Publications & Presentations

Publications

What an Ombuds Charter Is and Why It Matters

Journal of the International Ombuds Association, Vol. 17, Issue 1 | By Chuck Howard and Chuck Doran | December 2024

A Matter Of Trust: UM Controversy Shows How Ombuds Programs Should, Shouldn't Function, Expert Argues

Mississippi Free Press | By Chuck Howard | 21 January 2021

What Happens When an Employee Calls the Ombudsman?

Harvard Business Review | By Charles L. Howard | May-June 2020

Avoid Being a Whistleblower With Safe Place Ombudsman Programs

Bloomberg Law | By Charles L. Howard | 2 December 2019

A Law Firm Ombuds – A Program Worth Considering

ABA Dispute Resolution Section Just Resolutions Newsletter | By Vaughan Finn and Chuck Howard | September 2018

A Broader View of Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution Magazine | By Charles L. Howard | Fall 2016

Understanding the Types of Ombudsman: A Starter Guide

ABA Dispute Resolution Section Just Resolutions Newsletter | By Julie C. Smith and Charles L. Howard | February 2015

A Fresh Look at The Organizational Ombudsman

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) | By Meredith Holmes | Winter 2012

Promoting an Ethical Culture: The Organizational Ombudsman

Compliance & Ethics Professional, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics | By Charles L. Howard | August 2010

Ombudsmen Are Valuable Supplement to Compliance Efforts

Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. | By Charles L. Howard | 21 June 2010

ABA Dispute Resolution Section Webinar

ABA Book Publishing | By Charles L. Howard | December 2009

Presentations

Coursera: Ombudsman: A Unique Role in Dispute Resolution

Module 3: “Inside the Organizational Ombuds World: Voices from the Field,” Organizational Ombuds with Chuck Howard (Podcast)

2026

Blessed Be Podcast

Conversation with Chuck Howard, former Executive Director of the International Ombuds Association

8 January 2026

CPR—Employment Disputes

Panel Presentation: “The Organizational Ombuds—What Corporate Counsel Might Want to Consider” (with Chuck Doran, Executive Director of MWI, and Robyn Diaz, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

5 March 2025

ABA Dispute Resolution Section Webinar

Panel Presentation: "Why Your Company Needs an Organizational Ombuds Program to Succeed" (with Chuck Doran and Dina Eisenberg, moderated by Elizabeth Schwartz Hill)

29 March 2023

CPR Employment Disputes Committee

Panel Presentation: "Ombuds and Ombuds Programs (with Chuck Doran and Dina Eisenberg, moderated by CPR President and CEO Allen Waxman)

9 November 2022

Hollywood Commission Organizational Ombuds Workshop

Presentation and Discussion Leader

7 September 2022

ABA 2022 Dispute Resolution Section Conference

Panel Presentation: "Safeguarding Confidential Data: What is our responsibility in dispute resolution?" (with Dr. Clare Fowler and Colin Rule of Mediate.com)

27 April 2022

Watch

IOA 17th Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Safeguarding Confidential Data: What is our responsibility in dispute resolution?" (with Dr. Clare Fowler and Colin Rule of Mediate.com)

4 April 2022

Resolutions Podcast: "Exploring the Organizational Ombuds with Chuck Howard"

ABA Dispute Resolution Section

14 February 2022

Listen

University of Connecticut School of Law

Guest Lecturer on Ombuds Programs in course on Case Studies in Compliance Systems

West Hartford, Connecticut | 14 February 2022

Ombuds Day Program, University of Kansas

"Managing Conflict and Resolution on Campus—the Role of the University Ombuds Office" — A dialog among Chuck Howard, Executive Director of the International Ombuds Association; D.A. Graham, Interim Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the University of Kansas; and Ada Emmett, Acting University Ombuds at the University of Kansas.

