​Emerging Leaders

The IIA defines an emerging leader as a practitioner under the age of 35 or new to internal audit or other similar areas with a passion for the profession. Through the efforts of The IIA’s North American Board and Emerging Leaders Advisory Group (ELAG), we want to encourage emerging leaders to engage, connect, and contribute to the profession. Emerging leaders can prepare to excel in their careers by engaging in programming at IIA conferences and events, including the Emerging Leaders Forum. Additionally, emerging leaders can provide valuable contributions through volunteer service — locally (find your local chapter), or internationally with IIA Headquarters — and through thought leadership, including Internal Auditor magazine and blogs.

Emerging Leaders Advisory Group (ELAG)

Mission 

The mission of the Emerging Leaders Advisory Group (ELAG) is to connect emerging professionals with experienced internal audit practitioners to foster meaningful mentoring relationships, facilitate knowledge sharing, and support professional growth. Through collaboration, innovation, and engagement, ELAG leverages The IIA's resources to strengthen member value and experience for both mentors and mentees, develop the next generation of internal audit leaders, and strengthen the global internal audit profession by promoting lifelong learning, leadership development, and professional engagement. 

Who we are:

The Emerging Leaders Advisory Group (ELAG) consists of one Volunteer Lead and 10–15 volunteer members. The group reflects a diverse range of professional backgrounds, industries, experience levels, and geographic regions to ensure broad perspectives and global representation.  The ELAG is a diverse group of IIA members with a passion for the profession who have less than 15 years of internal audit experience across various industries. Several of these volunteer members hold committee roles within The IIA and have extensive volunteering experience within their local chapters. The Advisory Group operates under the guidance of The IIA’s North American Board and Membership Engagement Department.

What we do:

The ELAG serves as an established channel to inform and connect young professionals within and outside The IIA. The ELAG will provide constant feedback to The IIA’s staff and North American Board to increase the value of IIA membership for emerging leaders and to provide recommendations on ways to grow IIA membership among emerging leaders. Ask an ELAG member how you can ENGAGE, CONNECT, and CONTRIBUTE!

Here are additional ways to get involved and be recognized as an emerging leader:

2026-27 Emerging Leaders Advisory Group Members