The Atlanta Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) serves Atlanta, Georgia.
Chapter News and Events
IIA Atlanta welcomes you to our new website. Please take a moment to browse and see what’s new. For those of you searching for events and training, please scroll down to see upcoming events. For presentation materials click below on the Presentation Accordion.
Welcome to the IIA Atlanta Chapter
Established in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA) is an international professional association of more than 230,000 members worldwide. The IIA Atlanta Chapter was established in 1949 as the 29th chapter. The mission of our organization is to further the professional practice of internal auditing through advocacy and education.
The Atlanta Chapter has over 1,400 members from a wide range of industries, educational institutions, and government agencies (local, state, and federal). Our membership includes employees ranging from public Fortune 50 corporations to private closely-held companies. The IIA Atlanta Chapter enjoys the participation of many Chief Audit Executives (CAEs), management and staff auditors, and sponsors.
Scott Stevenson, CIA, CPA, CAE, Immediate Past President
Chair The Atlanta Conference, Emory University
Shalim Matos, CPA, CIA, CAE, CFO
Serta Simmons Bedding
Nancy Thomas, VP Secretary
NT Services and IIA Atlanta
Nataly Marks, VP of Programs
KPMG
Thomas Sherrill, VP of Programs
Home Depot
Toks Olabisi, CPA, CIA, CAE, VP of Membership
Concentrix
Jamal Redding, VP of DE&I
JC Jones
Alicia Wilson, CPA, CIA, CRMA, CGMA, CAE, VP of Certifications
Southwire
Dear Fellow IIA Atlanta Chapter Members,
It is my honor and privilege to serve as President of our Chapter for the 2022 - 2023 term.
This year we have chosen ‘Resilience’ as the theme for our biggest event, The Atlanta Conference, and I want to carry that theme throughout the year. ‘Resilience’ is defined as ‘the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness’. The COVID pandemic has forced all of us to learn to be resilient in our own way, with our personal and professional lives. Our Chapter has also had to be resilient. With COVID forcing us to hold all our meetings and events virtually and the loss of Bill Mulcahy, our Chapter has also had difficulties to face, but we are tough, and we are determined.
I want to thank our outgoing President, Scott Stevenson, for his leadership and for helping me transition into this role. His vision and commitment to our Chapter were instrumental in successfully navigating a challenging year.
My goal for the upcoming year is to continue our recovery and demonstrate our resilience. During my term I will strive to do the following:
grow our membership
transition to a mix of in-person and virtual meetings and events
provide relevant learning and networking opportunities to our members
continue our outreach to students
promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our Chapter, Profession, and community
increase mentoring efforts; and
grow awareness of the Profession.
These are ambitious goals, so I encourage all our members to get involved. Please support us by sharing your ideas, talents, and time to make us an even better chapter and advocate of the Profession.
I look forward to serving our members and working with our officers, committee leaders, Board of Governors, Advisory Board, and volunteers to make this year an outstanding one. I also look forward to your feedback throughout the year on how I can serve you and our Chapter better.
Best regards,
Gustavo Lugo
Building Awareness Champions
We are pleased to be a 2023 Building Awareness Champion!
During Internal Audit Awareness Month in May, we shared our passion for internal auditing, promoting the profession through a variety of events and campaigns designed to inform and engage, raise awareness, and help stakeholders understand the value of internal audit in their organizations.
The Atlanta Chapter worked with Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University (KSU) to establish Internal Auditing Education Partnerships (IAEPs) to provide students with the internal audit education needed to enter the profession. The IIA Atlanta Chapter donated over $175,000 to both universities to assist in their IAEP accreditation and to fund scholarships.
Annually, we hold a Student Day Event at KSU where students from Georgia colleges and universities can interview for internal audit internships and/or permanent positions with Atlanta companies. This is also a valuable networking opportunity for students and professionals.
Each fall, the Chapter sponsors the increasingly popular Bill Mulcahy IIA Atlanta Audit and Advisory Case Competition. The Competition is named in honor of the Chapter’s long-time leader, mentor, and friend, Bill Mulcahy. Bill believed wholeheartedly in working with students to provide them with opportunities to learn from and network with Internal Audit leaders in the community.