14 October 2021

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The Future of Workplace Dispute Resolution and the Role of Ombuds

Webinar Presented by Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA). Panelists: Angela Dash, Founder and President of the Pace Institute and Ombuds for Northeast Ohio Medical University; Chuck Howard, Executive Director of IOA; and Arthur Pearlstein, Director of Arbitration Services, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. Moderator: Sarah (Miller) Espinosa, Ombudsman for Prince William County Public Schools.

Watch

International – Corporate Sector Ombuds Day Celebration

Speaker with: Nora Galer, Camilo Azcarate, Lynne Chaillat, Alberto Elisavetsky, Bruce MacAllister

13 October 2020

Watch

Keynote: Ombuds Day – A Recognition of the Ombuds Profession & the Value of Ombuds

Presented By: ABA Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Day Committee

8 October 2020

View

Episode 93: Chuck Howard, International Ombudsman Association's Executive Director – Crafting Solutions to Conflict

A practical and positive perspective! Guest on the program.

7 October 2020

Listen

Labor and Employment Coalition of the Conference Board

Presenter with Adam Learman, Pfizer: "How Ombuds Programs Enhance the Workplace Environment"

17 June 2020

University Risk Managers and Insurance Association (URMIA) Webinar

Presenter with Melanie Jagneaux and Joan Waters: "How an Organizational Ombuds Program Can Help a University Mitigate Risk"

28 May 2020

Catalyst, Inc. Expert Community Presentation

Presenter with Sana Manjeshwar, Chevron, and Suzanne Diviney, Pfizer: "Webinar: How Ombuds Programs Empower Women and Support Inclusion in the Workforce"

7 May 2020

Pinnacle Consortium of Higher Education

Presenter: "How an Organizational Ombuds Program Can Help a University Mitigate Risk" (with Marcia Martinez-Helfman and Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg)

Providence, Rhode Island | 24 October 2019

ABA Dispute Resolution Section: Ombuds Committee

Keynote Speaker: 2019 Ombuds Day Program

Washington, D.C. | 10 October 2019

View

United States Ombudsman Association 38th Annual Conference

Presenter: "The Educational Ombudsman: A Valuable Tool for Early Dispute Resolution" (with Judi Martin)

San Antonio, Texas | 4 October 2017

IOA 12th Annual Conference

Moderator, Panel Presentation: "Education Conflict Resolution: Establishing Ombuds Programs in K-12 Schools" (with Nancy Deering, Esther Salinas, and Joyanna Smith)

Minneapolis, Minnesota | 24 April 2017

ABA Dispute Resolution Section 2017 Spring Conference

Moderator, Panel Presentation: "Education Conflict Resolution: Establishing Ombuds Programs in K-12 Schools" (with Joyanna Smith, Judi Martin, and Jollee Faber Patterson)

San Francisco, California | 19 April 2017

National School Board Association Conference

Moderator, Panel Presentation: "The Educational Ombudsman: A Valuable Tool for Early Dispute Resolution" (with Esther Salinas, Judi Martin, and Jollee Faber Patterson)

Denver, Colorado | 26 March 2017

University of Connecticut School of Law—CT Mediation Association

Presenter on Ombudsman Programs

West Hartford, Connecticut | 19 April 2016

IOA 11th Annual Conference

Concurrent Session Presenter: "United States Legal Update" & "Report on Activities of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Committee"

Seattle, Washington | 11–12 April 2016

ABA Dispute Resolution Section 2016 Spring Conference

Presenter: "Ombuds Committee Task Force on Ombuds Lecture Materials for Law Schools"

New York, New York | 8 April 2016

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Guest Lecturer on Ombuds Issues: Introduction to Dispute Resolution in Healthcare Course

Hamden, Connecticut | 7 March 2016

ABA Dispute Resolution Section 2015 Spring Conference

Moderator, Panel Presentation: "An Effective Conflict Management System: The Critical Role of the Ombudsman" (with Sara Thacker, Jonathan Stier, and Melanie Lewis)

