Meet the Staff

Our office includes Director and Ombudsperson Sara Thacker and Assistant Ombudsperson Shatika Ricketts. When contacting our office, an ombudsperson will assist you in answering questions about our services and standards of practice, conducting intake, providing conflict coaching, making referrals, and scheduling appointments. The Ombudsperson then meets with employees to listen to their concerns, problem-solve, and explore a range of options that help facilitate resolution.

Meet the Staff

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Sara Thacker, Director & Ombudsperson

Sara Thacker, Director & Ombudsperson (she/her)

Sara Thacker is the Director of the Staff Ombuds Office at the University of California, Berkeley. Sara holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law where she served as Business Manager for the Journal of Gender, Race and Justice. She also has a LL.M. in conflict resolution from Georgetown University Law Center and a certificate in Brain-Based Coaching from the NeuroLeadership Institute. Sara is a self-described “recovered attorney” having found more...

Shatika Ricketts, Assistant Ombudsperson

Shatika Ricketts, Assistant Ombudsperson (she, her)

Shatika Ricketts is the Assistant Ompbudsperson of the Staff Ombuds Office at the University California, Berkeley. Shatika holds Master of Science in Conflict Management & Peacebuilding from Kennesaw State University and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fisk University. Prior to coming to Berkeley, Shatika worked for seven years as a Dispute Analyst in the banking industry where she provided informal dispute resolution support, confidential case management, and gained...