The Competition is a one-day event during which students from colleges and universities from the State of Georgia are invited to participate in 3 person teams. The IIA Atlanta Academic Relations Committee develops a case and each team submits a solution to the Committee. The 10 finalist teams are invited to participate in the in-person competition and present their solution to the case. A team of judges determines the top four teams.
Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. - Vernā Myers
In December 2020, under the leadership of Julie Hower (IIA Atlanta President 2020-2021), the Chapter formed its first DE&I committee, comprised of eight members, and adopted the following philosophy in support of the IIA Mission:
IIA Mission: To further the professional practice of internal auditing through advocacy and education
DE&I Philosophy: To integrate DE&I into the fabric of our organization and pursue opportunities that raise awareness and increase diverse representation in our membership, leadership, and profession
In addition to educating members on the importance of DE&I, the Chapter’s Board is focused on how DE&I is woven into monthly program offerings (speakers and content) and all other Chapter events and initiatives.
The IIA Atlanta Chapter established The Mulcahy Leadership Award (MLA) in 2007 to honor then President of the Chapter, Bill Mulcahy, for his vision and execution of his Five Leadership Points for the Chapter.
2022 – Award Winners
Brad Schafer – Kennesaw State University - Creates fantastic learning environment and promoting IA profession for the students at KSU by bringing students and professional IA leaders together.
Syandene Hymon – Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta -DE&I leadership within the chapter and with HBCUs.
Alicia Wilson – Southwire – Actively involved in many aspects of the chapter: Certifications officer, strong contributor to DE&I, mentoring programs and event speaker.
Fred Masci – Kennesaw State University – Lifetime achievement award for board member who helped to shape the direction of the chapter. Motivates and encourages students to consider internal audit as a career through teaching and coaching.
Nancy Thomas – IIA Atlanta – Lifetime achievement award for unparalleled dedication to the chapter by helping manage events and other duties to create great experiences for volunteers and members.
Domonique Williams – Protiviti – Mentoring Program Leadership
Barbara Jesup – Retired –Lifetime achievement award for board member who helped shape the direction of the chapter. Most notable was managing sponsorships and the Chapter Achievement Program.
2021 – Award Winners
Shalim Matos – Serta Simmons Bedding – Mentoring Program Leadership
Carley Ferguson – Mohawk Industries – Service on BOG, Past President, over 5 years Leadership of Academic Relations Committee
David Underwood – The ICE – Leadership of Fortune 500 CAE Roundtable; top speaker at 3rd annual Financial Services Conference
Gustavo Lugo – GE Power – Incoming President; Leadership of Fortune 500 CAE Roundtable
Emily Ormsby – Cousins Properties – Taking over mid-year as CFO; Chair of The Atlanta Conference 2022
Glenda Ostrander – Gwinnett County Public Schools – Key member of Government NFP Committee; IIA Global blogger and IA Magazine
Taron Ragan – Deloitte - Published book author and mentoring coach
Susan Paul – Fusion Solutions -Top 10 IA thought leader per Richard Chambers and chair of the IT Audit Committee
David Petrisky – Georgia State University and Global IIA – Teaching at GSU’s IAEP Program; long time supporter of the Chapter’s Academic Relations Committee
Dave Dobill – State Farm Insurance – Support of the Case Competition serving as a committee member and championship round judge; State Farm’s financial support of the Case Competition.
Richard Chambers – 1st Hometown Atlanta person to serve as President and CEO at IIA Global; frequent keynote speaker at Atlanta conference; Instrumental in the success of the Atlanta Regional Conference in 2007; Instrumental in the success of the 69th annual International Conference in 2010 in Atlanta.
