The Ombuds Blog: CEO Explains Why He Created an Ombuds Program

July 11, 2025

CEO Explains Why He Created an Ombuds Program

The CEO of Cambridge Innovation Center, an American real estate services company, explains why he established an Ombuds office in a video shared by MWI. CIC, an American real estate services company, was founded by Tim Rowe, the son of Mary Rowe, MIT's first Ombuds. In the video, Tim Rowe talks about the desire to create a positive workplace culture and retain employees. (MWI Video.)

Revised 7/12/25: The post initially and incorrectly stated that Rowe did not mention MWI. I apologize for the error.

2 comments:

Anonymous7/12/2025 3:57 AM
MWI is actually mentioned at about minute 2:25.
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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany/Austria -- Ombudspersonen and Ombudsleute

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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