The Ombuds Blog: Boston University Selects an Experienced Associate Ombuds

August 13, 2026

Boston University Selects an Experienced Associate Ombuds

Samantha Levine-Finley has been appointed the new Associate Ombuds at BU, joining University Ombuds Francine Montemurro and Associate Ombuds Lailul Ikram.

Levine-Finley returns to the Ombuds profession after nearly a decade working in leadership development, organizational learning, coaching, and facilitation for the former US Agency for International Development and the US Coast Guard. From 2013 to 2016, she was Deputy Ombudsman at the American Red Cross, following five years as Associate Ombudsman at the National Institutes of Health. Earlier in her career, she was a journalist. Levine-Finley graduated from the College of William & Mary and earned a Master’s in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. (LinkedIn.)

1 comment:

Anonymous8/13/2026 4:49 PM
So good to see it! I'm glad folks can move in and out of ombudsing like that.
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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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