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WEF Events Conference Ombuds

An Independent and Confidential Resource to Raise Concerns at WEF Events

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.

Submit a Confidential Message Contact the Ombuds View FAQs

Need to Reach the Conference Ombuds?

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.

Current Onsite Ombuds for the March 23-27, 2026 WEF conference: Caitlan Hendrickson

Email: caitlan-ombuds@mwi.org

Phone: 623-239-2485

Confidential Web Form: Use the form below.

Go to Confidential Form Email Caitlan
Caitlan Hendrickson

How the Ombuds Can Help

  • Talk through a concern or situation privately
  • Offer a listening ear and an impartial perspective
  • Help you think through options
  • Support communication around a difficult interaction
  • Provide information about policies, procedures, and resources
  • Help identify possible next steps without pressure

What Makes the Ombuds Different

Confidential

Conversations are held in confidence, subject to very limited exceptions.

Informal

The ombuds is an off-the-record resource and does not participate in formal investigations.

Impartial

The ombuds does not take sides and works to promote fair process and constructive options.

Independent

The ombuds functions independently and is not part of ordinary management or complaint channels.

When Should I Reach Out?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about how the conference ombuds resource works, what to expect, and how confidentiality is handled.

View FAQs

Upcoming WEF Events with Ombuds Support

  • March 23-27, 2026 – 2026 Utility Management Conference in Charlotte, NC
    Onsite Ombuds: Caitlan Hendrickson
  • May 10-14, 2026 – 2026 Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations in Treatment Technology Conference in Kansas City, MO
  • July 7-11, 2026 – 2026 Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference in Portland, OR
  • September 26-30, 2026 – 99th Annual Technical Exhibition & Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana

Resources

WEF Policies Code of Conduct Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Ombuds Team Members

Caitlan Hendrickson

Caitlan Hendrickson

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.

Contact Caitlan

Jai Calloway

Jai Calloway

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 Hoch

Josh Hoch

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.

Confidential Web Form

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.

Charter and Standards of Practice

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.

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