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 2026 Trailblazer Award: Mary Rowe

At the conclusion of its annual conference today, the International Ombuds Association presented its Trailblazer Award to Mary Rowe. The IOA Board of Directors created the award in 2022 "for individuals who have devoted significant contributions to the organizational ombuds field over an extended period of time." Rowe was recognize for her work as a pioneer and one of the most influential Ombuds in the profession. Although she retired as an Ombuds in 2014, she continues to be active as a thought leader and the award was presented during her plenary remarks. (IOA Trailblazer.)

International Ombuds Association Seeks New Editor for JIOA

IOA is seeking a new Editor for the Journal of the International Ombuds Association, the profession’s peer-reviewed journal dedicated to scholarship and practice related to Organizational Ombuds. The call follows the decision by Shannon Lynn Burton, the University Ombudsperson at Michigan State University, to step down after a decade leading the publication. The IOA Board is inviting letters of interest from members interested in overseeing the journal’s continued development and supporting research and writing about the field. 

JIOA Call for Papers: Models for Ombuds Programs

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association is seeking articles for a special issue, "Organizational Ombuds Models: Structures, Strategies, and Implications for Practice." The issue will feature original research articles, case studies, theoretical perspectives, and practice-based insights from scholars and practitioners examining Ombuds program models across industries.

IOA Announces Agenda for 2026 Virtual Conference

The International Ombuds Association has posted details for its next annual conference. The online only event is set for April 13-15, 2026. The conference will be highlighted by keynote addresses by Paul Sotoudeh and M. Gerard (Jerry) Fromm. The conference starts each day at 8:00am Pacific. 

Here is the tentative conference agenda: 

Guest Post: Reese Ramos on the Impact of AI

In this special post, Reese Ramos, the University Ombuds & Director at Virginia Tech, offers his perspective on the growing impact of AI on Ombuds work. I deeply appreciate and respect his insights on the Ombuds profession.

Here is his full essay:

IOA Announces 2025 September Symposium Speakers

The International Ombuds Association has announced the speaker lineup for its 2025 September Symposium, "Advocating for Your Office and the Ombuds Role." The virtual event will take place on September 30, 2025, from 11:00am to 7:00pm Eastern time.

Here are the scheduled speakers:

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.)

Journal of IOA: The Ombuds' Four Interdependent Standards

Two emeriti Ombuds, Mary Rowe and Bruce MacAllister, have collaborated on the latest article for the latest issue of the Journal of the International Ombuds Association. They explain why each of the four ethical standards are necessary and interdependent on the other standards for Organizational Ombuds. The full article, "The Unique—and Effective—Quartet of Standards of Practice of Organizational Ombuds: Each Standard is Necessary—and Requires the Other Three Standards," is now available online.

Journal of IOA: An Ombuds Story About Harassment and Bully from Mary Rowe

In the latest issue of the Journal of the International Ombuds Association, Mary Rowe, shares a tale from her time as the Ombuds at MIT. The full article, "An Unusual Harassment Training that was Warmly Received—and, as well, Inspired Bystanders—an Organizational Ombuds," is now available online. 

IOA Publishes Long-Awaited Ombuds Book

The International Ombuds Association has published its first book: The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & The Future. Written by practicing Ombuds, the book offers a thorough and current overview of the profession. Edited by Shannon L. Burton (Ombuds at Michigan State University) and Loraleigh Keashly (Professor of Communication at Wayne State University), the book is a comprehensive compilation of the interdisciplinary and nuanced history, theory and practices found within the field.

JIOA Writing Club Aims to Foster Ombuds Authors

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association has launched a program to support aspiring Ombuds writers. The Ombuds Conflict to Composition Writing Club will begin in April 2025 and is now accepting applications. The club create a collaborative and supportive virtual environment where participants can develop their writing skills through mentoring and guidance on the publishing process. Applications are due by March 28, 2025.

Job Re-Posting: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The private research university in Cambridge has reposted its search Ombudsperson across multiple job sites. The search will fill a position recently vacated by Nick Diehl. The position works as a team with the other MIT Ombuds, Judi Segall. Reporting to the President, the two MIT Ombuds serve as a resource for all members of the diverse MIT community, including faculty, staff, postdocs, and students — a total population of nearly 35,000.  

(Guest Post) Navigating the Ripple Effects of a New Presidential Administration with the Crystal Ball

In this special post, Reese Ramos, the University Ombuds & Director at Virginia Tech, offers thoughts on how Ombuds should anticipate the ripple effects from a new Trump administration, including shifts in workplace policies, DEIB rollbacks, funding changes, and increased stress among visitors. He believes these challenges will impact the Ombuds profession itself, with potential office closures, compassion fatigue, and greater demand for conflict resolution services. Here is his full essay.

Job Posting: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The private research university in Cambridge has opened a search for an Ombudsperson. The search will fill a position held by Nick Diehl since 2017. The position works as a team with the other MIT Ombuds, Judi Segall. Reporting to the President, the two MIT Ombuds serve as a resource for all members of the diverse MIT community, including faculty, staff, postdocs, and students — a total population of nearly 35,000.  

Journal of IOA, Mary Rowe Special Issue: The Sources of Ombuds' Power

Mary Rowe herself has contributed an article to the Journal of the International Ombuds Association's special issue her work. The article considers the many sources of power that an Ombuds wields within their organization. She explains, "Thinking about all the sources of power may also be useful to ombuds for themselves. It can help OOs in self-evaluations."

Working Papers from 2024 IOA Practice Survey Illustrate Ombuds Work

The research team behind the International Ombuds Association's biennial practice survey (Jennifer Schneider, Timothy Hedeen, Mary Rowe, and Hector Escalante Meza) has written a series of papers that provide further insights on the work of Organizational Ombuds. Four working look at some self-reported IOA qualitative data from practitioners. Three additional papers by Mary Rowe individually are about visitor stories. All are open for comment:

IOA Posts Agenda for 2025 Annual Conference in Florida

The International Ombuds Association has opened registration for its 20th annual conference. The event is set for April 7-9, 2025 in Miami, Florida at the Hilton Miami Downtown. The conference is preceded by three days of training session. Registration is now open and IO has published the tentative conference agenda:

IOA Publishes Summary of 2024 Practice Survey

The International Ombuds Association has completed its biennial survey of Organizational Ombuds about the qualitative aspects of their work. Respondents around the world provided data for the 2023 calendar year. The research team of Jennifer Schneider, Timothy Hedeen, Mary Rowe, and Hector Escalante Meza compiled a top ten list of interesting findings from the study:

Swarthmore Magazine Profiles Alumna Mary Rowe

The latest issue of the Swarthmore College magazine, The Bulletin, has a nice article about Mary Rowe, who graduated 1957. (Somewhat ironically, the College does not have a professional Ombuds, only a student group founded last fall.) Here's the pull quote: “Being an organizational ombuds is a lifetime of trying to figure out how to increase the fairness and equity and belonging of the people around you.” (The Bulletin; Swathmore Ombuds.)