Shireen L. Dodson, United Nations Ombudsman

Ms. Dodson brings to the position over thirty years of diverse leadership experience in business, government and non-profit organizations. Prior to this appointment, she was the first full-time Ombudsman of the State Department of the United States, a position that she assumed in 2010 and in which she provided dispute resolution, coaching, change-management and leadership training for nearly 75,000 people around the world.

Between 2006 and 2010, she was Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Civil Rights for the State Department of the United States. In 2004, she was the City Museum Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of The Historical Society of Washington. She also served as Interim Director of the Non-profit Roundtable of Greater Washington (2001-2002), Senior Strategist, Netsuite 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 for 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 (ICF) certified coach.