1: First results of the European Erasmus+ project BRAVIOO. Cooperation between European University Ombudsmen (UC3M and UBI) with several universities in Argentina (UNC, UNNE), Bolivia (UTEPSA, UNIVALLE), Chile (UAI, UFRO) and Honduras (UNAH, UPNFM).
Introduction to Erasmus+ call. Bravioo, as a project to develop cooperation between European University Ombudsmen and higher education entities from several Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Honduras) will involve a shared experience between the actors of the project, in order to delve deeper into the rights university communities, the structures necessary to defend them and the implementation of units to support actions in defense of the members of the university communities, with special attention to the group of students, which is the one that generates the most incidents, according to experience that exists in the University Ombudsmen's Offices.
Speaker:
Emilio Olías Ruiz: Emilio Olías Ruiz is Ombudsperson (since 2018) and Professor on Electronic Technology (since 1996) in the Department of Electronic Technology at the Carlos III University of Madrid. He obtained is PhD in Industrial Engineering (1983) from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, where he graduated in Industrial Engineering (1981).
2a: Social Security at Universities as a Sustainable Result of the Ombudsperson’s Job
Every individual case reaching the Ombudsperson embodies significant potential for transformative change at three levels: the individual, their work or study environment, and the university system. We aim to initiate progress in each case by meticulously uncovering and harnessing this potential. This contribution will explore how effectively managing these cases can enhance the university system's safety and integrity, thus ensuring the change potential is deeply extracted and utilized.
Speakers:
Kateřina Šámalová: university ombudsperson responsible for dealing with individual cases, as well as for proposing, creating and implementing system measures and cultivating the broad team of social security affairs at the Charles University
Monika Čajko Eibicht: Coordinator in the Ombudsperson's Office at Charles University, supports the Ombudswoman and contributes to team efforts in social security affairs, fostering a collaborative and supportive university community.
2b: POST-CARE and healing: what, when, why and how? The experience from Academy of Fine Arts Prague
The work of ombudspersons and similar positions at the university is often associated with intervention in negative phenomena. Stopping it and preventing next unethical behavior. But how to make such an intervention really effective? How to cultivate the internal culture and change the behavior of the community as well as individuals? And is it effective enough? The session will focus on these overlapping issues and will further address issues of post-care. We will look in detail at the healing process, what it should look like and what are its accelerators and inhibitors
Speaker:
Klára Čmolíková Cozlová: As a head of the Gender Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Unit (GRID) Klara is responsible for setting the care process about the GBV, bullying and all overmentioned topic. Her duties are covering strategic and systematic gender mainstreaming into the University agenda. Also she is responsible for Gender Equality Plan and it´s implementation, but also for direct indivdual work. It means providing intervention, consultation, counselling, facilitation, mediation connected with the topic of wellbeing on Academy of Fine Arts (including provide external help of psychologists, social workers, therapeutists, lawyers, career counsellors etc. in cases needed). All this in sake of management of the negative phenomena at the Unviersity.
3a: Ombudsperson and students’ associations: peers at 100%? A case study in Portugal
At 2023 Portuguese Network of Student Ombudsmen meeting, that took place during 2 days in November, ombudpersons and student´associations, all around Portugal, worked together discussion several issues. The conclusions will be presented in this session. As this was the first time that a national meeting was held with these interlocutors, it was possible not only to discuss the various topics chosen (student participation in governance, quality of life on university campuses, best practices to adopt...) but still expose, in a transparent and assertive way, what is expected of each other to achieve effective collaboration.
Speakers:
Rosa Maria Vasconcelos: The Student Ombudsperson is an independent entity created at the University of Minho, with the mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of students in the context of university life.
The activity of this entity covers all the organs, services and members of the University as well as the Schools/Institutes and the Welfare Services. This enjoys full autonomy in relation to these bodies. This is governed by the principles of neutrality and confidentiality.
The Ombudsperson examines the complaints, submissions or claims made by students against acts or omissions of the University’s bodies and services. He/she acts as a mediator and suggests solutions. He/she draws up reports to prevent or remedy unfair or irregular situations
Berta Batista: ntegrating the Portuguese higher education community, which shares cultures, values and fundamental principles of the Universal Charter of Human Rights and the rule of law, RPE's main objective is to be a stable and permanent forum, which allows networking, transfer and the exchange of knowledge, information and experiences related to Student Providers, as well as the defense of students' rights within the space of Higher Education Institutions. Berta Batista is the president of Consultant Board.
