The International Ombuds Association has released the agenda for its 2026 September Symposium, "Reframing Power and Influence: Exploring Intentional Ombuds Sway and the Tension Around Influence." The event for intermediate and advanced Ombuds practitioners will take place on September 30 and October 1, 2026, at the Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Here is the full schedule:
Wednesday, 30 September | Day One
Understanding Power and Influence in the Ombuds Role
Welcome
- Jenn Mahony, President, International Ombuds Association
- Representatives from the American Red Cross Association
Practice Edge
- We will begin the Symposium exploring the tensions that come up when practicing to Standards/SOPs, responding to what organizations really want, and embracing the true dichotomy of our dual mandates: supporting visitors and understanding the organization as a visitor. The intent of this plenary remains the same: to "push the envelope” in a way that challenges us to openly discuss difficult practice issues in a critically supportive manner.
- Facilitator: Victor Voloshin, NIH Ombudsman and Director of the Center for Collaborative Resolution, National Institutes of Health.
How Do You See Your Identity?
- Working with professional coaches, we will do a deep dive into how we see ourselves, how we identify with our work as ombuds, and uncover traits or barriers that may unintentionally impact our work as influencers.
- Speaker: Dr. Rachel Fichter, Founder, VISIA Leadership
Small Group Reflection and Discussion
- Throughout the symposium, we will create space for small group discussions and informal sharing.
Lunch and Optional American Red Cross Historian Tour
Psychology of Tension
- Harnessing the power of tensions as an opportunity for constructive change can broaden ombuds practice. At this session, you will learn how multilayered tensions may arise within organizational systems, and understanding tensions can enhance your ombuds practice with a neutral and fair stance while uncovering potential opportunities for your visitors, constituents, and the organization you are serving.
- Speaker: Dr. Lisa Yamagata- Lynch, Certified Organizational Ombuds, University Ombudsperson and Director, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The Gentle Art of Influence
- Lobbyists educate with a specific goal in mind: they understand their audience and apply messaging in a way that will resonate. At this session, you will hear from two DC lobbyists and also hear about the art of gentle influence and persuasion.
- Speakers: Erynn Hook, Senior Associate, Innovative Federal Strategies
- Ken Goldsmith, Senior Legislative Counsel/Director for State Legislation, American Bar Association
- Moderator: Ellen Miller, Executive Director of IOA
Small Group Reflection and Discussion
Thursday, 1 October | Day Two
Tools to Help Exercise Your Power
Media Coaching for Ombuds
- Media training teaches the powerful technique of how to answer questions not responsively but with the information you want to convey. At this session, you will learn the art of the pivot and pause, and how media training can help you effectively work with organizational leadership.
- Speaker: Don Meyer, Founder and President, Westfourth Communications
Improv for Ombuds
- Building on the tools shared in the morning sessions, we will learn and practice improv techniques that will also help us use our influence.
- Speaker: Topher Bellavia, Only Connect Coaching
Lunch
Being More Flexible in the Moment
- We speak Ombuds. But we work with many different types of stakeholders who do not speak our language. How do we come from a place of yes, while still practicing ethically and aligned with SOPs. During this hour, we will work on our responses to complex issues that typically come our way.
- Speakers: Adam Learman, Corporate Ombuds, Pfizer; Kimberly Jackson Davidson, University Ombudsperson, George Mason University; Lily Xu, Certified Organizational Ombuds, Corporate Ombuds, RTX; Mike Santos, Deputy Corporate Ombuds, Con Edison; Mollie Berg, Certified Organizational Ombuds, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; Ronnie Thomson, Corporate Ombuds, Sandia National Laboratories
- Moderator: Carolyn Esposito, Certified Organizational Ombuds, Corporate Ombuds, AB
Small Group Reflection and Discussion
Broadening Visitor-Centric Perspective
- Our roles are complex, and providing support to all who need our skills can be challenging. While just focusing on visitor work is a luxury, it is also a vulnerability in today’s climate. What does it look like to broaden your visitor-centric experience beyond the stakeholder in the room? How do we bring organizational awareness into all that we do? This session will explore the how and the why and remind us of our comprehensive impact.
- Speakers: Scott Deyo, CO-OP®, Organizational Ombuds, University of North Carolina Charlotte; Jenn Mahony, Ombuds and Office Director, Boston Children's Hospital; Dr. Jacqueline Villafane, CO-OP® CEO, Infinidad Consulting LLC
Debrief, Next Steps, and Closing
- Amanda Dean, Ombudsman for Staff and Faculty at Austin Community College; Lisa Yamagata-Lynch, Certified Organizational Ombuds
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