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The CERF 2025 Biennial Conference Ombuds: Your Resource for Addressing Concerns

Independent. Impartial. Informal. Confidential.

The term “ombuds” (pronounced “ahm–buhds”) comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.”

The ombuds is an impartial, independent, off-the-record resource who is available on-site to hear concerns confidentially. The ombuds can assist with identifying options and resources to address conflicts or issues such as harassment, discrimination, or any violation of CERF’s Event Code of Conduct. This resource is available to all attendees, staff, exhibitors, and anyone participating in CERF 2025.

The Ombuds will be available during the meeting for individual, confidential consultations at the Greater Richmond Convention Center [ROOM] as follows:

  • Monday, November 10, 2025 | [HOURS]
  • Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | [HOURS]
  • Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | [HOURS]
  • Thursday, November 13, 2025 | [HOURS]

Use the form at the bottom of this page to learn more or schedule an appointment with the ombuds.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about an ombuds function:

  1. What does an ombuds do?
  2. How do I contact the ombuds before, during, and after the conference?
  3. What does an ombuds not do?
  4. Who can use the ombuds service?
  5. What types of concerns are brought to the ombuds?
  6. What happens when you contact the ombuds?
  7. What might I gain by contacting the ombuds?
  8. What authority does the ombuds have?
  9. What happens to information provided to the ombuds?
  10. How does the ombuds differ from employee relations or Human Resources professional?
  11. How does the ombuds differ from a lawyer?
  12. How does an ombuds differ from a mediator?
  13. What sort of issues and concerns come to the ombuds?
  14. If I have a concern on someone else’s behalf at the conference, may I contact the ombuds, or is this service only for people who are concerned about themselves?
  15. How does the ombuds remain neutral?
  16. Will the ombuds participate in formal meetings?
  17. How is the ombuds unique and different than other resources at CERF?
  18. Are there some things that will not be kept confidential?
  19. Will the ombuds talk to my attorney or testify for me or for the company if I choose to file a grievance or lawsuit?
  20. Can the user of the ombuds services remain anonymous?
  21. Does the ombuds report to CERF on issues they dealt with at the conference?
  22. What if my question is not listed here?

Resources

About the Ombuds

Nnena Odim ombudsNnena Odim is a mediator, ombuds, attorney, trainer, and consultant. She has been mediating since 1997, and has mediated disputes involving issues such as employment, housing, business, consumer, academic/higher education, and the full range of family/domestic relations (divorce, unmarried parents, elder care, adoption, etc.). Nnena has also designed and/or led conflict management trainings for several local and national businesses and agencies, including the Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts Housing Authority, Neighborhood Works, Coca Cola, and Netflix. In addition to her mediation and conflict resolution training background, Nnena is trained by the International Ombuds Association and has served as an ombuds for CVS, American Planning Association, and several local construction companies. After 25 years, Nnena has recently retired from Harvard Law School, where she was the Director and Senior Clinical Instructor of the Family/Domestic Violence Law Clinic at Harvard’s Legal Services Center. In addition to being an active practicing attorney in Massachusetts Family and Probate Courts, she provided experiential training to law students and taught them how to become effective and ethical attorneys. Nnena has worked with the Harvard Mediation Program (HMP) and Harvard Program on Negotiation to provide trainings for students and community members, and to supervise Harvard Law School students in their mediation and negotiation studies. She served as a faculty and coach of mediation skills for trainings at Suffolk and Boston College Law Schools, MIT, and New England School of Law. Nnena has also served on numerous panels and speaking rosters for a variety of topics, including those on self-care and mental health for students and faculty, establishing boundaries in a professional setting, race and gender, and LGBTQ+ rights. Nnena is a member of the HMP Advisory Board. In 2019, Nnena was honored by the Harvard Women’s Law Association International Committee. In 2015, she received the Harvard Law School Dean’s Award for Excellence, and in 2013, Nnena was a Top Women in the Law award recipient from Mass. Lawyers Weekly.

Contact

  • Email: Send an email to
  • Phone: (direct and confidential phone and voicemail)
  • Confidential web form – If you would like to submit the form in confidence, you are not required to give your name.

CERF 2025 Conference Ombuds Form

Due to the confidential, impartial, informal, and independent nature of the ombuds function, communication with the ombuds does not constitute formal notice to CERF.

The CERF Charter for the CERF2025 Biennial Conference Ombuds was established under a charter approved by the Executive Director. 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 CERF ombuds adheres to the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The charter, as well as the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, contain important information about the ombuds and the manner in which the ombuds functions.