3b: Ombuds´ contribution to the transparent governance procedures in higher education institutions: some examples from Spain & Portugal
Building on our experience as Ombudspersons from different universities in Spain and Portugal, both public and private, we will reflect on how our daily practice contributes to the transparency of governance procedures within our institutions, especially regarding those cases in which the rights of students (or other members of the university community) may have been affected and the intervention of the Ombudsperson has contributed to a better balance of the situation.
Speakers:
Mª Elena Gómez: Dr. Mª Elena Gómez is Ombudsperson (Defensora Universitaria) at Universidad Europea de Madrid since September 2022.
Sara Sousa: Dr. Sara Sousa is, since February 2022, the Ombud (Provedora do Estudante) at UniversidadeEuropeia.
Ángel Rodríguez: Dr. Ángel Rodríguez is, since November 2018, the Ombud (Defensor Universitario) at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
4: Inclusive Excellence and Conflict Transformation: The Ombudsperson's Role in Fostering Well-Being and Belonging in Higher Education
This presentation will explore the critical role of ombudspersons in promoting inclusive excellence and managing conflicts within higher education. Drawing from current research and practical experiences in DEI, the session will offer insights into practical strategies for conflict transformation and interpersonal communication. The focus will be on how these strategies can support equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly balancing visitor needs with institutional requirements.
Speaker:
Diedrick Graham: Vice President of Culture and Strategy. Expert in inclusive excellence, conflict transformation, and DEI strategies.
5: Listening in the practice of the Ombudsperson’s work
An important part of the ombudsperson's mission is to listen to others. The sense of hearing is often overlooked and disregarded. The Ombudsperson needs to hear to listen. True listening – a purposeful, deep, active, empathetic, and transformative act – is at the core of the ombudsperson's work. Byung-Chul Han, a Korean-German philosopher, writes in his book 'The Expulsion of the Other' (Polity, 2018) that in times when humankind increasingly loses the ability to listen, true listeners are much sought after: 'People go to the listener because there is hardly anyone else left who will listen to the Other' (p. 70).
Speaker:
Jan Galkowski: Academic ombudsperson
6a: To ‘say what needs to be said’ while maintaining collaborative relationships?
Providing better information and reasoning for decisions made can be one ‘source’ of power for students. Universities these days across the world offer a myriad of support services for students, but how well do they address the power imbalance that almost always exists when students question, challenge or indeed complain about decisions made? The presentation will highlight some of the approaches I use to ensure students’ concerns are listened to, properly considered and where possible, better reasons provided for final decisions made. The aim is to share my experiences as a Student Ombudsman and support colleagues in similar roles by stimulating discussion on how best to address power imbalances within universities.
Speaker:
Franco Parrella: My role as Student Ombud is to act independently and impartially as an ‘Advocate for Fairness’, not the University, nor an individual, per se. I cannot override a decision of the University. I can, however, make recommendations regarding improvements to the University’s practices, policy or procedures if I believe they may be negatively impacting on students. I can also ask the University to reconsider its position in some circumstances and/or make suggestions to try to conciliate/resolve matters. I also report back on trends and ongoing challenges and systemic issues that may negatively impact on students.
6b: Democracy and the Rule of Law? The Ombuds and University Codes of Conduct
What is a code of conduct, what does it do for our institutions, and how does it impact the work of an ombuds? This session will engage these questions from two perspectives. Codes of conduct are a part of the fabric of higher education in the United States and govern everything from student behavior to responses to sexual harassment. Codes of conduct are relatively new in Germany, with some ombuds offices aiding in their development. This session will provide an overview of the processes in these two countries, and an opportunity for participants to share their experiences.
Speakers:
Ryan Smith: Ryan Smith currently serves as the Assistant University Ombudsperson at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan in the United States. In this role, he works with students and other members of the university community as they navigate conflict and complex issues, helping to explore options and pathways for resolution.
