Session 5A | Data Storytelling: Inspiring Change in the Organization and the Ombuds Profession

In this presentation, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Office of the Ombudsperson will describe their journey in shifting their data-sharing approach to one that focuses on data storytelling. It will demonstrate the innovativeness of interactive data modeling and its effectiveness toward lending legitimacy to the Ombuds office and recommendations to management. The presentation will also touch on the Ombuds team’s reflections and vision for a way forward by making data more relevant and engaging.

In this session:

• Be motivated to explore ideas on how to present data in a more innovative, creative, and meaningful manner.
• Be introduced to the concept of “data storytelling” – a way of combining data (and other information), its visualization, and informed narratives.
• Appreciate how important it is to use data to get key stakeholders and leadership to comprehend the negative impacts people may be experiencing from situations or issues as well as the nature and degree of change that may be required to address these concerns.
• Recognize the value of how data can support and legitimize the ombuds office and its recommendations to management.
• To see how the utilization of data by the ombuds has the potential to create profound transformational changes in an organization.

Wayne Blair is the Ombudsperson of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He brings with him a broad spectrum of experience and skills in conflict resolution, negotiation, and mediation. Consistent with the guiding principles of the ADB Office of the Ombudsperson, Wayne strives to continuously innovate to provide meaningful ombuds services to members of the ADB community. He nurtures analytical and creative thinking to encourage transformational change in the organization’s culture. Prior to ADB, Wayne worked in the role of Ombuds in higher education in the United States. He is certified by the New York State Bar as a Mediator. He is originally from Jamaica.

Angelica Alejandro is the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Senior Ombuds Programs Officer. She joined the Office of the Ombudsperson in 2014 and has been with ADB since 1999. She is a certified coach and has been keenly practicing coaching techniques when speaking with visitors. To complement her coaching skills, she completed the Foundations Course of the International Ombuds Association, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Certification Program, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Mediation Training Program. Gigi holds a master's degree in business administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Philippines. 

Arlene Pantua is Associate Ombuds Programs Analyst at the Asian Development Bank. With an extensive career in the administrative profession, she is beginning to find her niche in the organizational ombuds profession through specialized data management, analysis, and communication. Arlene is a certified professional coach and a registered social worker in the Philippines.

Target Audience: Emerging Ombuds, Established Ombuds, and Experienced Ombuds*

Session 5B | Talking Circles for Ombuds: Engaging in Dialogue and Building Community

Talking Circles originate with Indigenous cultures in support of community. As we sit in circle we are rooted in a harmonic worldview that supports connection and transformation. We respect the time-honored traditions and avoid appropriating these practices by replicating indigenous spirituality. We use these practices with respect so that we can realize the benefits in our own organizations.

In this session:

• We will share the history and practices as we engage the audience by thinking about ways to incorporate them in our work.
• We in circle to demonstrate how to set up a circle as well as its effectiveness.
• Learn how to set up Talking Circles in a culturally appropriate manner

Kristine Paranica, J.D., is an Ombuds with 8 years of experience, and 20 years as a conflict resolution practitioner, presenter, and trainer. Kristine is a Certified Transformative Mediator and Fellow with the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation. She has published in law journals, a book chapter, and presented at conferences in the field of conflict resolution. She serves as an IOA mentor, on the PDC, conference, and programming committees, and as Chair of Membership Engagement.

Tessa Byer came to Clemson as the Staff Ombuds in August 2021. She has been a mediator, conflict coach, trainer, and Ombuds consultant since 2015, and she has provided conflict resolution in many contexts, including divorce, workplace, family, religious, landlord/tenant, permanency, and harassment prevention. After working as a mediator in Cambridge, MA, she founded The Resolved Approach, which provides affordable mediation and Ombuds services to individuals and organizations. In 2015, she received a Master of Arts in Coexistence and Conflict from Brandeis University, where she wrote her thesis about the role of Ombuds offices in college and university settings.

Target Audience: Emerging Ombuds, Established Ombuds, and Experienced Ombuds*

Session 5C | Internal v. Outsourced Ombuds: Is One Better? Is There a Difference?

Ombuds services have traditionally been offered as an in-house resource in organizations. This model has evolved in recent years to include outsourced Ombuds services primarily due to cost or the size of the organization, or as a trial to determine the need for Ombuds services. The pros and cons of each model, and best practices to ensure that visitors and organizations receive the highest quality services, will be shared by experienced Ombuds who have served in both capacities.

In this session:

• The key differences between an internal Ombuds and an outsourced Ombuds.
• Best practices to ensure that the principles of independence, impartiality, confidentiality, and informality can be maintained
• How to design an outsourced Ombuds program.

Geetha Ravindra has over 30 years of experience in ADR. She managed court mediation programs in Virginia for 11 years. She has provided mediation and training for the World Bank Group, and several federal and state agencies. She served as in-house Mediator and interim Ombuds for the IMF. She served as an outsourced Ombuds for the Center for Global Development. She was Director of Workplace Relations for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is an IOA (CO-OP®) certified.

