Advocates for Fair Treatment: Ombuds Role on DEI Issues

11 February 2021 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Pacific)

Webinar Access:

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About the Webinar:

This webinar will provide DEI-focused resources to help ombuds fully understand and optimize their DEI role within their organizations. Although a fully virtual experience, this webinar aims at offering opportunities for engagement through both introspection and participation to assess DEI knowledge and awareness.

In part two, presenters will discuss dilemmas and propose processes related to identifying and tracking DEI concerns and conducting systems assessments related to DEI. In part three, participants will explore the ombuds role and responsibility in collaborating with other resources in their organization in furtherance of DEI principles and action. 

This webinar will provide DEI focused resources to help ombuds: 

• Assess their individual awareness of DEI key terms
• Conduct Systems Assessments
• Collaborate with other resources in their organization

Presenters:

Alicia Booker
Ombudsperson, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alicia Booker is also a Ph.D. candidate at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Her dissertation and research focus on the study of conflict analysis in corporate and academic settings. Alicia has a passion for research and has earned a qualitative research graduate certificate at NSU as well. Her primary interest is in the advancement of the organizational and academic ombudsman.

Alicia earned her bachelor of arts in journalism and Master of Arts in dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University. She also received graduate certificates in conflict coaching, executive coaching, and advanced training on workplace collaboration in conflict management. Alicia is also the Founder and CEO of Corporate Confidence a ADR consulting firm for individuals, groups, and small businesses.

Jai McBride-Calloway
Founder & Principal Consultant, J. Calloway Consultants, LLC.

Jai has spent over ten years working and studying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) framework, and conflict resolution methodology. Jai previously served as Client Service & Diversity Manager for UBS Financial Services, and Senior Compliance officer at Atlas Air prior to her most recent role as Corporate Ombuds for Halliburton Oil Services. Jai presently devotes her time fully to her consultancy practice, where her service areas include: contract ombuds services, organizational development, and DEI program design. Jai holds a BS in Sociology, a MS in Public Administration, JD, and a second Masters in Dispute Resolution with a degree focus in cross-cultural and organizational conflict. Jai’s approach to the practice of ombuds work integrates collaborative relationship building, conflict resolution, and DEI methodology into the overall business goals of an organization.

Brett Hathaway Harris
Ombuds & Ombuds Program Director, University of Oregon

Brett Hathaway Harris has served as the ombuds and ombuds program director at the University of Oregon since 2016. Brett previously established the University of Mississippi’s first ombuds program and served as its inaugural ombuds. Before working as an organizational ombuds, Brett was a court mediation director and ran a private dispute resolution practice focusing on workplace dispute resolution. Brett holds a J.D. with a degree emphasis in Native American law and worked in employment law, high-conflict custody/family law, and Native American law before transitioning to ombuds and dispute resolution work. In the ombuds field, Brett’s primary areas of interest include organizational effectiveness and D/E/I work as it relates to ombuds services.