DAVIS Ombuds Resource
Confidential, impartial support for employees and leaders navigating workplace concerns and conflict. A trusted place to talk through challenges, explore options, and find constructive ways forward.
Meet Your Ombuds
Nnena Odim
DAVIS 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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Josh Hoch
DAVIS Ombuds Team Member
Josh is the Director of Ombuds & Mediation Services at MWI and he supports organizations in navigating conflict and building healthier workplaces. He brings over 20 years of experiences in the field.
View full profile →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 organization
- Replace Human Resources or legal processes
- Receive official notice for the organization
- Keep records that identify you
Ways We Can Support Individuals, Teams, and the Organization
In addition to one-on-one support, the ombuds offers a range of services to help individuals, teams, and the organization 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.
Team and Group Support
Facilitation and support for teams working through challenges, communication issues, or conflict.
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 workplace culture.
Upcoming Workshops
We provide one-hour workshops designed to build practical communication,
feedback, and conflict management skills across DAVIS.
What Makes Us 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 management 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 is an independent, informal resource for discussing workplace concerns, exploring options, and navigating difficult situations in a confidential setting.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Confidentiality is maintained except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm or where required by law.
Do I need to prepare before reaching out?
No preparation is required. You can come as you are and talk through your situation.
Still have a question? Contact the ombuds team.
Connect 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.
A Quick Tip for Navigating Workplace Conflict
If you're working through a situation on your own, here’s a simple approach that can help.
Why We Jump to Conclusions
Many workplace misunderstandings begin when we fill in missing information too quickly. Before reacting, pause and ask: What facts do I know? What assumptions might I be making? What question could help clarify the situation? If you'd like help thinking this through, the ombuds can work with you.
Read more
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.”
“Having a neutral party facilitate a conversation with my supervisor helped us better understand each other and slow things down so we didn’t make assumptions.”
“Having a sounding board to talk things through. As a manager without direct peers, I don’t always have a place to process without escalating to my manager.”
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 ombuds resource operates under a charter approved by DAVIS leadership and follows the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. View the charter →