Ursula Meiser: Ursula Meiser is the Ombudsperson for Teaching and Doctoral Degree Studies at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. She is an impartial and strictly confidential contact person who lends her support to all students and faculty. She advises the university on issues relating to the improvement of quality of teaching and study conditions, and topics like diversity, discrimination and the misuse of power.
7: The Ombud’s Delicate Use of Soft Power/Moral Suasion: Transformation over Co-option
In the 1980s Joseph Nye coined the term “soft power” as a form of diplomacy to improve international relations. This theory focuses on using persuasion rather than hard authoritarian power and competition to cause others to change in the manner desired. Is this a form of co-option or can it be used ethically in the ombuds world? Indeed, many ombuds speak of using soft power tools and techniques in their work. We will examine what are necessary ombuds’ traits/practices to use soft power, ensuring that power dynamics are levelled by the influence of the ombuds rather than coopted to ensure compliance with those in power.
Speakers:
Natalie Sharpe: Director of the Office of the Student Ombuds, University of Alberta
Josef Leidenfrost: ENOHE Presidential Advisor, Former Student Ombudsman, Austria
8: “verba volant scriptae manent”: Three insights on how (and for whom and how often) to write ombuds reports
Direct reporting in situ (momentarily, orally) and indirect report writing ex situ (staggered, in written form) are -according top the respective issues- two of the essentials / essential techniques of ombuds offices within improvement management - also in higher education institutions. The bigger an institution is the more diverse the structure of ombuds activities might be, hence there are one-person offices here and ten persons (or more) there. They are reporting internally, or to the general public, even to the parliament (as in Austria). As Jose Manuel Bayod y Bayod, honorary member of ENOHE, once put it the main principle of ombudspeople in their daily work should be “As much talking as possible, as little writing as necessary”. The speakers will develop the main principles of their work in connection with examples of daily / monthly / yearly practices in their jobs, as, according to a Latin saying, see above: words are flying, writings are remaining. Frequency and channelling of reports will be tackled with. Among other issues confidentiality for the greater public versus identifiability of yet remaining anonymous cases after publication will be dealt with. A matrix of “the typical report”, probably applicable for everybody, will be discussed.
Three colleagues from three different countries and organizational backgrounds will describe their situations and discuss their working methods with the panel participants.
Speakers:
Anna-Katharina Rothwangl: ombudswoman
Anna Cybulko: ombudswoman
Emilio Olias Ruiz: defensor
Second Plenary: Get involved in governance!
Now that ENOHE has become a formal association, we have expanded our governance structure. We reported on this at the General Assembly yesterday. In today’s plenary session, we will have more time to talk about our new committee structure and our hopes for the future, and we hope to interest members in coming forward to join those groups. Membership of a committee or task group provides valuable professional development experience in its own right, as well as the opportunity to network more closely with colleagues and to influence how your association develops.
9: Looking after ourselves: relaxation and resilience in the face of adversity
The role of the ombudsperson is a difficult and often solitary one. On a daily basis, we are called on to assist students or staff who are facing difficult situations. Their anger or distress can often impinge on us and we carry it with us long after the meeting itself is over. This active and participative morning workshop session covers two techniques – yoga, and the walking of a labyrinth - which may enable us to let go of the stress we have absorbed and help us develop resilience in coping with our demanding roles.
Speakers:
Ursula Meiser: Ursula is the Ombudsperson for Teaching and Doctoral Degree Studies at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. She is an impartial and strictly confidential contact person who lends her support to all students and faculty.
Jean Grier: Jean is currently President of ENOHE. She retired from the University of Edinburgh in 2021, having spent the last 11 years of her career there in the role, effectively, of ‘campus ombuds’, developing policies and handling complaints from students, staff and members of the public.
10: Democracy in higher education: How students perceive it, and what ombudspersons can contribute to develop the democratic culture in the university.
This session addresses the issue of (perceived) student involvement in higher education governance.
Student unions represent student interests, and students´ representatives participate in decision-making processes within academic bodies. Still, it remains unclear to what extent students actually exercise a significant impact on decision making in higher education and if students perceive their participation as effective.
