Shadella Davis

Shadella Davis is the Smithsonian ombuds (formally known as ombudsman). As ombuds, she serves as a neutral third party to whom employees, supervisors, and affiliated staff can bring any work-related problem, concern, or complaint that cannot be resolved through normal channels. She respects confidentiality, listens to the problem, and discusses steps to help reach a fair resolution. 

Davis is a skilled negotiator, trained mediator, and member of the International Ombudsman Association. In her role, she functions as a facilitator, a sounding board, a neutral voice, an impartial ear, and a confidential advisor. 

Davis has held several significant positions within the dispute resolution field over her more than 25 years with the Smithsonian. Throughout, she has honed her skills in developing and implementing effective strategies to resolve disputes. Before assuming the ombuds role in 2021, she managed the Smithsonian's Informal EEO Complaints Program in the Office of Equal Employment and Supplier Diversity. She was a subject-matter expert advising Smithsonian senior executives and working closely with attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, labor and employee relations colleagues, previous Smithsonian ombuds staff, and the SI Civil Program Manager. She has served a wide range of employees and affiliated persons, applicants for employment, contractors, and external complainant representatives.