Ellen Goldstein, MA, CO-OP has served as the Director of the Office of the Ombuds since 2020 after 8 years of providing Ombuds services at UCSF. Ellen earned her Master’s degree in Social Psychology, trained as a volunteer mediator in 2007, and is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner. She has been at UCSF since 1988, starting with a focus on collaborations and linking research to community and governmental partners at the AIDS Health Project and the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies. In 1993, Ellen then helped launch and then managed the Community Engagement and Health Policy Program of the Clinical & Translational Science Institute. With a background as a program manager, researcher, and course lecturer, Ellen brings a commitment to individual coaching, facilitation and bridging the gap between diverse stakeholders. Her work includes helping individuals and teams navigate challenging situations by building or restoring trust and exploring options that meet people’s goals for moving forward.

Throughout her career, Kate has worked from the core belief that a neutral professional can work informally and effectively to support people and groups to navigate their conflicts, develop their options and reach mutual understandings. She earned a J.D. from the University of California, Davis and is a member of the California State Bar. For over 20 years, Kate was a member of a San Francisco mediation firm. She has also worked as a Bay Area child and family team facilitator for mental health treatment programs, juvenile dependency and special education teams. Most recently, she served as the Juvenile Welfare Organizational Ombuds for the Santa Clara County Office of Mediation and Ombuds Services. Kate is a co-author of the Rutter Group California Practice Guide for Alternative Dispute Resolution. She has designed curriculum and trained professionals in conflict resolution including negotiation, mediation and facilitation skills. Kate completed the Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice training through the International Ombuds Association in 2018

Misty specializes in working with multicultural faculty, staff, students, and trainees to develop creative solutions for complex problems, while helping them increase confidence and leverage strengths. She brings 20 years of experience leading and implementing recruitment, talent development and diversity initiatives in the UC system, including serving as Chief of Staff for the UCSF Vice Chancellor's Office of Diversity and Outreach, Program Manager for UCSF Office of Academic Affairs, and Career and Leadership Coach for UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Misty is a Certified Coach, Certified Mediator, and completed Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice training with the International Ombuds Association. She holds a MA in Psychology from William James College and a BA in Theater Arts Performance from San Francisco State University. Her multidisciplinary background and unique life experiences allow her to authentically connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Paula Trejo-Phillips brings organizational consultation, coaching and facilitation experience with individuals, teams and departments from her previous position as Staff Counselor, Organizational Consultant and Wellness Coordinator in the UCSF Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.  She has worked with the supervisors and managers of individuals, teams, and departments using organizational focused interventions across a wide range of UCSF campus and UCSF Health institutional settings.  Paula’s commitment is to help individuals and groups navigate through sensitive situations with resolutions grounded in fairness, equity and respect.  Paula has a broad depth and breadth of UC experience having worked at UC Berkeley and the UC Office of the President. Paula is a member of the International Ombuds Association. She also has previous experience in the biotech and medical device fields in the areas of benefits, human resources and talent acquisition.  She graduated from UC Berkeley and earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and completed both her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training at UCSF.

Elin joined the office in 2017 as a Program Coordinator. She provides program and administrative support for the department and is often the first point of contact for visitors to the office.