Job Posting: Charles University

Univerzita Karlova, the large and historic university in Prague, is seeking its next University Ombuds. The search will fill a position held by the inaugural Ombuds, Kateřina Šámalová, who is completing a three-year term (and who has been a leader in promoting the role of Ombuds in Eastern Europe). The half-time position serves students, employees, and others connected to the university, and coordinates the work of nearly two dozen Ombuds embedded with faculties and other campus units. The appointment is expected to begin in October 2026 following consultation with the faculty's Academic Senate. 

Job Posting: tEQuitable

The Oakland-based startup that provides external Ombuds services through a technology-enabled platform, is hiring a part-time contract Organizational Ombuds. The fully remote position will provide assistance to employees of client organizations, offering conflict coaching and consultation while identifying systemic workplace issues and trends. Off-hours work is permitted. 

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Names Next Ombuds

Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada has appointed Jessica Norup as its new Workplace Wellness Ombuds. She succeeds Elianne Hall and joins Associate Ombuds Mireille Aubrey in the office, which provides services to employees of the federal agency that regulates agriculture in Canada. 

2026 International Ombudsman Seminar to Include Two Organizational Ombuds

Hans Kohler and Mary Rowe are among the speakers for Seminário Internacional de Ouvidorias - 2026 taking place next week. The online event is aimed at Classical Ombuds and features 14 senior public servants, Ombuds, and auditors from Brazilian federal and local ministries. Kohler, a Regional Ombuds with the International Organization for Migration in Kenya and Associate Editor of the Journal of IOA, and Rowe, the former inaugural Ombuds for MIT, will join a panel on the topic of "Effective Ombudsman Offices: Challenges and Pathways to Strengthen Structure, Processes, and Culture." 

IOA Seeks Feedback on Final Draft of Standards of Practice

The International Ombuds Association has released the final draft of its revised Standards of Practice and a new accompanying Compendium for member review and comment by July 16, 2026. The revisions conclude a clarification review that began in 2025 and included recommendations from a Board-appointed task force, guided review sessions, and extensive member feedback. According to the IOA, the new Compendium is intended to provide additional guidance on interpreting and applying the Standards (meanwhile, while the review of the Code of Ethics has been paused until the Standards are finalized). This is likely to be the final opportunity for members to comment before the revised Standards are presented to the Board for adoption.

IOA and ABA Form Joint Taskforce for Ombuds Model Act

The International Ombuds Association and the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution's Ombuds Committee have created a joint taskforce to coordinate future work on the proposed Organizational Ombuds Practices Act. The model legislation is intended to serve as a template that individual states may adopt, establishing a statutory framework for Ombuds offices and, if enacted by state legislatures, providing legal protections consistent with the IOA's Standards of Practice. The new taskforce will develop recommendations regarding next steps for advancing the proposal. 

Internship: Pan American Health Organization

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Pan American Health Organization is accepting applications for a part-time internship based in Washington, DC. The intern will assist the PAHO Ombuds, Fernando Navarro Sánchez, with communications, research, training materials, surveys, and other office projects. The position is intended for students interested in multilateral organizations, organizational culture, learning design, and workplace well-being.

New Service Offers Data Analytics Support for University Ombuds

Isabel Brooke has launched Insight Ombuds Analytics, a niche service that provides data management and reporting support for university Ombuds offices. The venture offers assistance with case tracking, data analysis, and annual reporting, with the goal of reducing administrative burdens and allowing Ombuds to devote more time to assisting visitors. 

Job Posting: Harvard University

The private research university in Cambridge is hiring an Ombuds I to join an office headed by Melissa Brodrick that currently includes Adam Barak Kleinberger, and three consulting Ombuds. The full-time, hybrid eligible position is based in Cambridge.

University of California Ombuds Update Systemwide Statement of Best Practices

The University of California Ombuds Offices have released a revised Declaration of Best Practices, replacing the prior version adopted in 2017. The updated guidance applies to Ombuds Offices at all UC campuses and the UC Office of the President. While reaffirming the core principles of independence, confidentiality, impartiality, and informality, the revision adds extensive guidance on Ombuds office structure, reporting relationships, staffing, selection of Ombuds, and conflicts of interest. The document also updates terminology to align with current IOA standards, replacing references to “neutrality” with “impartiality” and reflecting the association's current name. 

Berkeley Ombuds to Retire

Marcia Gee Riley, who has served as Student Ombuds for the University of California, Berkeley since August 2008, retires this month. Current Assistant Ombuds, Zackary Hull, will step up as Interim Student Ombuds while the campus makes plans for a search. 

