AEA Ombuds Resource
Confidential, impartial, independent, and informal support for AEA members to surface and resolve work-related issues. A trusted place to talk through challenges, explore options, and find constructive ways forward. The ombuds resource supplements, not replaces, the AEA’s formal channels.
Meet Your Ombuds
Nnena Odim
AEA Ombuds Team Member
Nnena supports employees and leaders in navigating workplace concerns with a focus on confidentiality and fairness. She brings experience as an ombuds, mediator, and attorney across a range of organizations.
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Brent Epperson
AEA Ombuds Team Member
Brent supports organizations and individuals in addressing workplace concerns and conflict through confidential, impartial, and informal support. He brings extensive experience in mediation, facilitation, and organizational conflict management.
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Charmhee Kim
AEA Ombuds Team Member
Charmhee works with organizations and individuals to support constructive communication, conflict resolution, and healthier workplace dynamics through confidential and impartial ombuds support.
View full profile →What Is the Ombuds Resource?
The ombuds is an independent, informal resource for discussing workplace concerns, exploring options, and navigating difficult situations. You can bring questions, challenges, or conflicts of any kind and work through them in a thoughtful, low-risk way.
How the Ombuds Resource Can Help
How We Can Help
- Listen and provide a confidential space to talk
- Help you clarify concerns and explore options
- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations
- Identify helpful resources and next steps
- Surface patterns and concerns anonymously to leadership
What We Do Not Do
- Conduct formal investigations
- Make decisions or enforce outcomes
- Advocate for any one person or the oassociation
- Replace AEA formal processes
- Keep records that identify you
Ways We Can Support Individuals and the Association
In addition to one-on-one support, the ombuds offers a range of services to help individuals and the association navigate conflict and work more effectively.
One-on-One Conversations
A confidential space to talk through concerns, clarify options, and prepare for next steps.
Facilitated Conversations
Support for constructive, forward-looking conversations between individuals.
Workshops and Training
Practical sessions on communication, feedback, conflict management, and workplace skills.
Organizational Insight
Identifying patterns and trends to inform improvements in systems, practices, and association culture.
What Makes An Ombuds Different
The ombuds operates according to four core principles that help create a safe, fair, and trusted experience.
Confidential
The ombuds will not share what you discuss, or even that you met, without your permission, except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm.
Impartial
The ombuds does not take sides for any individual or the organization.
Informal
The ombuds works outside of, and does not participate in, formal processes.
Independent
The ombuds operates outside leadership structures and is not part of formal reporting channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Questions
What is the ombuds resource?
The ombuds team provides AEA members with an independent, confidential, impartial, and informal resource to discuss concerns, explore options, and navigate difficult situations related to work or study.
What kinds of concerns can the ombuds help with?
The ombuds can support visitors with interpersonal challenges, communication concerns, questions about AEA policies or procedures, ethical concerns, reporting options, and other issues affecting work or study environments.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. Confidentiality may be limited in situations involving an imminent risk of serious harm or where disclosure is otherwise required by law.
What does the ombuds resource not do?
The ombuds does not conduct investigations, make binding decisions, provide legal advice, advocate for individuals, or participate in formal grievance or complaint procedures.
What is the Reporting Lockbox?
The Reporting Lockbox is a separate confidential reporting channel where AEA members may document concerns related to potential violations of the AEA Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation or the AEA Code of Professional Conduct.
Do I need to prepare before meeting with the ombuds?
No preparation is required. You can come ready to share your concerns, ask questions, and discuss what matters most to you about the situation.
Still have a question? Contact the ombuds team.
Additional Resources
The AEA Ombuds Team offers additional resources and workshops to support members in navigating conflict, communication concerns, and professional challenges.
AEA Member Workshops
Workshops are designed to provide information, skill development, and practical tools related to conflict management and the ombuds resource. If you have a workshop suggestion, please let us know.
Learn More & RegisterVisitor Resources
Explore a bank of articles, videos, and tip sheets designed to help strengthen communication skills, navigate conflict, and approach difficult conversations more effectively.
View ResourcesAEA Reporting Lockbox
The Reporting Lockbox is a secure reporting channel separate from the Ombuds Resource where AEA Members can confidentially report conduct or circumstances involving potential violations of the AEA Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation or the AEA Code of Professional Conduct by another AEA member.
All names shared with the Reporting Lockbox are confidential. This may be a helpful option for individuals who are not yet ready to file a formal complaint but would like to create a confidential record regarding concerning conduct.
If another report identifies inappropriate behavior involving the same person of concern, reporters may, with their express permission, be connected to determine whether they wish to pursue a formal complaint with the AEA.
Learn More About the Reporting LockboxConnect with an Ombuds Team Member
Whether you have a question, want to think through a situation, or need help preparing for a conversation, the ombuds team is here to support you.
What People Are Saying
Feedback from individuals who have worked with an ombuds.
“Most valuable was being able to share freely without fear of retaliation or harming working relationships, with the assurance of confidentiality.”
“Without the ombuds resource, I likely would have sought a career opportunity elsewhere.”
“The ombuds was an excellent listener and communicator. She was objective and assisted me in thinking about the issues I faced from different perspectives. I sincerely appreciate the help.”
Contact an Ombuds Team Member
Submit a confidential request to connect with an ombuds. A member of the ombuds team will respond within one business day.
Your submission is confidential.
The AEA Ombuds Team was established under a charter approved by the American Economic Association President. A copy of that charter is available here . The charter incorporates by reference the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and requires that the Ombuds Team adhere to the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Due to the independent, impartial, informal, and confidential nature of the ombuds function, communication with an ombuds team member does not constitute formal notice to the American Economic Association.