Seattle, Washington | 16 April 2015

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Guest Lecturer on Ombuds Issues: Introduction to Dispute Resolution in Healthcare Course

Hamden, Connecticut | 2 March 2015

Asia-Pacific International Mediation Summit

Presenter: "Dispute Resolution in Companies and Other Organizations"

New Delhi, India | 14 February 2015

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Guest Lecturer on Ombuds Issues: Course on Alternative Dispute Resolution

Hamden, Connecticut | 12 November 2014

IOA 9th Annual Conference

Concurrent Session Presenter: "United States Legal Update" & Plenary Session Presenter: "What Should be Next for Organizational Ombuds—Some Ideas for Future Legal Developments"

Denver, Colorado | 8–9 April 2014

ABA Dispute Resolution Section 2014 Spring Conference

Moderator, Panel Presentation: "Introduction to Ombuds Practices"

Miami, Florida | 3 April 2014

Columbia University—School of Continuing Education

Guest Lecturer on Advanced Ombuds Practice & Organizational Change: Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program

New York, New York | 1 March 2014

National Association of Corporate Directors—Master Class

Presenter: "Asymmetric Information Risk: The Role of the Ombudsman" (with Jonathan McBride)

Miami, Florida | 12–13 December 2013

Corporate Organizational Ombudsman Roundtable

Presenter: "What's Next in the Ombuds World: Ideas for Future Legal Developments"

Atlanta, Georgia | 8 October 2013

12th Annual Coalition of Federal Ombuds Conference

Presenter: "Legal Updates and Significant Cases"

Arlington, Virginia | 30 September 2013

National Association of Corporate Directors—Master Class

Presenter: "Asymmetric Information Risk: The Role of the Ombudsman" (with Stephen Norman)

Boston, Massachusetts | 13–14 June 2013

IOA 8th Annual Conference

Presenter: "Update on the 'Dear Colleague Letter' and Confidentiality in the Education Sector" (with Thomas A. Kosakowski)

Miami, Florida | 19–24 April 2013

The Marie Garibaldi ADR Inn of Court/NJ State Bar Association DRS and the NJ Association of Professional Mediators

Presenter: "Workplace Dispute Resolution: The Role of The Organizational Ombudsman"

Basking Ridge, New Jersey | 26 February 2013

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Guest Lecturer on Ombuds Issues: Ethics and Corporate Compliance Course

Hamden, Connecticut | 25 February 2013

Columbia University: School of Continuing Education

Guest Lecturer on Advanced Ombuds Practice & Organizational Change: Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program

New York, New York | 16 February 2013

ADR Lunchtime Series Presentation

Panelist — Brown Bag Lunch: "How an Ombuds Office Serving Employees, Customers, and Citizens Can Bring Greater Success to Your Agency"

U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. | 7 February 2013

Washington D.C. Bar Presentation

Panelist: "The Role of Corporate Ombuds: An Organizational Partner for Risk Mitigation and Conflict Prevention"

Office of Hogan Lovells, Washington, D.C. | 3 January 2013

Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference

Presenter: "Building a Better Workplace Through the Organizational Ombuds"

Houston, Texas | 8 November 2012

Southeast Conference on Conflict Management

Presenter: "Workplace Conflict and Reporting: The Role of an Organizational Ombudsman and the Importance of Confidential Communications"

Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee | 25 September 2012

National Roundtable on Employment Dispute Resolution

Roundtable Participant: Penn State University Dickinson School of Law

State College, Pennsylvania | 7 September 2012

Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics 10th Annual Higher Education Compliance Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Whistleblower Crosscurrents: The Limitations of Whistleblower Laws"

Austin, Texas | 5 June 2012

Texas House of Representatives Judiciary Committee

Testimony in support of Ombuds Shield Law

Austin, Texas | 18 April 2012

IOA 7th Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Confidentiality as a Standard of Practice: Challenged and Challenging"

