Asian Development Bank Announces Next Ombuds

The regional development bank in Metro Manila has selected Anje Schubert as its next Ombudsperson. She follows Wayne Blair, who served in the role for more than eight years. Schubert will lead an IOA-compliant office that provides Ombuds services to all ADB stakeholders and reports to the bank president. The initial appointment will be for three years and may be renewed once.

Job Posting: Harvard University Medical School

The private research university in Cambridge is hiring an Ombuds II to join an office headed by Melissa Brodrick that currently includes Adam Barak Kleinberger and Lisa Neale, and two consulting Ombuds, Tyler Smith and Howard Gadlin.

Prince George's County Public Schools Names Ombuds

Thea Wilson has been appointed the new Ombudsperson for the large school  district in Maryland. She will reopen an office that has been dormant for several years. In the full-time position, Wilson will serve as a neutral intermediary for PGCPS and the broader community, including more than 130,000 students and their families. As the Ombuds, she reports to the District Superintendent's Chief of Staff.

Research Request: Participants for Study on Leadership and Employee Accountability

Bina Patel, an Ombuds, conflict resolution consultant, and IOA Board Member, is recruiting participants for a research study on leadership behaviors and employee accountability. The project is being conducted by graduate researchers in the Industrial & Organizational Psychology program at George Mason University and examines how employees perceive their manager’s leadership behaviors and expectations related to job performance. 

Job Posting: South Dakota State University

The public university in Brookings has opened a search for its next Ombuds. The search will fill a position established in 2016 when Nicole Picconi became the university’s first Ombuds. The part-time (0.45 FTE) position is located within the Office of the President and serves all members of the campus community, including 12,000 students.

Maybe AI Chatbots Won't Replace Ombuds: Part 2

Evidence continues to emerge that indicates artificial intelligence is unlikely to replace Ombuds, at least in the short term: 

ABA Ombuds Committee Signals Pivot to State Legislative Strategy

Following the adoption of Resolution 503 by the American Bar Association House of Delegates endorsing the Organizational Ombuds Practices Act, the ABA’s Ombuds Committee is shifting its focus to state-level strategy. The committee will devote its meeting on March 24, 2026, to a discussion of next steps for advancing the Act through state legislatures, marking the beginning of the effort to translate the ABA endorsement into legislation.

Job Posting: Virginia Health Sciences

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is seeking a Senior Training Consultant/Associate Ombudsperson within its Human Resources Organizational Development and Training unit. The full-time role focuses primarily on leadership and workforce development training for faculty and staff while also serving as the Talent Management and Culture Associate Ombudsperson. (It is not clear whether the position reports to Linda R. Archer, the GME Ombudsperson for Virginia Health Sciences.)

NOMMO Sets Inaugural Meeting

The Network of Ombudsman and Mediators of Multilateral Organizations will hold its first meeting on February 9, 2026. Youssoupha Niang (Ombudsperson and Mediator at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency) will convene the meeting at 15:00 CEST | 9:00 EDT. The session, "Bridging the Gap: 2025 Lessons as 2026 Blueprints," is intended to be the first step in establishing the new group. Panelists are expected to include Shireen Dodson (UN Ombudsman), Nadine Chapman (Manager of the World Bank Group Mediation Services), and Nicholas Diehl (Head of Ombuds for the Inter-American Development Bank). (LinkedIn.) 

University of Waterloo Ombuds Releases Inaugural Annual Report

Whitney Barrett, the inaugural Ombuds at uWaterloo, has issued her first annual report, covering the office’s initial eight months of operation. The Office, which includes Associate Ombuds Sam Vandekerckhove, received 55 cases from January through August 2025 and reported an average of 8.28 connections per case, reflecting sustained engagement with visitors. The vast majority of visitors were students, consistent with the Office’s primary focus on supporting the student experience. The report also features four “stories from the threshold” illustrating the types of concerns brought forward. (Waterloo Ombuds 2025 Report.)

Podcast: Sana Manjeshwar on Global Ombuds Leadership

Sana Manjeshwar is the latest guest on a podcast by composer and pianist Leonardo Le San, "Modus Operandi." Manjeshwar talked about building and leading Ombuds programs for global organizations across six continents, drawing on her background in organizational psychology, employment litigation, human resources, coaching, mediation, and Ombuds practice. Manjeshwar is also a singer and the episode features one her first songs.

AORC and AOMA to Host Global Webinar on ADR Practices

The African Ombudsman Research Centre, in partnership with the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association, will host an international webinar, “Integrating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Effective Case Resolution in Ombudsman Institutions,” on March 3, 2026. These are strategies that Ombuds of all types use routinely in their work. 