This session starts with a literature review and a presentation of data generated through an empirical study conducted among student representatives at Portuguese and Austrian universities. The session moves on towards a discussion, aiming to collect insights on student empowerment and the role of the ombudsperson in shaping the organizational culture.
Speakers:
Doris Kiendl: Chairperson of the Institute of International Management and Entrepreneurship @ FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Professor of International Law, Expert on Accreditation of Universities; involved in many Erasmus+ projects on Capacity Building in Higher Education in Latin America and Asia.
Jorge A. Ribeiro Pereira: Board Member
Lothar Henry Fickert: Ombusperson for all faculties (approx. 16 500 students)
Afonso Gomes: Student Ombudsman
11: Reconceptualising Ombuds Practice to Improve Mental Health Through Meaning Mindset Theory (MMT), the Stoic Dichotomy of Control, and the EAR (Empathy, Attention and Respect) Approach
Ombuds practice was conceptualised early on as an avenue for primary prevention or early intervention approach for psychological disorders (Wolkon & Moriwaki, 1977). This is a critical perspective as, at any given point in time, 1 in 5 people suffer from a diagnosable mental illness (American Psychiatric Association, 2024). Emphasising mental health and well-being in ombuds practice helps to create an environment where solutions are found informally and people act in a pro-active manner before formal complaints are necessary and before conflicts lead to undesirable behaviours (Johnson, 2022). Learning from Meaning Mindset Theory, the Stoic dichotomy of control, and Bill Eddy’s EAR (Empathy, Attention, and Respect) approach, ombuds can reconceptualise their approach to better address the mental health needs of their organisation. This presentation will be workshop-based teaching concrete methods that ombuds can use in their practice.
Speakers:
Brent Epperson: I simultaneously serve as ombuds (part-time) at the University of Luxembourg and as an Assistant Professor of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa.
Laura Armstrong: I serve as an Associate Professor at Saint Paul University and a Clinical Psychologist in private practice.
12: Ombuds and balancing dynamics of power
Lies Poesiat has worked as an ombudsman at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam since 2007 till her retirement May 1st 2024. Prior to this, she held the position of ombudsman at the University of Amsterdam. Lies Poesiat served on the steering committee for the European Network for Ombuds in Higher Education (ENOHE) for many years, is co-founder and former chair of the Dutch Association of Higher Education Ombudsmen (VOHO) and gives lectures about her work both nationally and internationally. Her international guide in English on ombudswerk appeared in 2022, e-book in 2023.
Speaker: Lies Poesiat
13a: A victim/survivor-centred/trauma-centred approach in handling cases of gender-based violence in Higher Education Institutions’ ombuds practice
Gender-based violence is an ongoing challenge for university ombudspersons. The survey conducted by UniSAFE in 2022–2023, with over 42,000 responses from European higher education staff and students, found that almost two in three respondents (58%) had experienced gender-based violence and almost one in three had experienced sexual harassment at their institutions. It is also clear from the survey results that GBV must be viewed through the prism of intersectionality as respondents from minoritised groups (based on gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability) were more likely to disclose having experienced gender-based violence. The study-related consequences as well as the impact on health is vast. Victims of gender-based violence report higher rates of missed classes, disengagement from fellow students and even opting out of university altogether. At the same time, only 7 % of students report their experience, due to lack of trust in their institution willingness to act and fear of retaliation. The issue of GBV needs to be addressed, and ombudspersons can make an important contribution. The panel aims to investigate, how can the victim/survivor-centred/trauma-centred approach, known from social work, can be utilized in the practice of ombudspersons in Higher Educatinon Institutions.
Speakers: Zuzana Andreská, Jorge António Ribeiro Pereira, Pelin Zenginoğlu, Michaela Antonín Malaníková
13b: (To be confirmed)
Speaker: Josari Fernanda Mendoza Vazquez
14a: Peacebuilding and peaceful conflict resolution in the university environment
Peacebuilding and peaceful conflict resolution in the university environment
The objective of peace culture is not to eliminate conflicts, their consequences and the effects of controversies, but rather to provide tools for more constructive and assertive conflict management; The construction of peace in the daily environment and its achievement and promotion through the resolution of controversies through alternative means is a good incentive that balances assertiveness in the management of conflicts. And the role that the Rights Defenders play in university settings and environments is fundamental for these purposes.