ENOHE Elects 2026 Board

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education has announced its new leadership elected during its its 21st annual conference at AGH University of Kraków this week. 

The new officers and board members are:

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. 

IOA Announces First Cohort of Certified Programs

The International Ombuds Association has announced that five Ombuds offices have been certified under its new Program Certification initiative. According to IOA, the offices completed a rigorous review and evaluation process demonstrating alignment with IOA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, organizational integrity, and professional competency.

The newly certified offices are:

University of California San Diego Hires an Associate Ombuds

Anthony Keen-Louie has been selected as the Associate Ombuds at UCSD, the large public research university in La Jolla. He joins Interim Campus Ombuds Nicholas Raichart and Ombuds Sue Presley.

University of North Carolina Announces Interim Ombuds

Josh Canzona, UNC's Associate University Ombuds, will become the Interim University Ombuds upon the departure of Dawn Osborne-Adams in July. Canzona joined the Ombuds Office at Carolina in 2020 after serving as the inaugural Ombuds at the UNC School of the Arts for three years. UNC is expected to open a search for a permanent University Ombuds in the coming months. 

IOA Announces New Journal Editors

Laura Armstrong and Brent Epperson have been appointed the new editors of the Journal of the International Ombuds Association, the profession’s peer-reviewed journal. They take over from Shannon Lynn Burton, who led the publication for a decade.

Yale University Names First Ombuds

Dawn Osborne-Adams was named the inaugural University Ombuds for Yale according to an announcement from the University President today. Osborne-Adams will set up a program to serve more than 45,000 faculty, staff, and graduate and professional school students across the university and report directly to the President. She will start on September 1, 2026.

American University Selects Inaugural Ombuds

Alison Chrisler has been named the first Faculty Ombudsperson for the private, federally-chartered, research university in Washington, D.C. She will serve all of American's full-time faculty (about 850) and report jointly to the Provost and to the Faculty Senate Chair. She takes on the role and continues as the Director of Undergraduate Programs in AU's Department of Health Studies. 

American Economic Association Publishes Ombuds Annual Report

The professional association of economists has published its 2025 “Ombuds Summary of Activity” in the May 2026 issue of AEA Papers and Proceedings, marking what appears to be the first time an Ombuds annual report has appeared in an established professional journal. The report summarizes the work of the AEA Ombuds program, which was relaunched as an Organizational Ombuds in 2024. 

Job Posting: Central State University

The public land-grant university in Wilberforce, Ohio (the state's only HBCU), is has opened a search for its next Director of the Office of Student Ombuds. Reporting to the President's Chief of Staff, the Ombuds will serve about 5,500 enrolled students. The search will fill a position held by Marc DeWitt until his passing earlier this year. 

Update: Cal Poly Pomona Faculty Call for Reinstatement of Ombuds Office

The Academic Senate at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona unanimously approved a resolution calling for the immediate reestablishment of the Office of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds and an expedited search to fill the Ombudsperson position. The action follows the termination of Ombuds Mark Patterson and the abrupt closure of the office in February.

ASAE Article Promotes Ombuds for Associations

IOA Executive Director Ellen Miller authored an article for the American Society of Association Executives highlighting the value of Ombuds for associations. In the piece, Miller explains that Ombuds can help associations address volunteer conflict, member disengagement, governance tensions, and workplace culture challenges. She describes Ombuds as helping organizations “mitigate risk, strengthen trust, and foster respectful, supportive environments.” The article appeared in ASAE’s Associations Now Plus, extending visibility for Ombuds to ASAE’s broad network of association executives and industry partners. 

University of Kansas Seeks Interim Ombuds Following Retirement Announcement

The public university in Lawrence has opened an internal search for an interim University Ombuds following the announced retirement of Ada Emmett on June 30. The six-month, part-time appointment will provide continuity for the campus Ombuds Office as KU continues implementation of a university-wide administrative restructuring initiative. According to Emmett, the review of the Ombuds Office includes consideration of expanded services for staff at the KU medical center. In addition, she says that restructuring may elevate the reporting line from the Provost to the University Chancellor in line with a new administrative model. 

Union for Reform Judaism Names Ombuds

URJ, the New York-based nonprofit, has appointed Marlo Goldstein Hode as its next Ombuds. She follows Caroline Cuneo, who established the role in 2022. URJ's Ombuds provides services for concerns arising within its workplaces, camps, youth programs, and other community settings.