Ombuds Author Examines Generational Conflict at Work

Merry Brown, the inaugural Ombuds at the University of Tennessee at Martin, has published a new book, Winning the Generation Wars at Work: Making (Your) Age an Asset, exploring how colleagues of different ages can collaborate more effectively. Drawing on her experience as a workplace mediator, Ombuds, and host of the podcast "Conflict Managed," Brown examines why generational tensions arise and argues that they are often rooted less in age than in assumptions, communication gaps, and unspoken expectations. 

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. 

Ombuds Launches New Podcast: Ombuddy

A new podcast, "Ombuddy," hosted by Brooke Wichmann, spotlights the people and pathways behind Organizational Ombuds work. The show features conversations with Ombuds about what drew them to the role, formative moments in their practice, and the ideas that sustain them. Blending professional reflection with a relaxed format, Ombuddy aims to bring greater visibility to the work often done quietly and behind the scenes. 

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.)

U.S. House Bill Would Create New Intelligence Ombuds at DHS

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill (H.R. 7435) that would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and an Intelligence Ombuds within the Department of Homeland Security. The proposal appears focused on intelligence-related transparency and oversight matters within DHS and has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Job Posting: University of California, San Francisco

The UCSF Office of the Ombuds is seeking an Associate Ombuds. The full-time position will report to Director and Ombuds, Ellen Goldstein, and join two Associate Ombuds, Kate Flynn and Paula Trejo-Phillips, and Ombuds Coordinator, Jonah Pedersen. The Associate Ombuds provides impartial, informal, independent, and confidential services to faculty, staff, trainees, students, and Medical Center employees. Regular onsite work is required, but a hybrid schedule is available. 

ABA Ombuds Committee Open Meeting for Early Career Ombuds

The Ombuds Committee of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section is hosting a three-part series on the life cycle of an Ombuds. The first session is "Emerging Ombuds: New & Early Career Reflections" and takes place on February 24, 2026, at 12:00pm EST. All three sessions are open and free to nonmembers. 

Call for Presenters: USOA 2026 Conference in Michigan

The United States Ombudsman Association is seeking plenary and breakout session speakers for its 45th annual conference. The event is set for September 2-4 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, Michigan. Speakers should be interested in sharing their knowledge and experience relevant to the Public Service Ombudsman profession and USOA membership is not required.

IOA Foundations Course Coming to San Francisco and Ottawa in May 2026

The International Ombuds Association will offer its signature, in-person training only twice this year. (There are nine opportunities to take Foundations virtually.) The three-day training is set for May 4-6 in San Francisco, California, and May 13-15 in Ottawa, Ontario. Registration is now open and registration is capped at 36 participants for each course.

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Names Next Ombuds

Karin Weißenborn has been appointed the next Ombudsperson at The Hannover Medical School in Germany. She follows Thomas Werfel, who served for 12 years in the role and who will now be the Deputy Ombuds. As the MHH Ombuds, Weissenborn promotes the fair resolution of conflicts of interest and helps clarify or prevent unfair work in scientific research at the university. She explained, "As Ombudsperson, I make every effort to resolve conflicts neutrally, objectively and in a solution-oriented manner, and I hope for the support of the respective parties to the conflict." 

Video: From Decision Scientist to Ombuds

In a video interview conducted at the Society for Medical Decision Making last year, Scott B. Cantor recounts his professional journey from full-time decision scientist to Ombuds. (Cantor has been an Ombuds with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2018.) In the interview, he describes how principles of decision science inform his current practice, including how he assesses options, supports difficult choices, and approaches conflict resolution.

Job Posting: Northeastern Illinois University

The public state university in North Park, Chicago is seeking its next Ombuds. The search will reopen a program that has been dormant since 2022, when the prior Ombuds, Tyler Smith, returned to the National Institutes of Health. The NEIU Ombuds is a full-time, IOA compliant position that reports to the University President and serves faculty, staff, and 8,000 students. 

University of Iowa Seeks Next Faculty Ombuds

The public research university in Iowa City has opened an internal search for its next Faculty Ombuds. (Meenakshi Gigi Durham has served in the role since 2021.) The part-time position will join an office that includes University Ombudsperson, Chanelle Reese, and Associate Ombuds, Corey P. Pass, . There is an on-going search for an Assistant Ombuds.

ABA House of Delegates Endorses Organizational Ombuds Practices Act

The American Bar Association House of Delegates has adopted Resolution 503, endorsing the Organizational Ombuds Practices Act and urging states to adopt it. The resolution reflects decades of ABA engagement with Organizational Ombuds work and marks a significant step toward clarifying and protecting standards of practice. The next phase will be state-level adoption and, ultimately, codification of the Act in statute. 

