Biographies
Jeff Ross, Interim Ombudsman for Public Education
Jeff Ross was appointed as the Interim Ombudsman for Public Education for the District of Columbia in February 2009. Prior to his appointment, Jeff served as the leader of the Chancellor’s Critical Response Team for DC Public Schools. In that position, Jeff interacted with hundreds of parents, employees, and other DCPS stakeholders who brought concerns to the Office of the Chancellor. During Jeff’s tenure, the Critical Response Team helped to resolve 3,727 issues ranging from classroom-level issues to Human Resource concerns. In all cases, Jeff strove to uphold Mayor Fenty’s standards of customer service and to facilitate open, timely and knowledgeable communication from district employees.
Jeff originally joined DC government as an elementary school teacher in DCPS. He taught 4th grade at Hendley Elementary School in Ward 8 as well as at Gibbs Elementary School in Ward 6. Jeff lives in the Columbia Heights community in Ward 1. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from American University.
Luis Gabriel Rojo – Associate Ombudsman
Luis Gabriel Rojo is a licensed social worker and longtime community worker having worked primarily with Latino communities in the Washington DC metropolitan area. In his last position with the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, Gabriel directed community development efforts for the Latino community, working in collaboration with neighborhood initiatives. Gabriel is a native Washingtonian. He received his high school diploma from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School and a Masters degree from Howard University’s School of Social Work and George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Natasha Wilkins – Ombudsman Specialist
Natasha Wilkins is a conflict resolution specialist having worked in many areas of conflict resolution including community mediation, public engagement regarding education policy and land-use issues, and a juvenile diversion restorative justice program. Natasha is committed to utilize conflict resolution principles to empower individuals, families, and communities to work peacefully to resolve conflicts at the interpersonal and institutional level and to influence policy changes by giving voice to citizens in need. Prior to joining the Ombudsman Office, Natasha served as the Program Director of the Community Conferencing Program of Prince George’s County, MD, a youth conflict resolution program used to divert minor juvenile offences out of the juvenile justice system. Natasha received her Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tuskegee University and a Masters of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Wayne Cole, Sr. – Constituent Services Representative
Wayne Cole Sr. is a constituent services representative. Prior to joining the Ombudsman office, Mr. Cole worked as a Constituent Services Representative for the Deputy Mayor for Education and as a Special Assistant for over five years in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families, and Elders.
Agencies 
