Secretary-General appoints Shireen L. Dodson of United States as United Nations Ombudsman

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Shireen L. Dodson of the United States as United Nations Ombudsman.

She will succeed Johnston Barkat to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his commitment and dedicated service to the Organization.  The Secretary‑General also wishes to extend his appreciation to James A. Lee, who is currently serving as the Acting United Nations Ombudsman.

Ms. Dodson brings to the position over 30 years of diverse leadership experience in business, government and non-profit organizations.  She is currently Ombudsman of the United States State Department, a position she assumed in 2010 and in which she provides dispute resolution, coaching, change management and leadership training for nearly 75,000 people around the world.

Prior to this position, she was Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Civil Rights for the United States State Department (2006-2010), City Museum Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of The Historical Society of Washington (2004), Interim Director of the Non-profit Roundtable of Greater Washington (2001-2002), Senior Strategist, Netsuation Division of Starpoint Solutions (2000-2001), Associate Director for Administration, Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (1995‑2000), Associate Director for Administration and Planning, The National African-American Museum Project, Smithsonian Institution (1992-1995), and Comptroller, Smithsonian Institution (1986-1992).

Ms. Dodson holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration from Morgan State University.  She is also an International Coach Federation certified coach.