Anthony J. Pugliese
President and Chief Executive Officer
Anthony J. Pugliese is President and CEO of The IIA, the internal audit profession’s most widely recognized advocate, educator, and provider of standards, guidance, and certifications.
Over a career spanning more than 35 years, Anthony is a strategic, hands-on leader recognized for expanding organizations into major global markets, pioneering innovative educational initiatives aimed at enhancing members’ professional growth, leading internal audit functions forover 15 years, and advancing cultural transformation around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).
As CEO, he drives the vision and operations of a global professional association representing more than 265,000 members, nearly 150 chapters, and 117 National Institutes in over 170 countries and territories. He is dedicated to strengthening the voice of internal auditors worldwide while driving the evolution of the internal audit profession through modernized standards, certifications and advocacy. Notably, he spearheaded the groundbreaking “Internal Audit: Vision 2035 - Creating Our Future Together" project, which aims to define the profession’s long-term future and create a roadmap to achieve it.
Anthony is a seasoned executive and skilled association strategist with a passion for innovation and technological advancement. He is deely committed to mentoring students and building strong business partnerships, often working with chambers of commerce and other organizations to promote professional growth and collaboration.
Before joining The IIA, Anthony served as President and CEO of the California Society of CPAs, the largest state CPA organization in the United States. In 2020, he led development of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at CalCPA to address inequities in the accounting profession.
From 1997 through 2018, he held leadership roles at what is now the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants,including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). During his tenure, he led the AICPA’s $50 million relocation to North Carolina and directed key initiatives in business reporting, member innovation, and technology.
A graduate of the University of North Florida, Anthony has been consistently recognized among the most influential leaders in accounting and the Greater Orlando business community. In 2025, his alma mater honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.