2020 – AWARD WINNERS
Mo Azam, UPS - Really a lifetime achievement award for all he has made happen in the Atlanta Chapter and Mo hosted many IIA meeting at UPS over the years, including two in the 2019-2020 chapter year (note: Carl Schuman has already won the MLA plus the UPS team has won the award, but Mo individually had not, until now)
Brandi Thomas, Delta - Judge in Case Competition, keynote at TAC 2019, and leader of 4/24/20 Chapter meeting
Barry Ballow, The Coca-Cola Company - Judge at Case Competition, host of Fortune 500 CAEs roundtable, leader of a 2019 and 2020 Chapter meeting at Coca-Cola, and leader in mentoring program
Bob Andersen, Home Depot - Leader of CAE roundtable at TAC 2018, host of Fortune 500 CAEs roundtable, and leader in mentoring program
Gustavo Logo, HD Supply - Chair of Fortune 500 CAE Roundtable, multi-year Committee member of TAC, and host of Fortune 500 CAE Roundtable
Nataly Marks, KPMG - Host of Georgia State University event featuring the Chair of the IIA Global Board, long time Committee member of joint meeting of IIA and GACFE, Committee member of the Case Competition
Casey Potts, Georgia State University - Leader in getting GSU in 2019 to the IAEP "Comprehensive Level"
2019 – AWARD WINNERS
John Greene, CAE DeKalb County, Co-founder of the Annual Government and Not for Profit Conference
Megan Beeston Panella, IT Audit Manager, Rausch Advisory, 2019 one of 15 in the world selected by IA Magazine as an Emerging Leader.
Michelle Chelemer, SunTrust now Truist, 2018 one of 15 in the world selected by IA Magazine as an Emerging Leader
Emil Tzanov, CAE Marta, Co-Founder, Co-founder of the Annual Government and Not for Profit Conference
Delores White, Southern Company, Chair of the Mentoring Committee
Scott Stevenson, CAE Emory University, (not pictured), Audit and Advisory Case Competition leader and 2021-2022 IIA Atlanta Chapter President
2018 MULCAHY LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Nancy Thomas, Executive Director IIA Atlanta Chapter, Committee member of 2010 IIA International Conference in Atlanta
Carl Schulman, UPS, started the Chapter's Gold / Platinum streak while President 2003 to 2005, TAC Co-chair 2018
Julie Hower, Carters now CAE Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Chapter President 2020-2021
Connie Brown, Jefferson Wells, Chapter President/Chair 2013 to 2016
John Fuchko, now Vice Chancellor, University System of Georgia, Chapter President/Chair 2011 to 2015
Mike Lisenby, now Managing Director, Rausch Advisory
Rich Clune, Kennesaw State University
Ric Kimball, Partner, KPMG, four years as VP Programs for the Chapter and Co-founder of the Mentoring Program
2007 INITIAL WINNERS OF THE MULCAHY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Bill Mulcahy, CAE, Emory University, Namesake of Award see above for his vision and execution of his 5 leadership points for the Chapter and Founder / Co-founder, CAE Roundtables, TAC, the KSU Internal Audit Center of Excellence, Mentoring Program, Chairman of 2007 Regional Conference, 2010 International Conference, Financial Services Conference and the Annual Government and Not for Profit Conference, Healthcare Conference and leader /driver of Georgia State University Internal Audit Education Partnership (IAEP) with the IIA Global, President/Chair of IIA Atlanta Chapter 2006 to 2010 and 2018 to 2019, Chair of the Board in winning the IIA Global prestigious International Mastering Advocacy Program (IMAP Award) in 2009
C.O. Hollis, Jr CAE, Morehouse College, leadership of the Certifications Committee
Paul Sobel, Now COSO Chair, leadership of Programs for the 2010 IIA International Conference in Atlanta
Fred Masci, CAE, Mirant, leader of the Academic Relations Committee, Co-Founder of the KSU Internal Audit Center of Excellence, Founder of what is now called the Bill Mulcahy Audit and Advisory Case Competition, Committee Chair and Leader of "fun" at the 2010 IIA International Conference in Atlanta
Barbara Jesup, CAE Asbury Automotive, Leader of Sponsorship and CAP reporting.
