Happy Ombuds Day!  

I’ve spent the past few days attending IOA’s Asia Pacific RAC Conference (remotely) where I had the opportunity to hear a keynote from former New Zealand Ombudsman Peter Boshier.

It was fascinating to learn about the tremendous impact he had during his decade of service. At first glance, that might seem expected—after all, he was the national ombudsman with the backing of Parliament. But when he stepped into the role, he shared that the office was seen as ineffective—a place where issues went to die according to some comical YouTube videos. But through commitment to true neutrality, stronger transparency of process, reframing the work as problem-solving, and thoughtful recommendations, he demonstrated the value of the role and reshaped public perception. The results? Utilization of the office doubled.

That got me thinking: what can we learn from our classical ombuds colleagues? Both classical and organizational ombuds have mandates—one legislatively imposed, the other self defined and aligned with business needs—but both are equally subject to political influence, budget constraints, and shifting priorities.  It is clear that all ombuds have to advocate for their role, and demonstrate their impact.  

Fred Wright, current Co-Chair of the International Outreach Committee, describes the role as a “trusted source of insight.” Similarly, the Modern Ombuds Toolkit defines ombuds  as trusted advisors.  You help people navigate the complexities of their organizations while keeping a systemic lens on improvement. In doing so, you strengthen your organizations so they can better fulfill their missions.

This dual focus demands empathy, extraordinary communication, courage, and political savvy—the very skills you demonstrate every day. So, lean into your impact.  Be bold and feel tall, not humble.  Remember the risks that you mitigate, the opportunities you create, and the stakeholders you help feel seen and heard.   You make a difference every single day. You are all rock stars!