Brian Bloch, MA, is the ombudsman for the United State Department of Interior. Mr. Bloch holds a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution. For 10 years he served as a consultant with India's Supreme Court Mediation and Conciliation Project, training Judges and senior advocates throughout India in the practice of conflict resolution. Mr. Bloch has published a number of papers including those in the Harvard Negotiation Law Review. He has taught conflict resolution at a number of Universities and Law Schools. Brian Bloch started the Ombuds program at the Department of Interior as an outsourced Ombuds. After three years his job at DOI converted to an internal one. He also serves as an outsourced Ombuds for ISKCON and the Ashoka Foundation.

Israela Brill-Cass has over 20 years of experience as an attorney, mediator, facilitator, and Ombuds. She has Since 2004, she taught negotiation (including culture and gender in salary negotiation), conflict communication, dispute resolution, and mediation in both the public and private sectors for such clients as Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Tufts Women in Medicine and Science, MassMutual (Society of GrownUps), MIT, Arabella Advisors, the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Administrative Office of the Trial Court, the Massachusetts Legal Recruitment Association, and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. As a faculty member in the Communication Studies Department at Emerson College, since 2012 she taught courses in Conflict and Negotiation, Persuasion, Mediation, Advocacy, and Pre-Law. In 2017 she became Wesleyan University's first Ombudsperson, serving as a resource for approximately 900 faculty and staff members on their Connecticut campus.

Dr. Timothy Hedeen is an experienced ombuds, mediator, and researcher, as well as Professor of Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University. He describes his work as "constructive conflict engagement," whether mediating workplace disputes, coaching private clients, or facilitating public policy dialogues. He frequently serves as a consultant, trainer, and evaluator in organizational, judicial, and educational settings. He's conducted many studies of ombuds services, including the ACUS report on federal agency ombuds, the past four IOA bi-annual practice surveys, and comprehensive reviews of ombuds offices at major universities.

Target Audience: Experienced Ombuds*

Session 5D | Can Ombuds be Leadership Coaches: A Pilot at the University of Washington

In response to the urgent need to support for new leaders, the UW Provost Office and Ombuds Office created & implemented a pilot leadership coaching program. Two University Ombuds and an Associate Dean stepped up as coaches for nine coaches from across the UW. We will describe the creation, implementation, and impact of the pilot, and the questions and opportunities it raises for ombuds.

This session will:

• Share components of designing & implementing a client-centered, proactive coaching program based on leadership competencies
• Describe potential conflicts between Ombuds-led coaching programs and the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
• Identify professional development opportunities for Ombuds in expanding skills in the world of leadership coaching

Chuck Sloane serves as the University Ombud. Chuck received his master of science degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington. Chuck previously worked as a Deputy Ombudsman for King County and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Chuck enjoys helping students, staff, and faculty members find success in the midst of challenging situations.

Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg is an Associate Ombud at the University of Washington. Previously, she was the inaugural University Ombudsperson for Brown University. She came to Brown from MIT where she worked with faculty, staff, and students to build capacity within the Institute community to deal effectively with conflict. Before her five years at MIT, Ruthy was chief of staff to three Deans of the Division of Biology and Medicine at Brown University and an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University School of Law. She has been a mediator in many contexts.

Sara Kim, PhD, is Research Professor of Surgery and Associate Dean for Educational Quality Improvement at the UW School of Medicine. As the holder of the George G. B. Bilsten Endowed Professorship in the Art of Communication with Peers and Patients, Sara leads research programs and delivers training in conflict management, speaking up, and team-building skills. She actively partners with clinical, administrative, and educational stakeholders across UW Medicine. She obtained her coaching certification through New Ventures West and also serves as a voluntary mediator at the King County Dispute Resolution Center.

Target Audience: Established Ombuds and Experienced Ombuds*

Session 5E | A Case Study: Creating an Inclusive Workplace for Your Black & Your Female Workforce

Attend this session and learn how one university IT Dept changed its culture using assessments, planning, and gumption. They increased feelings of inclusiveness among their Black workforce, and their female workforce, and ultimately increased employee engagement and job satisfaction.

In this session:

• Describe an easy model to explain bad behaviors as an organizational culture phenomenon, rather than as one bad seed.
• Define the process for assessing organizational culture and inclusivity, create, and implement a strategic plan for change.
• Learn from our mistakes and gain some do's and don'ts for culture change and inclusivity initiatives.

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is the founder and CEO of Civility Partners. Clients include Fortune 500™ to government to small businesses she served almost every industry you can think of. She's appeared on or in NPR, CNN, USA Today, Forbes, and more as an expert and is a best-selling author of three books.

Target Audience: Emerging Ombuds and Established Ombuds*

*Emerging Ombuds (0-3 years of practice and/or knowledge in topical area)

*Established Ombuds (3-9 years of practice and/or knowledge in topical area)

*Experienced Ombuds (More than 10 years of practice and/or knowledge in topical area)

3 April | 4 April | 5 April