Jennifer Champney’s history in conflict resolution is part of what makes her ideal as the new ombuds for the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Champney, who goes by Anne, comes to DLIFLC from Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, working with Fleet and Family in suicide prevention. Before that, she worked as an ombuds for wounded veterans.
Jennifer Champney says she is naturally one of those people that everyone talks to.
“I have a sign written in indelible ink on my forehead that says, ‘I care, please talk to me.’ It apparently glows and sends out bat signals,” she says with a laugh. Champney, who goes by her middle name, Anne, is okay with that.
“I say, ‘Well, let’s mediate, let’s talk about it. How can we resolve this?’”
Champney’s history in conflict resolution is part of what makes her ideal as the new Ombuds for the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Her job is to help people feel like they have someone to talk to and who will listen to them without bias when feel they are unable to communicate effectively with a co-worker, a supervisor, or someone they supervise. The DLIFLC Ombuds will help all solve interpersonal issues at the lowest level.
“We want the Ombuds to be a recourse for people in the workplace,” said Steve Collins, Chief of Staff for DLIFLC. “The Ombuds position does not substitute for or supplant Equal Employment Office or the Inspector General.” Rather, Champney’s role is to be an impartial person who provides an independent, confidential and informal avenue for anyone struggling with discord in their office.
“Often, just increasing communication and being able to see an issue from another person’s perspective can solve a great many problems in the workplace,” Collins said. “We are very happy to have Anne join our team.”
Most people view conflict as a bad thing, Champney says, but she sees it another way.
“There’s so many different ways to change and grow and learn and you can’t do any of that without conflict. Whether that’s conflict within yourself or conflict with others,” she said, “I only see it as a way to grow and move forward.”
Champney, who comes to DLIFLC from Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, working with Fleet and Family in suicide prevention. Before that, she worked as an ombuds for wounded veterans. Born and raised in San Jose, Champney is thrilled to return to her home state to work with DLIFLC in a profession she loves.