Speaker:
Dante Jaime Haro Reyes: Ombusperson of the University of Guadalajara, Defender of university rights, Coordinator of the Ibero-American Network of University Rights
14b: How to deal with irresolvable disagreement in a rational way: the philosophical debate about disagreement and its importance for ombuds
I argue that there are three different kinds of disagreements: resolvable, faultless, and deep disagreements. Only resolvable disagreements can be resolved, faultless and deep disagreements evade solutions in which the disagreement disappears. Recognizing that, even in an ideal world, not all disagreements can be resolved speaks in favor of a democratic approach to conflict resolution that stresses the importance of a tolerant and open-minded attitude. This knowledge of disagreement can be helpful to ombuds, because it helps to (1) remain impartial and (2) realize that finding creative ways to deal with disagreements is not just pragmatically but also theoretically necessary.
Speaker:
Markus Seethaler: Ombuds
Third plenary: Going from strength to strength!
After 20 years, ENOHE has developed from a handful of enthusiastic volunteers into a formal association. It is time we took stock of where we are – and where we want to be in the years ahead. Indeed, one of the expectations of our 2021-2025 strategic plan was a full review of ENOHE.
In this vital workshop session, we will invite members (working in small groups) to carry out a SWOT analysis of ENOHE – what are our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats?
…And where should we direct our energies over the coming few years? We will discuss thoughts about our priorities, and develop some SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based) to enable us to deliver them.”
15: Stand in someone's shoes
The proverb 'Stand in someone's shoes' expresses that those who have not experienced hardships cannot fully understand those who have. This workshop aims to bring to life the experiences of people who are different in some way and not part of the mainstream. It does so through the stories and reactions of specific individuals, as well as through social media and other sources.
Speakers:
Lucie Tesařová: Ombudsperson - investigating complaints from students, academic staff and other university employees to protect rights affecting the scope of UJEP, providing assistance and advice to parties to conflict, developing opinions and recommendations in resolving specific cases, implementing the Equal Opportunities Plan (GEP) at UJEP, coordinating, methodological, preventive activities in the field of rights protection.
Hana Galiová: Coordinator of the implementation of the Equal Opportunities Plan (GEP) at UJEP, communication with faculties, participates in the project "Prevention of gender-based violence in the working environment of public HEIs and universities in the Czech Republic". Research Centre, Faculty of Social and Economic Studies UJEP.
16: The Ombuds Profession and its Grand Design: Voices from our Partners (roundtable)
With his book “Portugal e o Futuro” / “Portugal and the Future”, published in 1974, António Sebastião Ribeiro de Spínola, a decisive figure in Portugal’s democratization process in the 1970s, helped to kick off political and societal changes for his country. In commemoration of him and appreciation of this book title and the impact which the book had there are representatives from countries connected with ENOHE invited to a round table to discuss common future issues for ombuds offices around the world. In the spirit of the “León Declaration” of 2019, the “Prague Manifesto” of 2023 and actually also of regulations within the ENOHE statutes the association is requested to keep a constant dialogue with networks and stakeholders alike. The association has therefore set up a special international relations committee, currently presided by the immediate past president Josef Leidenfrost. The aims, also included in the ENOHE Five Years Strategic Plan 2021-2025, are joint events in cyberspace like webinars, publications like yearbooks and large-scaled get-togethers like (joint) conferences and symposia.
Speakers:
Josef Leidenfrost: presidential advisor
Jean Grier: ENOHE president
Guadalupe Barrena: Secretary General of REDDU
Carolyn Brandon: President of ACCUO
17: Prepared for the worst: How (if possible) to prevent extreme campus violence
Extreme acts of violence on campuses, including mass shootings, as recently occurred at the University of Nevada in the U.S. and at Charles University in Prague, are increasingly topics of concern in the world of academia. The phenomena are difficult (some would say nearly impossible) to explain. Some observers blame broader societal contexts of brutalization through open access to media violence, combined with self-adulation online. Hand in hand, other observers focus on easy accessibility to weapons and lax gun control in some countries. Student populations are very diverse and most higher education institutions aim explicitly to be inclusive. There are generally no psychiatric check-ups to identify violent tendencies or personality disorders for students and staff who enter higher education systems. There are also few security controls to participate in campus communities during the course of academic lives. Refined alert systems are often not in place, hence large campus communities are vulnerable to people suffering from severe psychological disturbances who may need treatment, and other individuals with violent motivations. Individual, institutional, and community factors, group processes, as well as public policy and societal influences can have impacts on campus life and students. The speakers (all ombudspersons) will describe their respective recent experiences in Las Vegas and in Prague where recent tragedies took place. Another ombuds will provide perspective on efforts to ensure safety on campuses in Canada and Luxembourg to support people at risk.