Houston, Texas | 16 April 2012

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Guest Lecturer on Ombuds Issues: Course on Alternative Dispute Resolution

Hamden, Connecticut | 26 March 2012

Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics

Webinar Panel Presentation: "Encouraging Reporting & Protecting Whistleblowers"

28 February 2012

Columbia University: School of Continuing Education

Guest Lecturer on Advanced Ombuds Practice & Organizational Change: Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program

New York, New York | 12 February 2012

Rock Center for Corporate Governance Stanford Law School

Panel Presentation: "From Dangerous Silence to a Culture of Trust"

Stanford, California | 29 October 2011

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National Association of Corporate Directors, Silicon Valley Chapter

Panel Presentation: "An Inspector General for Corporate America: The Governance Ombudsman"

Palo Alto, California | 20 October 2011

Minnesota Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Section 14th Annual ADR Institute

Presentation: "Resolving Workplace Conflict—The Role of the Organizational Ombudsman"

Minneapolis, Minnesota | 14 October 2011

Marquette University Law School

Featured Speaker: "Blowing the Whistle on Whistleblower Laws and Polices—Why Fear of Retaliation Limits Their Effectiveness"

Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 13 October 2011

The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA)

The Friday Focus Series Presentation: "The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles, and Operations—A Legal Guide"

Rocky Hill, Connecticut | 8 July 2011

Defense Industry Initiative (DII) Best Practices Forum 25th Anniversary Conference

Panel Presentation: "Addressing the Culture of Fear"

Washington, D.C. | 23 June 2011

RAND Corporation Whistleblower Symposium

Participant at Roundtable Symposium: "For Whom the Whistle Blows: Advancing Corporate Integrity and Compliance Efforts in the Era of Dodd-Frank"

Arlington, Virginia | 11 May 2011

Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac-Yale Dispute Resolution Workshop Presentation on The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles, and Operations—A Legal Guide

24 February 2011

Watch

Princeton University

Featured Speaker: "Bridging the Gap—Creating a Fair and Impartial Culture" — Presentation Hosted by Princeton University Ombuds Office, Office of Audit and Compliance, and Program in Law and Public Affairs

Princeton, New Jersey | 23 November 2010

The Institute of Internal Auditors, Philadelphia Chapter 2010 Fall Conference

Chief Internal Auditor Track Breakout Session Presentation: "The Role of the Organizational Ombudsman"

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 22 November 2010

Ombuds of Texas – Quarterly Meeting

Featured Speaker: Presentation on The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles, and Operations—A Legal Guide

Austin, Texas | 10 November 2010

California Caucus of College and University Ombuds 37th Annual Conference

Dinner Speaker: "Cultivating a Sustainable Relationship with Corporate Counsel"

Pacific Grove, California | 8 November 2010

Southern California Mediation Association 22nd Annual Fall Conference

Panel Presentation: "Career Alternatives for ADR Professionals"

Malibu, California | 6 November 2010

Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics

Webinar Presentation: "Extending the Reach of Your Compliance Program: How an Organizational Ombudsman Can be a Valuable Supplement to Compliance"

3 June 2010

Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics 8th Annual Conference for Effective Compliance Systems in Higher Education

Plenary Presentation: "Re-examining and Supplementing Your Compliance Tools"

Dallas, Texas | 23 April 2010

IOA 5th Annual Conference

Plenary Presentation: "The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles, and Operations"

New Orleans, Louisiana | 8 April 2010

East Coast Ombuds Group

Featured Speaker on The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles, and Operations—A Legal Guide at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts | 22 March 2010

Southeast Ombuds Group

Featured Speaker on The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Roles, and Operations—A Legal Guide at Coca-Cola Enterprises Offices

Atlanta, Georgia | 10 February 2010

Connecticut Bar Association

Panel Presentation: "An ADR Professional's Guide: Health Care Industry Cultural Differences and Regulatory ADR Framework"

