: Los Alamos National Laboratory

The U.S. Department of Energy laboratory near Santa Fe, New Mexico, is hiring an Ombuds Specialist at level 3 or 4. The position reports to Ombuds Office Director Cindy Mazur. Depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate, additional responsibilities may be assigned at the higher level.

Emory University Selects Next Ombuds

Angela Dash has been hired as the next Ombudsperson for the major private research university in Atlanta. She will report to Lynell Cadray, the University Ombudsperson and Senior Advisor to the President, who established the position in October 2019. 

Job Posting: Synchrony Financial

Synchrony, the large consumer financial services company is seeking its next Vice President of Ombuds and Ethics. The search will fill a position held by JoAnne Harvey since March 2025. The role combines Ombuds functions with broader ethics, compliance, and conduct risk responsibilities within a corporate governance structure. The role sits within the Risk & Compliance function and is responsible for leading the organization’s Ombuds and Ethics program, including oversight of conflict of interest processes, conduct risk governance, and related ethics reporting and controls. The role is based at the company’s corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT, with hybrid work flexibility. 

University of Iowa Names Next Faculty Ombuds

Barry Schreier has been appointed the next Faculty Ombudsperson at the University of Iowa following an internal search. Schreier, a licensed psychologist and Professor of Counseling Psychology, will replace Meenakshi “Gigi” Durham, who has served in the half-time faculty Ombuds role since 2021. The Faculty Ombudsperson is part of the university’s Ombuds Office, but reports separately to the university president. The appointment begins July 1 and carries a four-year term.