MWI Welcomes Liz Hill as Director of Communications and Development now new
Getting to Know Liz Hill: 10 Quick Questions with MWI’s New Director of Communications & Development
- What’s one way you describe what you do to people at a dinner party?
I’ve spent years as an organizational ombuds, helping people and organizations navigate difficult conversations and messy situations. Now, in my new role, I focus on making those services more visible, through storytelling, partnerships, and outreach, and encouraging organizations to create programs to address conflict before it escalates.
- What drew you to ombuds work in the first place?
I wanted to help people in a non-adversarial way. I had seen how formal processes could be – slow, rigid, or intimidating – and I’ve always been more interested in listening and problem-solving than in arguing a case. Ombuds work offered a way to support people without taking sides.
- You’re joining MWI after years of ombuds practice and leadership. What excites you about this next chapter?
MWI is all about practical, meaningful conflict resolution, and this new role brings together so many of the things I love to do. I get to write, create content, think strategically, build partnerships, and connect people, whether that’s through social media, events, or big-picture planning. I’m excited to amplify the impact of ombuds services, tell great stories about the work, and help grow the field in ways that are thoughtful, creative, and accessible.
- What’s something people are often surprised to learn about you?
I grew up on a horse and cattle farm in Central Massachusetts and spent much of my childhood caring for animals, bailing hay, cleaning stalls, and mowing grass. It taught me the value of hard work and gave me a strong foundation I still carry with me today.
- What’s a piece of advice you come back to again and again?
Not everything needs to be fixed in the moment. Often, people just want to be heard without being rushed to a solution.
- What’s your secret skill in conflict situations?
I connect with people quickly. I’m good at building rapport and creating a sense of trust, even when the conversation is high-stakes or emotionally charged. I think it comes from being genuinely curious and steady when emotions are high.
- What’s something you’re working on getting better at?
Being willing to try new things, even if they flop. I’ve learned that creativity and progress both require a little risk, and letting go of the need for certainty or perfect conditions.
- Favorite icebreaker or meeting energizer?
“Two Truths and a Lie,” especially when people share things from their early jobs or wildest travel stories. You learn so much in five minutes.
- If you could instantly master a skill unrelated to your current job, what would it be?
Playing a musical instrument. I’ve always admired people who can express themselves through music, and I love the idea of learning something completely new and outside my comfort zone.
- What’s one hope you have for the field of dispute resolution in the next five years?
We already know that most people don’t know what an ombuds is, and part of the challenge is that there are different types. In my new role, I’m especially focused on expanding access to organizational ombuds programs that support both the people within an organization and the organization itself. But I also hope, through my continued work with the American Bar Association and across the field, we can raise awareness and increase the number of statewide classical ombudsman programs. While some states have ad hoc or limited-scope programs, only five currently have truly statewide coverage. I want “ombuds” to become a household word, something people understand, trust, and expect from the institutions that serve them.
