Ellen Goldstein, MA
Director, Ombuds
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.
Kate Flynn, JD
Associate Ombuds
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
Paula Trejo-Phillips, PsyD
Associate Ombuds
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.
Jonah Pedersen, JD
Ombuds Coordinator
As the Ombuds Coordinator, Jonah Pedersen is the first point of contact for new visitors to the Office of the Ombuds. Jonah welcomes visitors, orients them to the Office’s practices, and schedules appointments. They also implement long-term projects that support the Office in its mission to humanize the experience of working and learning at UCSF.
Before joining the Office of the Ombuds, Jonah practiced law for nearly a decade. They hold a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law and an A.B. in History from Princeton University. They are a member of the International Ombuds Association and the California Bar. Outside of work, Jonah enjoys painting and playing tabletop role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons.