Happy Ombuds Day! Today is International Ombuds Day, an international day of recognition for the ombuds profession. To celebrate, we are sharing a message from the AEA Ombuds to increase awareness and encourage greater understanding of, and use of, the ombuds resource among AEA members. The ombuds team plays a vital role in enhancing our professional environment. I encourage you to take a moment to review the information below so that you and your colleagues are well prepared to take advantage of this resource as needed.

The Ombuds: Your Resource for Addressing Workplace Challenges

As an economist, you may face issues such as authorship disputes, harassment or discrimination, concerns about professional integrity and difficult working relationships. (These are a few sample topics, while the full range of topics is much broader.) Addressing these situations can be complicated and confusing, and you may worry about compromising your reputation or making things worse. If you feel unsure about how to assess or handle a challenging situation, or if you need support in preparing for a difficult conversation, we provide a sounding board and thought partnership in a private and confidential setting.

Confidentiality is the defining principle of our practice. We aggregate high-level information that AEA members bring to us in order to track and analyze themes and patterns of concerns, but we do not reveal the identities of who contact us unless given permission to share or if we determine that there is an imminent risk of serious harm. The ombuds are independent of AEA, staffed by a separate entity, MWI. There are no preconditions for speaking with the ombuds. Contacting an ombuds is entirely voluntary and does not trigger any formal course of action or legal process by the AEA. The ombuds team does not and cannot participate in formal processes such as grievances, investigations, or lawsuits. We do not advocate for anyone or any group but rather for a fair process. The ombuds’ role is to help individuals make informed decisions for themselves with our assistance and support.

Meet the AEA Ombuds Team

Nnena Odim
Nnena brings extensive experience in mediation, facilitation, negotiation and law to her ombuds practice. Her path to ombuds work is driven by a commitment to helping individuals experience a sense of fairness and justice in their workplaces. She believes meaningful resolution happens when people feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore options and map out their own solutions. Nnena views the ombuds resource as a vital and confidential sanctuary to navigate complex dynamics and humanize workplace challenges.

Brent Epperson
Brent brings 12 years of ombuds experience across Europe and North America, along with his work as a researcher and professor in conflict studies. His approach is grounded in principles of fairness and good governance. He helps individuals navigate conflicts, understand their options, and identify constructive paths forward. Brent’s research and teaching focus on ombuds practice and on developing administratively fair and equitable policies and procedures, particularly in the health and higher education sectors.

Charmhee Kim
Charmhee’s journey as an ombuds began serendipitously while working at a global management consultancy, when she was invited to serve in a role she had not been previously unaware of. Over the ensuing 20 years, she has helped countless individuals through challenging situations with empathy, cultural awareness and practical insight. Drawing on her experience across business and organizational ombuds practice, she supports people in assessing possibilities, strengthening communication, and addressing concerns productively. Together, we are proud and honored to support AEA and its members in fostering a fairer, more inclusive, and collaborative culture.

The Report Lockbox: A Separate Confidential Resource

Separate from the ombuds resource and monitored by a dedicated staff member of MWI, the Report Lockbox is a secure reporting channel where AEA members can confidentially report conduct or circumstances of 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 to the Reporting Lockbox are confidential. This may be a desirable resource for anyone who is not ready or willing to file a complaint under the above-mentioned policy, but who wants to create a record of inappropriate behavior by another AEA member. In the event another report to the Reporting Lockbox identifies inappropriate behavior of the same person of concern, the identity of each user of the Reporting Lockbox would be disclosed to other users, with their express permission, so they could determine whether they would like to file a collective formal complaint with the AEA. Please click here for more information.

Connect with Us and Resources

Please consider reaching out to us for a confidential ombuds discussion if you are unsure whom to speak with, how to move forward, or how to find peace and closure in a complex or sensitive situation. We’re just one email or phone call away. You can find more information about the AEA ombuds program at AEA Ombuds Team and American Economic Association Ombuds Resource - MWI.

Please also check out our resources page: https://www.mwi.org/university-visitor-resources. It is a curated collection of tools and resources useful for managing workplace and academic concerns and resolving conflicts.