Welcome to the IIA Atlanta Chapter!

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.

2023 Membership Survey Results

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Chapter Officers

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

March 2024:
Overview of the new Global Internal Audit Standards

January 2024:
Understanding Enterprise and Operational Management
A Look Ahead - Emerging and Increasing Risks in 2024

GNP 2024:
Red Book - Yellow Book
Introduction to the Global Audit Standard
The Future Leader
50 Tips in 50 Min Explained

June 2023:
Risk Intelligence Discussion

March 2023:
IIA Cyber 2023 and Beyond
IIA Organizational Fraud
US Economic Forecast

January 2023:
GASB Update
Improving the Use of Data Analytics
OIAA Contract Review Process
Performance Measurement

December 2022:
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
2023 Internal Audit Hiring Challenges
2023 Enterprise Risk Assessments Considering Emerging Risks and New Opportunities

August 2022:
Mapping Ethical Risk
ACFE IIA Atlanta ESG Fraud Presentation

March 2022:
Fraud Risk Assessment
Doing Things Right in Challenging Times

February 2022:
IT IA High Impact Areas
Cyber Threat Landscape 2022
Cyber Security - A View From An External Auditor
Emerging Trends in Fintech - The Community Bank Perspective

Financial Services Conference 2022:
Ethical Issues in Automation
CyberSecurity Trends from 2021 for IA

GNP 2022:
2022 Atlanta Chapter of IIA Government and Not-For-Profit Conference
5th Annual IIA Atlanta Government and Not-for-Profit (Virtual) Conference
The Power of Being Understood
My Favorite Ethical Lapse of 2021
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation

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.

Membership Recruitment Flyer

Mulcahy Leadership Award

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

Chapter Meeting / CAE Appreciation – Maggiano's Perimeter – April 19, 2024

Chapter Meeting- Virtual – May 17, 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.

Complete the Survey

The Secret to the above Advocacy and Good Governance results are related to:

1. Starting in 2006 being CAE centric, now with 60% CAEs, 30% Sponsors, 5% Educators on Board
   1. 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.
2. Advocacy for IA Profession and winning prestigious International Mastering Advocacy Program (IMAP) in May 2009
   1. Ten years of Advocacy via Atlanta Business Chronicle (ABC)
      1. See below ABC February 2010
      2. Note in ABC Chapter listed 29 BOG members and 8 are still on BOG today
   2. 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.
   3. See Chapter Structure - Atlanta Board of Governors