If you experience any kind of workplace issue and you are not sure what to do or who to talk to, the ombuds team is here for you!
We can help with any workplace issue, including:
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In a confidential, off-the-record meeting, we will listen, explore different options for addressing your concerns, help you navigate relevant organizational resources, and coach you through how to effectively communicate your concerns to others should you choose to do so. We can also help facilitate informal discussions between two or more people when appropriate or work with groups experiencing conflict.
What is an ombuds? The term “ombuds” (pronounced “ahm–buhds”) comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.” The ombuds team is an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource for MacArthur employees. The ombuds team has two ombuds (Ralph Johnson and Jacqueline Villafañe, see bios below) available to work with employees to effectively manage, address, and surface work-related issues. The ombuds team supplements and does not replace formal administrative channels.
FAQs:
For answers to frequently asked questions about the ombuds resource, please see this page: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
About the ombuds team:
Contact one of the ombuds below to discuss your concerns and explore options to move forward.
Jacqueline Villafañe, Psy. D. (jacqueline-ombuds@mwi.org and 916-417-9761) is an outsourced ombuds with MWI and has over twenty years of experience in the areas of executive coaching, leadership, talent, and organization development, conflict resolution, diversity, equity and inclusion, facilitation, and training. She has worked with clients in corporate, non-profit, and government sectors helping individuals, teams, and organizational systems identify learning opportunities to perform at a higher level. She has created national leadership development programs, supervised, and directed staff and programs, and managed large-scale budgets, programs, and initiatives. Serving as a link between leaders and stakeholders; managing change, conflict, and talent, interpreting, and administering responsibilities and tasks, assisting in the resolution of strategic-related challenges, Jacqueline has advised leaders on organizational matters, designed, analyzed, modified, and implemented programs to address program gaps, while ensuring continuous improvement and learning opportunities are generated. In addition to working with executives, managers, and teams in various hierarchies and across international borders, she has helped develop and implement sustainable/flexible problem-resolution programs to increase performance and organization portfolios. In addition to being a Certified Action Learning Coach and trained mediator, Jacqueline has held various board director positions internationally, has been an adjunct professor for The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in the Doctoral International Psychology and Business Psychology degree programs, and faculty for the George Washington University Center of Excellence. She has been published in professional journals and consults frequently in the fields of conflict resolution, diversity in the workplace, leadership development, executive and peer coaching, change management, and action learning. Schedule a time to talk with Jacqueline by sending an email to jacqueline-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 916-417-9761.
Ralph Johnson (ralph-ombuds@mwi.org and 216-408-8143) is an experienced ombuds and trainer with MWI. He served as the America Ombuds for 10 years at McKinsey & Company, a global management consultancy, where he helped colleagues address workplace conflicts, including claims of harassment and/or discrimination, career advancement, and personal challenges. He was an active member of the International Ombuds Association and served as a core faculty member for the Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice course. Ralph began his career at General Motors where he worked as an engineer, manufacturing foreman, and general foreman. He managed several machining and final assembly departments with 44 hourly (UAW) employees under his supervision. He spent most of his career at McKinsey where he was a management consultant, left the firm for three years to head the Cuyahoga (Cleveland) County Welfare Reform Department, then returned to be people leader for McKinsey’s Operations Practice and people/administrative leader for McKinsey’s Social Sector Office, executive coach in McKinsey’s Black Executive Leadership Program, and senior member of the global McKinsey Black Network. After a 26-year career at McKinsey, he recently served two years as CEO of Breakthrough Public Schools, a network of public charter schools educating over 3,000 elementary students in Cleveland. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, a BS in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University, and a BS in Business Administration from Aquinas College. Schedule a time to talk with Ralph by sending an email to ralph-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 216-408-8143.
An ombuds team member will get back to you within one business day.
The ombuds resource was established under a charter approved by MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey. A copy of that charter can be found here. The charter incorporates by reference the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and requires that the MacArthur Ombuds Resource adhere to the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The charter, as well as the IOA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, contain important information about the MacArthur Foundation Ombuds Resource and the manner in which it functions.
Due to the independent, impartial, informal, and confidential nature of the ombuds function, communication with an ombuds team member does not constitute formal notice to the MacArthur Foundation.
