Another New Ombuds Podcast: Spoken in Confidence

Sana Manjeshwar, who served as the Ombuds at Chevron and AllianceBernstein and now consults as the principal of OmbudSana International, has launched her own podcast: "Spoken in Confidence." Manjeshwar plans a series of monthly interviews with leaders "who chose to handle conflict differently, sharing real-world scenarios, hard conversations, and practical tools. The target audience are executives, compliance leaders, managers, and employees. (YouTube.)

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.)

Podcast: Ombuds as Chief Vibe Officer

Sana Manjeshwar is the latest guest on Vibecast, a podcast by HR consultant, Kristi Skutvik. Manjeshwar explained how the Ombuds is distinct from HR, EAP, and therapy, and its value in surfacing concerns before they escalate. Majeshwar describes Ombuds as a “canary in the coal mine,” offering real-time cultural insight and a trusted space—often used by leaders themselves—while emphasizing that empathy, conflict awareness, and intentional leadership remain essential in ways AI cannot replicate. (YouTube.)

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.

Chevron's Ombuds Goes Independent

Sana Manjeshwar, Chevron's Global Principal Ombuds Manager, has left the company and formed her own Ombuds consulting firm. She was with Chevron's Ombuds program for a dozen years, with six years as the leader. Prior to that, Manjeshwar was the Ombuds for AllianceBernstein. She is a frequent speaker and advocate for Ombuds, and served on the IOA Board of Directors. (LinkedIn.)

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:

ABA Panel Aims to Inform Corporate Counsel About Ombuds

On May 14, 2025, the American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section will offer a webinar on "The Organizational Ombuds – Why Your Company Needs One and What Counsel Should Know." The panel will feature Sana Manjeshwar, Global leader of Chevron´s Office of Ombuds, Steven Prevaux, Faculty Staff Ombuds at the University of South Florida, Mark C. Fava, Vice President and Ombudsman for The Boeing Company, and Chuck Doran, Executive Director of MWI.

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:

Chevron Ombuds to Speak at International Ombud Expo 2024 in Botswana

Sana Manjeshwar, the Global Ombuds Manager for Chevron, will be a featured speaker at the International Ombud Expo 2024 this week in Botswana. She present virtually with Ombuds from other sectors on “Advancing the Role and Impact of the Organizational Ombuds in Africa.” Also, the International Ombuds Association has stepped up as a sponsor for the conference. (LinkedIn; International Ombud Expo.)

Chevron Selects a Regional Ombuds in London

Derrick Okonji has been hired as an Ombuds Manager in Chevron’s Global Office of Ombuds. Reporting to Sana Manjeshwar, Chevron's Global Principal Ombuds Manager, Okonji will serve employees in Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa from his office in London. 

JFF Interviews Chevron’s Ombuds

Jobs for the Future, a national nonprofit that drives change in the American workforce and education systems to achieve economic advancement for all, recently interviewed Chevron’s Principal Ombuds Manager, Sana Manjeshwar. In addition to exploring how Manjeshwar makes an impact on Chevron, the interview also traces her personal history and path to the Ombuds profession.

IOA Posts Agenda and Opens Registration for 2023 Conference

Organizational Ombuds will gather in Seattle for the International Ombuds Association 18th Annual Conference on April 3-5, 2023. This the first in-person conference since 2019. IOA cancelled the event in 2020 shortly after the outbreak of COVID and held virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022. The theme considers the role of Ombuds and also hints at the changes in Ombuds practice: "Ombuds as Change Agent? ReEngaging and Transforming Conflict." Registration is now open and now the detailed agenda is available.

Job Posting: Chevron, England

Chevron’s Global Office of Ombuds is hiring an Ombuds Manager based in London. The full-time position reports to the Global Principal Ombuds Manager, Sana Manjeshwar and provides Ombuds services to Chevron's employees in Europe, Eurasia, Africa, Middle East. Chevron’s Ombuds program practices to IOA standards. Expatriates will not be considered for the position and travel is expected (about 30-40% time).

IOA Releases Detailed Agenda for 2022 Virtual Conference

For the second year in a row, the International Ombudsman Association will hold its annual conference virtually. IOA's 17th annual meeting will take place April 4 through 6, 2022. Social events will use Gather.town, a virtual world with video features. Registration has been open for a few weeks and now the detailed agenda has been posted.

IOA Board Yields to Members' Concerns with Updated Bylaws Proposal

In response to members' concerns, the International Ombudsman Association's Board of Directors announced a new process to amend the IOA Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation. At a special meeting in June, an omnibus package of updates to the bylaws failed to come to a vote in the face of procedural objections from the floor. At follow-up townhalls, members also took issue with the Board's omnibus proposal for changes to multiple bylaws. Since then, the IOA has held multiple meetings to understand the concerns and fashion a response. An email from the entire IOA Board late last week outlined a process to provide more discussion of the changes in advance of another special meeting and then  allow separate votes on individual proposals.

IOA Webinar on Demonstrating Value

The International Ombudsman Association has been offering monthly skills programs for practicing Ombuds. This month, the webinar focuses on how Ombuds can demonstrate value to their organization. As usual, the session is free for IOA members. 

Here's the full description:

IOA Posts Details of 2021 Virtual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has announced the agenda for its 16th annual conference. "Bridging the Distance: Paving the Way for Equity and Justice" (#IOA2021). The conference will offer a fully virtual program over three days, March 22-24, 2021. Registration is now open and a discount is available until the early bird deadline on February 22, 2021.

Election for 2021 IOA Board: 5 Nominees for 6 Seats

The International Ombudsman Association has opened the voting process for its 2021 Board of Directors. The election is a bit of a surprise this year because there are fewer candidates than open director seats. The Board said that it is reconsidering the eligibility criteria, which may be discouraging people from becoming directors. An email about the election included this announcement:

IOA Seeks Nominations for 2021 Board of Directors

The International Ombudsman Association is seeking nominations for Directors who will serve a three-year term starting at the end of March 2021. Six directors have terms that expire: Steve Prevaux, CO-OP (Board VP); Roy Baroff, CO-OP; Suzanne Diviney, CO-OP; Jessica Kuchta-Miller, CO-OP; Sana Manjeshwar, CO-OP; and Mauricio (Reese) Ramos, CO-OP.

Asia Society’s 2020 Symposium to Feature UN and Chevron Ombuds

The Asia Society’s 2020 Global Talent, Diversity and Inclusion Virtual Symposium includes two prominent Ombuds as speakers: Shireen Dodson, United Nations Ombudsman, and Sana Manjeshwar, Global Principal Ombuds Manager, Chevron Corp. The two-day event next week