International Ombuds Association

Advancing the Profession of Organizational Ombuds

Call for Board Nominations

Self-nominations for the 2025-2028 IOA Board of Directors are now being accepted.

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What is IOA?

The International Ombuds Association (IOA) is the professional association committed to championing Organizational Ombuds worldwide. Our members help organizational stakeholders raise patterns and concerns, navigate conflict, and manage change to support highly effective and healthy organizations. IOA sets the standard for excellence by establishing Standards of Practice, a Code of Ethics, and certifying Organizational Ombuds Practitioners (CO-OP®).

We Champion Organizational Ombuds Worldwide through:

Advocacy
Standards of Practice
Code of Ethics
Training
Certification

We Advance the Profession of Organizational Ombuds with:

Professional Development
Technical Assistance
Program Support
Resources
Mentoring
Community

Learn More About IOA

Learn More About Ombuds

Upcoming Events and Trainings

Discover the World of Ombudsing

Unlike many professions, the journey to becoming an organizational ombuds, ombudsperson, or ombudsman does not follow a clearly identified path. The global ombuds community is filled with professionals who come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most of the ombuds in the IOA network have a diverse range of academic credentials and professional experiences. Review the information below to learn more about the process of becoming an ombuds.

How to Become an Ombuds

How to Become a Member

Ombuds Training Opportunities

Take a moment to learn about all of our training opportunities. Whether you are an aspiring ombuds, experienced ombuds, or a non-ombuds looking to learn more about the field, network with peers, or start on ombuds office, we have information to help.

View IOA Trainings

View the IOA Event Calendar

Membership Information

Become a member today and enjoy valuable benefits including access to free IOA live and archived webinars, exclusive news and resources, a members-only Online CommUnity to network and share resources with peers, discounted rates to educational programming, and more!