Paul McClung, Deloitte, now CAE Westrock, CFO of the Chapter and the 2010 IIA International Conference in Atlanta
Dave Bilko, CAE SunTrust now Truist, COO of the 2010 IIA International Conference in Atlanta, President of the IIA Atlanta Chapter 2008 to 2010
CO CIA
O. Hollis, Jr. CIA, CPA is the namesake of the IIA Atlanta Chapter Certifications Hall of Fame AN INTERVIEW WITH CO HOLLIS
The Paul Sobel Award
Formerly known as the Bill Bishop Award, The Paul Sobel Award is for extraordinary global achievement by a hometown IIA Atlanta member for the Internal Audit Profession.
2019 Richard Chambers for 12 years as President and CEO of the IIA Global
2018 Laura Patterson for her lifetime achievement in the Internal Auditing Profession
2012 Rich Clune as Director of the Kennesaw State University Internal Audit "Center of Excellence", the 7th in the world to achieve that top status
2010 Bill Mulcahy as Chair of the 69th Annual IIA Global International Conference in Atlanta
2008 Paul Sobel related to service on the IIA Global Board, including being Chair of the Board
2005 Fred Masci related to Founding the Academic Relations Committee
2001 C.O. Hollis, Jr related to leadership with Internal Audit Certifications
The IIA Atlanta Chapter recognizes that there is significant demand for high quality, reasonably priced internal audit education. The Chapter holds monthly meetings where attendees are eligible to earn continuing professional education. The IIA Atlanta Chapter’s signature event is The Atlanta Conference, which is typically held each September. In addition to their educational value, these events are excellent opportunities to support and network with internal audit professionals.
Chapter Meeting sponsored by Rausch – in person – UPS Headquarters – December 8, 2023 – Register Now
Mentoring Meeting – Virtual – December 15, 2023 – Register Now
Healthcare Conference sponsored by DHG and Emory – Virtual - December
Government and Not for Profit Conference – January 19 and 26, 2024 – Register Now
Chapter Meeting Sponsored by BDO – in person – January 25, 2024
Chapter Meeting Sponsored by Mindbridge – Virtual – February 23, 2024
Chapter Meeting sponsored by JC Jones– Virtual – March 27, 2024
IIA Atlanta Mentoring & Young Professionals Program
The IIA of Atlanta takes great pride in growing our profession and assisting those newer to the industry in networking and mentorship. We have an annual program that kicks off each June with the purpose of accelerating the personal & professional development of participating mentors & mentees.
Our goal is to match a diverse group of interested mentors & mentees, encourage regular connection points, and provide regular programming to assist in building soft & technical skills. If you are interested in joining the program or have questions, please reach out to Cody Weeks cody.weeks@voya.com.”
If you wish to participate in the IIA Atlanta Mentoring Program, please complete this short survey.
The Secret to the above Advocacy and Good Governance results are related to:
Starting in 2006 being CAE centric, now with 60% CAEs, 30% Sponsors, 5% Educators on Board
Being CAE-centric, with that number of CAE’s, encourages new CAE’s to join and stay, makes it desirable to be “part of the club” since all the other CAEs are doing it. CAE’s don’t turn over that frequently, so the longevity is to be expected. Having participation, on the board, at this (CAE) level is what encourages strong sponsorship (Big 4 and beyond) and, thus, our chapter’s ability to give back to our community of internal auditors (including students and young professionals). Participation by such a “high” number of CAEs on our board is the engine that propels our success. The IIA Atlanta is now enjoying the benefits of what Jim Collins, author, and keynote at the 2008 IIA International Conference in San Francisco calls the "Flywheel Effect" in his book of that name. Collins says it's hard to get the "flywheel" around the 1st time but it gets easier and better each time around. The Atlanta Chapter now 18 times around as a Gold / Platinum Chapter, we have the flywheel spinning around! This IIA Global / NA governance change risks disrupting this equilibrium of Atlanta's flywheel.
Advocacy for IA Profession and winning prestigious International Mastering Advocacy Program (IMAP) in May 2009
Ten years of Advocacy via Atlanta Business Chronicle (ABC)
See below ABC February 2010
Note in ABC Chapter listed 29 BOG members and 8 are still on BOG today
Attracting BOG members saying only 2 hours per year, no out of town travel, and after a year or two getting involved in a Chapter activity. Sponsors are expected to sponsor an event before being considered BOG.
See Chapter Structure - Atlanta Board of Governors
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