Virginia Health Sciences Adds Two Associate Ombuds

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University has added two Associate Ombuds to its Ombuds Services Office: Marilyn Caymo and Dawn James Valentine. They report to Ombudsperson, Diane Holland, and provide services for faculty, staff, and trainees across the health sciences enterprise. (TMC Ombuds.)

Save the Date for 2027 International Ombud Expo

Organizers have announced that the International Ombud Expo will take place in Willemstad, Curaçao, on May 24-28, 2027, with the theme of "Just Society for All: Celebrating Facilitators and Promoters in a Challenging World." The event follows the second International Ombud Expo, held in Gaborone, Botswana in 2024, which included several Organizational Ombuds (Sana Manjeshwar, Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa, Sarah Klaper, and Youssoupha Niang, and IOA Executive Director, Ellen Miller). According to the organizers, the Expo is intended as a global platform for sharing ideas, publications, technology, and governance practices among Ombuds of all types and related institutions. Additional details will be posted when available. (International Ombud Expo.)

Job Posting: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

UTC is hiring its next University Ombuds, filling a position held by Anovia Slaughter since 2024. The office serves faculty and staff, and the role includes casework, outreach, and training responsibilities. The full-time position has a dual reporting structure: the Ombuds reports to the Office of the Chancellor through the Chief of Staff; and a secondary reporting relationship to the campus Human Resources Officer for education and training services. 

Call for Proposals: Cal Caucus 2026

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds is seeking speaker proposals for its annual in-person meeting. The unique and intimate caucus is set for November 8-11, 2026, at the rustic and historic Asilomar Conference Grounds. This year's theme is, "The Grove & the Understory." The deadline for proposals is May 11, 202.

Boston University Adds an Associate Ombuds

Lailul Ikram was hired by the Ombuds Office at BU in July 2025, joining University Ombuds, Francine Montemurro, and Senior Associate Ombuds, Erin Wright.

Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the U.S. central bank is hiring an Assistant Ombuds in Washington, DC. This Executive Ombuds position: acts as facilitator for the fair and timely resolution of complaints related to the System’s regulatory activities; receives, reviews, and decides claims of retaliatory conduct by System staff; and reports to Board members and senior Board staff on issues that may have a significant impact on the System’s mission, activities, or reputation, including patterns of issues that occur in multiple complaints. In addition, there are collateral administrative duties. This is a hybrid position, with on-site cadence of about six times per month.

Marc DeWitt: Ombuds at Central State University

Central State University announced that Marc DeWitt, its Student Ombudsman and Director of the Office of the Student Ombudsman, passed unexpectedly last week. A longtime member of the campus community and alumnus, DeWitt had worked in higher education for more than two decades, including roles at Wright State University, Wilberforce University, and Sinclair Community College, before being appointed CSU Ombuds in November 2025.

Update: Details Emerge About Closure of Cal Poly Pomona Ombuds Office

New reporting by the student newspaper at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona provides additional detail about the termination of Mark Patterson and the closure of the Office of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds, which the university had not previously disclosed. Patterson, who had been appointed in 2025 as the inaugural Director of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds, said he was terminated in February during a meeting with senior administrators and was not given a reason for his dismissal as an at-will employee. 

Toni Robinson: Former MIT Ombuds

Toni Robinson, a longtime Ombuds at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, died on April 18, 2026, at age 73. She served as Ombudsperson in the Office of the President for two decades before her retirement in 2017. Robinson was widely recognized for her impact across the Institute and received MIT’s Collier Medal in 2015, honoring her efforts to build trust and resolve concerns across a diverse campus community.

Job Posting: University of Toronto Scarborough

The large, research university in Ontario is hiring an Assistant Secretary of the Governing Council & Ombuds Officer, a position held by Miranda Edwards for the past year. The job has two roles and a dual reporting structure. The Assistant Secretary provides administrative support, advice, and information to the Governing Council on policies, precedents, and procedures for assigned boards and committees. In addition, the Ombuds position reports to the University Ombudsperson, Bruce Kidd, and serves as a primary contact for faculty, staff and students seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombudsperson.

Podcast: Insights from a Longtime Ombuds

Reece Ramos, the University Ombuds at Virginia Tech and founder of the Ombuds Academy is the guest this week on "Conflict Managed," a podcast hosted by Merry Brown. Ramos has been an Ombuds for 25 years and is a past president of IOA. In this podcast, he shares insights from his years of work as an Ombuds.