Dutch Union Examines Growth in University Ombuds

An article published this week by the Algemene Onderwijsbond, the Netherlands’ largest education-sector union, reviews the implementation of mandatory university Ombuds offices four years after their inclusion in the 2021 collective labor agreement. While every university is now required to provide staff access to an Ombuds, the article reports uneven implementation, including departures and dismissals of Ombuds at some institutions. Interviews with practitioners and union representatives highlight wide variation in mandate, scope, staffing levels, and institutional support, particularly regarding whether Ombuds are empowered to conduct independent investigations and influence structural change. 

Emeritus Ombuds on Distinguishing Program Structure From Embeddedness

In a recent post on his blog, Bruce MacAllister examines the growing confusion in Ombuds discourse around the term “embedded,” particularly when it is used interchangeably to describe both an Ombuds program’s structural placement and an Ombuds’ depth of organizational fluency. 

Job Posting: Union for Reform Judaism

URJ, the New York-based nonprofit representing over a third of adult American Jews is seeking its next Ombuds. The search will fill a position established by Caroline Cuneo in 2022. The remote, hourly contract role will provide services for community members across URJ worksites and programs, including 14 residential camps. The Ombuds will support individual conflict resolution, provide group facilitation when appropriate, and identify systemic concerns following IOA standards. The position is expected to average 15–20 hours per month and starts ASAP. 

University of Colorado Boulder Names Second Associate Ombuds

CU Boulder has hired Detric Robinson as Associate Ombuds. He joins an Ombuds office led by Director Kirsi Aulin and including Associate Ombuds Jason J. Sinocruz and two Faculty Ombuds. Robinson will provide services to students, staff, faculty, and administrators, and supports outreach efforts, focusing on undergraduate students.

World Health Organization Affirms Support for Ombuds Program

At its most recent meeting, the WHO's the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board the Ombudsperson's 2025 report. Executive Board members expressed support for the Ombuds function and the need to ensure adequate resources across all regions. In response to the noted vacancies in Ombuds positions at headquarters and in the Africa, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions, the committee promised to expedite

Job Posting: University of Virginia

Virginia’s flagship public university is seeking its next University Ombuds. The search will fill a position held by Amanda Monaco since 2022. The UVA Ombuds manages a program that serves nearly 40,000 faculty, staff, and students and supervises the UVA Health Ombuds, Henry Yampolsky, and a Program Coordinator. The position budgetarily reports to the AVP for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, but maintains strict independence in its casework and direct lines of communication with university leadership.

SAP Adds an Ombuds for India and Asia-Pacific

SAP has appointed Ranju Gupta as its first Ombudsperson for India and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, based in Bengaluru. The appointment expands the reach of the SAP Global Ombuds Office, which is headed by Carsten Pöschl and also includes Danillo Alves for SAP Americas and Agnes Eising for EMEA. 

Job Posting: University for Peace

The United Nations affiliated university in Costa Rica is seeking an Ombudsperson for a one-year contractual appointment, with the possibility of extension. The search will fill a position held by Laura Navarrete since 2022. The part-time role (about four hours per week) reports to the Rector. The position is is focused on enforcement of institutional policies and compliance with Costa Rican law, a significant change from the search that created the position. Several included duties are outside the scope of IOA standards, including: receiving and acting on complaints; advising disciplinary panels; and organizing investigations.

IOA Seeks Feedback on Revised SOPs and Code of Ethics

The International Ombuds Association Board of Directors has convened a task force to review professional Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as part of the Board's regular review cycle. The task force shared its proposals on January 28 and now solicits feedback from members for input on the meaning, interpretation, and practice alignment of the proposed revisions. Online feedback sessions and regional meetings are offered over the next several weeks. In general, the revisions aim to better reflect the complexities of modern workplaces and to better integrate the primary ethical standards.

Job Posting: SOS Children's Villages, Austria

The Vienna-based international development organization for children is seeking an Ombuds Framework Consultant to support its Global Ombuds Office during a six-month organizational transformation process. The consultant will review governance changes, analyze alignment with existing Ombuds procedures, and propose updates to guidance, toolkits, and frameworks. The role also includes advising on the scale-up process, supporting Regional Ombuds during transition phases, and assisting with participation of children and young people and related communications. The consultancy is expected to start on March 1, 2026.

Job Posting: University of Calgary

The large, public research university in Alberta is seeking its next Student Ombuds, which serves about 36,000 students. The full-time position is part of the Office of Student Experience & Support and reports operationally to the Senior Director, Student Affairs. Currently, Karen Quinn is serving in the role on an interim basis.