United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 7 June 2018 the appointment of Shireen L. Dodson of the United States as United Nations Ombudsman.
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She will succeed Johnston Barkat to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his commitment and dedicated service to the Organization.Ìý The Secretary-General also wishes to extend his appreciation to James A. Lee, who is currently serving as the Acting United Nations Ombudsman.
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Ms. Dodson brings to the position over thirty years of diverse leadership experience in business, government and non-profit organizations.Ìý She is currently Ombudsman of the US 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.
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Prior to this position, she was Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Civil Rights for the US 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).
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Ms. Dodson holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University.Ìý She is also an International Coach Federation (ICF) certified coach.
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