2026 September Symposium

An In-Person Event for Intermediate and Advanced Practitioners

Dates and Time | Location | Registration | Hotel Options | Schedule

2026 Partners | Partnership Opportunities | Past Events

This year’s September Symposium is designed as an intensive, highly interactive workshop experience focused on meaningful growth and lasting impact.

Unlike a traditional conference format, this smaller event, for those in practice for five or more years, emphasizes preparation, active participation, honest reflection, and collaborative learning throughout the experience. Participants will engage in guided pre-work, immersive group sessions, and practical discussions designed to deepen insight and strengthen professional practice.

The Symposium experience will extend beyond the event itself, with participants continuing the journey through quarterly cohort sessions over the following year to support ongoing learning, accountability, and connection.

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Dates and Time

30 September: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET
1 October: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET

Location

American Red Cross - Blood Donation Center
1730 E Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

We appreciate the American Red Cross providing the meeting space for the IOA's 2026 Symposium.

Registration

Registration Type	Pricing*
Retired / Distinguished Emeritus Member	$400
Member	$495
Non-Member	$650

*Please note: in light of partnership and other support received, registration fees have been adjusted and lowered.

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Hotel Options

Attendees are welcome to book accommodations that best suit their budgetary needs for the Symposium, as D.C. hotels can be expensive. While we do not have an official room block for this event, below is a list of nearby hotels within walking distance or a short drive from the venue.

Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC/Foggy Bottom
515 20th St NW, Washington, DC 20006 | 0.4 miles

State Plaza Hotel
2117 E St NW, Washington, DC 20037 | 0.4 miles

Hampton Inn Washington, D.C./White House
1729 H St NW, Washington, DC 20006 | 0.4 miles

JW Marriott Washington, DC
1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 | 1 mile

Residence Inn by Marriott Washington, DC/Foggy Bottom
801 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037 | 0.8 miles

Symposium Agenda

Note: Attendees will be asked to complete the Personal Values Assessment before attending. The fee for this assessment is included in the registration.

Wednesday, 30 September | Day One | Understanding Power and Influence in the Ombuds Role

8:45 AM - 9:15 AM	Welcome Jenn Mahony, President, International Ombuds Association and Representatives from the American Red Cross Association
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM	Practice Edge We will begin the Symposium exploring the tensions that come up when practicing to Standards/SOPs, responding to what organizations really want, and embracing the true dichotomy of our dual mandates: supporting visitors and understanding the organization as a visitor. The intent of this plenary remains the same: to "push the envelope” in a way that challenges us to openly discuss difficult practice issues in a critically supportive manner. Facilitator Victor Voloshin, NIH Ombudsman and Director of the Center for Collaborative Resolution, National Institutes of Health.
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM	Break
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM	How Do You See Your Identity? Working with professional coaches, we will do a deep dive into how we see ourselves, how we identify with our work as ombuds, and uncover traits or barriers that may unintentionally impact our work as influencers. *Speaker* Dr. Rachel Fichter, Founder, VISIA Leadership
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Small Group Reflection and Discussion Throughout the symposium, we will create space for small group discussions and informal sharing.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch and Optional American Red Cross Historian Tour (30 min)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM	Psychology of Tension Harnessing the power of tensions as an opportunity for constructive change can broaden ombuds practice. At this session, you will learn how multilayered tensions may arise within organizational systems, and understanding tensions can enhance your ombuds practice with a neutral and fair stance while uncovering potential opportunities for your visitors, constituents, and the organization you are serving. Speaker Dr. Lisa Yamagata- Lynch, Certified Organizational Ombuds, University Ombudsperson and Director, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM	The Gentle Art of Influence Lobbyists educate with a specific goal in mind: they understand their audience and apply messaging in a way that will resonate. At this session, you will hear from two DC lobbyists and also hear about the art of gentle influence and persuasion. *Speakers* Erynn Hook, Senior Associate, Innovative Federal Strategies Ken Goldsmith, Senior Legislative Counsel/Director for State Legislation, American Bar Association *Moderator* Ellen Miller, Executive Director of IOA
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM	Break
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM	Small Group Reflection and Discussion

Thursday, 1 October | Day Two | Tools to Help Exercise Your Power

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM	Media Coaching for Ombuds Media training teaches the powerful technique of how to answer questions not responsively but with the information you want to convey. At this session, you will learn the art of the pivot and pause, and how media training can help you effectively work with organizational leadership. Speaker Don Meyer, Founder and President, Westfourth Communications
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM	Break
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM	Improv for Ombuds Building on the tools shared in the morning sessions, we will learn and practice improv techniques that will also help us use our influence. Speaker Topher Bellavia, Only Connect Coaching
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM	Lunch
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM	Being More Flexible in the Moment We speak Ombuds. But we work with many different types of stakeholders who do not speak our language. How do we come from a place of yes, while still practicing ethically and aligned with SOPs. During this hour, we will work on our responses to complex issues that typically come our way. Speakers Mike Santos, Deputy Corporate Ombuds at Con Edison Gretchen Scheidler Firm Ombuds, McKinsey Lily Xu, Certified Organizational Ombuds, Corporate Ombuds, RTX Ronnie Thomson- Corporate Ombuds, Sandia National Laboratories Adam Barak Kleinberger- Ombuds, Harvard University Mollie Berg, CO-OP® National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Moderator Carolyn Esposito, CO-OP® Corporate Ombuds, AB
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM	Small Group Reflection and Discussion
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM	Break
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM	Broadening Visitor-Centric Perspective Our roles are complex, and providing support to all who need our skills can be challenging. While just focusing on visitor work is a luxury, it is also a vulnerability in today’s climate. What does it look like to broaden your visitor-centric experience beyond the stakeholder in the room? How do we bring organizational awareness into all that we do? This session will explore the how and the why and remind us of our comprehensive impact. Speakers Scott Deyo, CO-OP®, Organizational Ombuds, University of North Carolina Charlotte Jenn Mahony, Ombuds and Office Director, Boston Children's Hospital Dr. Jacqueline Villafane, CO-OP® CEO, Infinidad Consulting LLC
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Debrief, Next Steps, and Closing Amanda Dean, Ombudsman for Staff and Faculty at Austin Community College and Lisa Yamagata-Lynch, Certified Organizational Ombuds