Sunday, September 27
-
10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Student Design Competitions · Convention Center -
7:00–9:00 PM
Students & Young Professionals Networking Reception · JAMNOLA
The Conference Ombuds is a confidential, informal, impartial, and independent resource available during WEF Events for event attendees, staff, exhibitors, and others participating at an event.
Caitlan Hendrickson will be onsite September 27–30. You can meet privately with Caitlan during scheduled office hours in Convention Center Room 237, or connect with her throughout WEFTEC. You may also contact her anytime by email, phone, or the confidential web form.
All times are Central. Caitlan’s schedule may shift slightly during the conference. If you would like to arrange a confidential conversation, contact her directly by email, phone, or through the confidential web form.
You may contact the ombuds by email, phone, or confidential web form. Reaching out to the ombuds is voluntary, informal, and does not constitute formal notice to WEF.
MWI Ombuds Team Member Caitlan Hendrickson will be onsite from September 27–30, 2026, for WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans, LA. The ombuds office is located in Convention Center Room 237.
Email: caitlan-ombuds@mwi.org
Phone: 541-914-5406
Confidential Web Form: Use the form below.
Conversations are held in confidence, subject to very limited exceptions.
The ombuds is an off-the-record resource and does not participate in formal investigations.
The ombuds does not take sides and works to promote fair process and constructive options.
The ombuds functions independently and is not part of ordinary management or complaint channels.
You are unsure how to handle a situation.
Something happened that did not feel right.
You want to talk through a concern before deciding what to do.
You have experienced or witnessed a possible policy, conduct, safety, or communication issue.
When in doubt, reach out.
Learn more about how the conference ombuds resource works, what to expect, and how confidentiality is handled.
View FAQs
Caitlan is an ombuds with more than twenty years of ADR experience and more than a decade leading ADR offices in large multicultural organizations. She brings experience across higher education, healthcare, courts, government, and nonprofit settings, and provides ombuds services in English and Spanish.
Jai is an experienced, people-focused ombuds and organizational development consultant with deep experience in conflict resolution, employee engagement, and diversity and inclusion. She has served in both conference ombuds and corporate ombuds roles.
Josh is MWI’s Director of Ombuds & Mediation Services and oversees MWI’s organizational ombuds panel and conference ombuds services. He has more than 24 years of experience in conflict resolution and currently serves as a conference ombuds for WEF.
You may use the confidential form below to share a concern, ask a question, or request contact from an ombuds team member. Sharing your name and contact information is optional.
Due to the confidential, impartial, informal, and independent nature of the ombuds function, communication with the ombuds does not constitute formal notice to WEF.
The WEF Charter for WEF Events was established under a charter approved by the Director of Culture and Belonging. View a copy of that charter here. The charter incorporates by reference the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association and requires that WEF ombuds team members adhere to the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
These materials contain important information about the ombuds role and the manner in which the ombuds functions.