Speakers:
Brent Epperson: ombudsman
Pavla Špondrová: ombudswoman at the faculty of philosophy
David Schwartz: ombudsperson
18: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME: from Rome towards a (European) legal framework
In the Rome Kommuniqué 2020 the importance of safeguarding student rights through legislation was recognized. The ministers responsible committed themselves to empowering ombudspersons in higher education systems and to promote cooperation with ENOHE. The importance of institutions dedicated to mediation and conflict resolution is further described in the Annex II (Guidelines 5) of the Kommuniqué. This panel will analyse this commitment in terms of its implementation, possible challenges, and benefits. The need for a legal basis for the work of ombuds in higher education will also be discussed.
Speaker:
Anna-Katharina Rothwangl: Ombuds
19: Do ombuds investigations have the potential to improve graduate supervision?
Ombuds offices, student counselling centres, department administrators, faculties of graduate studies, and other university offices dedicate extensive resources to managing grad school supervisory issues. While various active listening and dispute resolution strategies are employed by these offices to resolve (or prevent) conflict between grad students and supervisors, the question is whether ombuds investigations are a potentially underutilised strategy for improving graduate experiences? Can an ombuds investigation help to improve graduate supervision? What are some of the challenges of investigating graduate supervisory issues? (e.g., retaliation; power imbalances, etc). If the issues involve questions of equity, diversity, and inclusion, does that make a difference for an ombuds investigation?
Speakers:
Brent Epperson: I simultaneously serve as ombudsman (part-time) at the University of Luxembourg and as an Assistant Professor of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University (Ottawa).
Heather McGhee Peggs: Heather McGhee Peggs is Manager, Complaint Services - Patient Ombudsman, in Ontario, Canada, author of Supervising Conflict: A Guide for Faculty (UTP, 2023) and the trainer for an on-demand online course When grad things happen: Conflict management for Faculty (www.supervisingconflict.com).
Julie Boncompain: With nearly 20 years of practice in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Julie Boncompain is a lawyer, mediator, and the Protector of rights (ombudsperson) at Polytechnique Montréal & Mila - Quebec Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Quebec, Canada.
20: Ombudspersons' institutions throughout European Higher Education Area. Presentation and panel discussion of data analysis focusing on the existence and ways of implementing the (student) ombudspersons’ office in EHEA countries
The concept of ombudsperson is widespread within the EHEA (European Higher Education Area) and other places of the world. The mission of such institutions could vary among countries and regions, and the institutionalization can happen at different levels (ministerial, HEI, faculty, other). In ENOHE 2017 study different models of ombuds offices in Higher Education Systems were identified. Nevertheless, 7 years have passed and, meanwhile, many other, predominantly central and eastern European countries have adopted these institutions.
The aim of this session is to introduce an overview of the ombuds models in EHEA, based on our own research, focused on all EHEA countries. We have identified, so far, 28 out of 48 countries within EHEA which have ombuds offices who also take care of students’ matters. At least 8 among those 28 countries have ombuds ensured by HE Law (e.g. Austria, Portugal). We identified different ways of ombuds implementation EHEA countries and we would like to offer models for better understanding of relation between context (legislation, the role of student union, tradition of complaint handling processes etc.) and specific setting of ombuds position.
We will invite other speakers representing different European regions and different models of ombuds offices. The final discussion will focus on understanding how the specific setting of ombuds work and recent developments relate to democracy and diversity in higher education.
Speakers:
Jaroslav Šotola: Faculty Ombudsman, Head of the Czech school ombuds platform
Jorge António Ribeiro Pereira: Board Member