IOA 2026 Conference Schedule
Schedule-At-A-Glance
The IOA Conference Planning Committee is excited to produce an engaging virtual program for #IOA2026. We encourage you to take a moment to review the schedule-at-a-glance and detailed session descriptions. More details to come!
Monday | 13 April
| 8:00 AM – 9:05 AM |
Welcome and Introduction
Opening Keynote
|
| 9:05 AM – 9:10 AM |
Break |
| 9:10 AM – 9:55 PM |
Breakout Session 1
CS 1A:
CS 1B:
CS 1C:
CS 1D:
CS 1E:
|
| 9:55 AM –10:00 AM |
Break |
| 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
Breakout Session 2
CS 2A:
CS 2B:
CS 2C:
CS 2D:
Survey Session:
|
| 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM |
Snack Break
|
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM |
Mini Sessions
|
| Round 1: 11:20 AM – 11:35 AM |
Words That Heal
Indigenous Conflict Perspectives
The Value of Reach Out Initiatives
The "Pervasive Influence" of Change
|
| Round 2: 11:40 AM – 11:55 AM |
Demonstrating ROI and Success of Ombuds Programs: Making the Invisible Visible
A Shared Ombuds Service Model
Confidentiality in Tech-Enable Ombuds Work: Tools and Frameworks
Ombuds Leadership in Crisis: Supporting Your Organization Through Workforce Reduction |
| Round 3: 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM |
No More Excuses: How AI Transforms Ombuds from Reactive Responders to Strategic Assets
Navigating the Dual Roles of the Collateral Ombuds: A Duoethnographic Reflection by Two Faculty Ombuds
Assessing Organizational Readiness for an Ombuds Office
|
| 12:15 PM – 12:20 PM |
Break
|
| 12:20 PM – 1:05 PM |
Breakout Session 3
|
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CS 3A:
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CS 3B:
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CS 3C:
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CS 3D:
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CS 3E:
|
| 1:05 PM – 1:15 PM |
Break
|
| 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM |
Ombuds Stories
|
Tuesday | 14 April
| 8:00 AM |
Welcome
|
| 8:05 AM – 9:05 AM |
Introduction and Mary Rowe Keynote
|
| 9:05 AM – 9:10 AM |
Break
|
| 9:10 AM – 9:55 AM |
Breakout Session 4
CS 4A:
CS 4B:
CS 4C:
CS 4D:
CS 4E:
|
| 9:55 AM – 10:00 AM |
Break
|
| 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
Breakout Session 5
CS 5A:
CS 5B:
CS 5C:
CS 5D:
Research Update (RNA)
|
| 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM |
Snack Break
Discussion Circles
|
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM |
Break
|
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
Introduction and Keynote Presentation 2
|
| 12:30 PM – 12:35 PM |
Break
|
| 12:35 PM – 1:20 PM |
Breakout Session 6
CS 6A:
CS 6B:
CS 6C:
CS 6D:
CS 6E:
|
| 1:20 PM – 1:25 PM |
Break
|
| 1:25 PM – 2:00 PM |
Optional Happy Hour
Optional Affinity Group Breakouts in Gathertown
|
Wednesday | 15 April
|
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
|
Practice Edge
The Practice Edge is intended to raise critical questions related to the edge of practice of organizational ombuds for discussion. This session continues Howard Gadlin’s encouragement to "push the envelope” in a way that challenges us to openly discuss difficult practice issues in a critically supportive manner. This is an opportunity to rethink the settled foundations of ombuds practice. Practice Edge is intended for intermediate and advanced practitioners.
Mentoring Session
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8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
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Closing
|
|
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
|
Social Event Cross-Over with ABA
|
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10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
|
Cross-Over Sessions with ABA
ABA Session 1
Jenn Mahony
ABA Session 2
Liz Hill
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International Ombuds Association