Hartford, Connecticut | 8 June 2009

National Association of College and University Attorneys 48th Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Ombuds and Other Alternatives to Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Disputes"

New York, New York | 25 June 2008

IOA 3rd Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Legal and Practical Considerations for the Contract Ombudsman" & "Current Legal Issues for Ombudsman Programs"

Boston, Massachusetts | 13–14 April 2008

IOA 2nd Annual Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Legal and Legislative Update"

St. Louis, Missouri | 12 April 2007

Connecticut Bar Association – Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

Featured Speaker: "Organizational Ombuds Programs"

Hartford, Connecticut | 9 January 2007

Association for Conflict Resolution 6th Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Establishing a Complete Conflict Resolution System: To Ensure Transparency, Ethics and Risk Mitigation"

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 26 October 2006

Miller & Martin PLLC

Half-Day Presentation for outside counsel for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. on ombuds issues

Chattanooga, Tennessee | 3 August 2006

ABA Dispute Resolution Section 8th Annual Spring Conference

Panel Presentation: "Implementation of Ombuds Programs in Hospital Systems: Objectives and Benefits"

April 2006

IOA 1st Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Meeting the Hot Line Challenge" & "United States Legal and Legislative Update"

San Diego, California | April 2006

IOA October 2005 Specialized Course

Specialized Course: "Upward Feedback, Notice, and Confidentiality"

Alexandria, Virginia | October 2005

The American Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals

Panel Presentation on Ombuds Issues, Joint Regional Fall Conference

Wilmington, Delaware | September 2005

The Ombudsman Association

Full-Day Course on Ombuds Legal Issues: "Legal Issues From the Edge"

Chicago, Illinois | July 2005

The Ombudsman Association Annual Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Ombuds Legal and Professional Standards Update"

Atlanta, Georgia | April 2005

LRN Knowledge Forum

Panel Presentation: "Protecting Confidentiality of Ombuds Communications"

Los Angeles, California | February 2005

California Caucus of College and University Ombudsman, 31st Annual Asilomar Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Ombuds Legal and Professional Standards Update"

Pacific Grove, California | November 2004

The Ombudsman Association and University and College Ombuds Association Annual Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Ombuds Legal Update"

Tucson, Arizona | April 2004

Ethics Officer Association Annual Conference

Breakout Session Presentation: "Protecting Confidentiality: The Ombuds Privilege"

Orlando, Florida | October 2003

Clemson University

Half-Day Presentation on Ombuds Issues at the Department Chair's and Dean's Retreat

Clemson, South Carolina | August 2003

The Ombudsman Association Annual Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Legislative and Professional Developments Impacting Ombuds"

Orlando, Florida | May 2003

University and College Ombuds Association Annual Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Ombuds Confidentiality Privilege"

Denver, Colorado | April 2003

Redmond, Williams Seminar

Presentation: "Ombuds Confidentiality"

New York, New York | February 2003

The Ombudsman Association

Full-Day Course: "Ombuds Deposition Training"

Washington, D.C. | October 2002

The Ombudsman Association Annual Conference

Pre-Conference Course: "Ombuds Deposition Training"

Arlington, Virginia | May 2002

Columbia Teachers College

Guest Lecturer: "Role of Ombuds in Dispute Resolution"

New York, New York | August 2001

The Ombudsman Association Annual Conference

Plenary Session Presentation: "Ombuds Legal Issues"

Houston, Texas | May 2001

The Ombudsman Association Annual Conference

Presentation: "Role of Counsel"

San Francisco, California | May 2000

The Ombudsman Association Annual Conference

Panel Presentation: "Shared Responsibility: The Role of Ombuds and Counsel"

Phoenix, Arizona | May 1999

ABA Section on Dispute Resolution

Panel Presentation: "Breaking Down the Barriers ADR in the New Millennium"

Boston, Massachusetts | April/May 1999