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Editor's Note: Meet the 2023 Emerging Leaders

Articles Anne Millage Oct 09, 2023

Each year, Internal Auditor magazine features 15 up-and- coming internal audit professionals in its October issue. An experienced panel of judges selects these Emerging Leaders based on their business acumen/leadership, innovative thinking, service to the profession, and community service. The 2023 Emerging Leaders excel in all these areas, showing great promise for the future of the profession. 

Take, for example, Uber’s Natasha Fernandez, who heads thought leadership projects and takes on challenging reviews that require creativity, flexibility, deep dives into niche areas, and strong relationships with stakeholders. The proof of her skilled leadership are the many requests internal audit receives from stakeholders to collaborate on high-risk areas.

And when it comes to innovation, this year’s Leaders are plugging into the latest technologies. Nutrien’s Brooke Lobdell developed an SQL script designed to detect potential conflicts of interest using data from multiple platforms. She is now responsible for more than 25 active robots and has written several complete scripts.

This year’s Leaders also are passionate about giving back to the profession and sharing their knowledge. Argotrade Supply Group’s Hasan Aliyev volunteers in educational workshops and mentors students interested in earning the CIA and CRMA designations. He’s also a strong advocate for his affiliate, IIA–Azerbaijan, helping more than 15 members join the organization. 

That passion for giving back extends to the communities in which the Leaders live and work. TIAA’s Jada Pierre takes on leadership roles in community service initiatives at her company. She is passionate about fighting hunger and supporting access to nutritional meals for those living in food deserts.

You can learn more about Natasha, Brooke, Hasan, and Jada and meet the entire impressive class of 2023 Emerging Leaders beginning on page 32. Congratulations to all!

On a fun side note, we are excited to present our 2023 Emerging Leaders on Internal Auditor’s new digital platform. This platform features a more user-friendly experience, with a clean look  and additional opportunities to showcase and share all Internal Auditor magazine has to offer.

Use the narration feature to let us read to you while you’re on the move, receive curated content based on your reading preferences on a personalized channel, watch bonus content such as videos and The IIA’s new podcasts, and connect with us on social media — all from the platform. The digital edition also will adapt to your mobile device to offer the best viewing experience. Check out these features and many more and let us know what you think.

Anne Millage

Anne Millage is director of content at The IIA.