2024 Year in Review: Five Big Stories

This post explores a few stories from the past year that offer insights for the future of the Ombuds profession. From the expansion of Ombuds in Canada’s federal sector to evolving debates about the merits of embedded versus outsourced Ombuds, the field continues to adapt to shifting organizational and societal landscapes. One regulatory change — the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition of Ombuds as a confidential resource — highlighted growing institutional support for the role. Meanwhile, the surge of global student protests and the implications of a new U.S. presidential administration have tested the resilience and adaptability of Ombuds professionals.

International Civil Aviation Organization Selects Ombuds

Rasmus André has been appointed the next Ombuds for ICAO, the UN agency that coordinates and develops international air navigation. He reports directly to the ICAO Secretary General in Montreal and provides services to personnel, supervisors, and administrators with employment and workplace issues. Andre is expected to serve an initial two-year term. 

Call for Presenters: Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution 2025 Symposium

CIDR at Saint Paul University in Ottawa seeks presenters for its annual symposium set for May 6-7, 2025. This year, the theme is, "Building Better Workplaces: Toward Comprehensive Conflict Resolution Systems." The international and online event will bring together practitioners and researchers in conflict resolution. The organizers are professors at USP: Brent Epperson and Jean-François Rioux.

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."

Job Posting: University of Washington

The Office of the Ombud at UW has opened a search for a new Associate Ombud for the School of Medicine. (The office consistently uses "Ombud" rather than "Ombuds.") The position will join an office with University Ombud, Chuck Sloan, and Associate Ombud, Ashley Davis, with a secondary reporting line to the School of Medicine Dean. The full-time position will work with faculty, staff, and students, and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Appoints Ombuds

Last month, Manda Noble-Green was named the inaugural Ombuds for IRCC, the federal department that administers immigration, refugees, and citizenship. IRRC had an internal Ombuds program from 2000 to 2005, when legislation converted it into an Informal Conflict Management System. Last year, IRRC conducted a study that recommended restoration of an Ombuds program to address systemic issues not mitigated by the ICMS. 

Utah Valley University Names First Faculty Ombuds

Natalie C. Grecu has been appointed the first Faculty Ombuds for the public university in Orem. Administratively, Grecu is within UVU's Office of Academic Affairs and she will serve nearly 3,000 faculty members. She supplements the work of Emily M. Taylor, UVU's Assistant Director of Conflict Resolution and University Ombudsman. Who has been providing services to faculty, staff, and students.

2024 Year in Review: Transitions

Every year, the Ombuds Blog attempts to recap the most important events from the profession. Traditionally, this begins with a survey of the people who retired and passed away, a recap of new and closed programs, and a summary of job postings. 

More qualitative posts will follow before the end of the year.

IOA Opens Nominations for 2025 Distinguished Emeriti Ombuds

The International Ombuds Association is asking its members to submit names for its annual Distinguished Emeritus Award. Each year, the IOA Board of Directors recognizes a small number of retired Ombuds for their outstanding and dedicated service to the association and to the Ombuds profession more broadly. The award was not given in 2024.

Briefing Materials Shed Light on Health Canada's Ombuds Program

The federal agency that oversees Canada's national health policy has released the briefing package for its new Deputy Minister. (Greg Orencsak who was appointed in August 2024.) The binder presents an overview of Health Canada organization and work, including its Center for Ombuds and Resolution. COR's Ombuds and Executive Director is Sylvie Richard, and her Associate Ombuds are Sarah Curry and Thierry Casademont. The summary explains COR's key functions, legislative and regulatory context, and budget. 

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:

Virginia Tech Adds First Associate Ombuds

Geoffrey Adelsberg will join the University Ombuds Office at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in January 2025. He will work with Director & University Ombuds, Reese Ramos, as the first Associate Ombuds and provide services to all campus stakeholders.

Article Examines Work of Ombuds at University of Bologna

A paper published in the most recent edition of the Utrech Law Review examines dispute resolution processes at Università di Bologna, the world's oldest public research university. The article is "Innovative Approaches to Dispute Resolution in Academia: Insights from the University of Bologna" considers the work of the university's Student Ombudsman (currently Giuseppe Colonna, former magistrate, and President of the Court of Appeal of Bologna). The authors, Carolina Mancuso and Angela M. Felicetti, are both on the faculty at the university. 

Job Posting: Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior's Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution is hiring an Organizational Ombuds in Arlington, Virginia. Unlike the posting last week, this is a term position for up to four years, with potential annual renewals. The position will join a team of Organizational Ombuds, including Sigal Shoham and Mary Chavez Rudolph. The position is eligible for telework and travel of up to 25% may be required. The posting also may be used to fill other similar positions.

National Institutes of Health Adds an Associate Ombuds

Michelle Arbid has been hired as an Associate Ombuds in the NIH Ombuds Office. She becomes a seventh person in the office lead by Victor Voloshin, which also includes Fernando Caetano, Elisa Enriquez, CO-OP, Toni Hawkins, and Tyler Smith.

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:

San Diego State University's Ombuds Retires

Darrell Hess, who has served as the Student Ombudsperson at California State University in San Diego since early 2019, retired this fall. Karla Ramirez, who has been the Assistant Student Ombuds since 2021, is continuing to provide services to the campus. (SDSU Ombuds.)

Job Posting: United Nations, New York

The Office of the UN Ombudsman and Mediation Services (UNOMS) is seeking a Senior Mediator. The full-time position will lead the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of the mediation program in consultation and collaboration with the UNOMS Regional Ombuds. The position also provides training for UNOMS staff and helps with identifying trends and patterns in the workplace branches.

Meet the First Ombuds for Sutter Health

Earlier this year, the not-for-profit health system in Northern California contracted with MWI for Ombuds services. Ralph Johnson, Maureen Brodie, CO-OP, and Ellen Reardon, CO-OP, provide services to physicians and advanced practice clinicians at all eight of Sutter's medical groups. As with all of its contracts, MWI's Ombuds practice to IOA standards. (Sutter Health Ombuds.) 

GAUS Appoints First Group of Ombuds

The German collaborative research center that studies "Geometry and Arithmetic of Uniformized Structures" has named three inaugural Ombudspersons: Annette Werner; Marius Leonhardt; and Timo Richarz. Together, they assist over 120 prinicipal investigators, researchers, and fellows with concerns including misconduct, harassment, and interpersonal conflict.