2025 Emerging Leaders

Stephen Odipo

Manager, Systems Audit, CPF Group, Nairobi, Kenya

Stephen Odipo says he’s a dream chaser. His latest dream? “To be in a position where I’m doing something impactful for the world,” he says.

Through his internal audit work at financial services firm CFP Group, Odipo may already be living the fantasy. A former software developer, Odipo felt the tug toward auditing when he discovered the value he could bring to helping audit clients. That includes embracing new technologies and modern methods to enhance the audit function, such as leveraging data analytics and applying root-cause analysis. Odipo’s push for automating audit tests, including vulnerability scans to identify unpatched systems and wireless scans for unauthorized wireless access points, was widely supported by senior executives.

This year, Odipo was part of a committee that created and organized CPF Group’s submissions for IIA–Kenya’s Internal Audit and Risk Awards, where the company took home five awards, including CEO of the Year and Board Audit Committee of the Year. “Whether leading a project or supporting his peers, Stephen consistently promotes a culture of teamwork and mutual respect,” says Odipo’s mentor Mikaeli Jesang, general manager at Equity Group Holdings in Nairobi.

Odipo says part of his dream is to help shape the world for younger leaders and to share one important fact: “Auditors are fun,” he says. “We are working to change the mindset from the traditional view of auditing into being people who care and can help.”

Salim Al Mawali

Internal Auditor & Control Officer, SMN Power Holding SAOG, Muscat, Oman

Salim Al Mawali might have a sixth sense. An internal auditor at an Omani-based power and water company, he says forecasting has been critical. So much so that he developed predictive models that moved the department from a reactive risk management approach to a proactive one.

The impact of the models has been great, shifting the company from detecting risks late in the cycle — which often required costly and time-consuming corrective actions — to reducing incidents. “Salim’s ability to anticipate business needs and emerging risks has strengthened executive decision-making and increased stakeholder confidence,” says Asma Al Balushi, head of internal audit at SMN Power Holding.

Al Mawali’s forward-thinking mindset is part of his commitment to innovation. He is a proponent of data analytics, robotic process automation, and AI-driven tools to enhance audit efficiency, accuracy, and coverage.

In addition to his proactive approach to enhancing risk management, Al Mawali led SMN Power Holding’s implementation of ISO audit and integrated risk management frameworks, as well as successfully executed a companywide cybersecurity project audit. “I am driven by a vision for continuous growth,” says Al Mawali, who earned his bachelor’s degree in the U.S. “My blend of international education, diverse industry exposure, and ongoing professional development allows me to approach internal auditing not just as a compliance function, but as a driver for organizational improvement and resilience.”

Hallie Atwell

Senior Consultant, Business Process, Risk, and Controls, Crowe LLP, Chicago

While helping her clients navigate a complex audit, Hallie Atwell feels like a detective. Working with multiple financial institutions at Crowe, Atwell says she loves investigating how each organization operates and recommending business solutions. “I enjoy learning,” she says. “When I don’t understand a process at the bank or a new regulatory aspect, I want to learn all I can to bring that knowledge and benefit to the client.”

Atwell’s desire to grasp difficult issues has led her to contribute to a team that developed prompts for executing accurate audits using AI. Atwell pushed herself to understand how Crowe used new technologies in audit processes, helping to expand the company’s AI capabilities. “Her ability to balance technical requirements with human connection has resulted in sustained positive client feedback,” says Joseph Garcia, a partner at Crowe.

Atwell’s team-oriented skills were on full display recently when she explained a risk exposure to a group of interns on a site visit. Harkening back to memories of herself being new to the job, Atwell says she is proud to share her knowledge with new colleagues. “I will always be available for a question,” she says.

Izzatul Hanim Ismadi

Assistant Manager, IHH Healthcare, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Despite the immense complexities that come with operating a hospital, Izzatul Hanim Ismadi has made improving controls and leveraging best practices more attainable. The resources in her toolbox? Technology and an out-of-the-box way of thinking.

At IHH Healthcare, a provider with hospitals in 10 countries, Hanim saw how creating audit dashboards from scratch resulted in lag time. Plus, with auditors from multiple hospitals posting to the dashboards, the disparately merged presentations were difficult to read. Seeing the issues, Hanin developed scalable Power BI templates to integrate predictive analytics for deeper, data-driven insights. As she says, “If I can improve the quality of life for an organization like IHH, it’s like being a background, silent hero who maintains a piece of society.”

Hanim also leveraged SharePoint to make business intelligence dashboards more accessible, which helps the organization monitor operational risks. For example, with one click, team members can see if pharmaceutical items are expiring and from which hospitals, flagging a potential issue early on. “Izzatul’s initiatives have transformed the way audits are conducted, setting a new benchmark for digital excellence,” says Hui Boon Yap, deputy head of internal audit at IHH.

Shayla Johnson

Senior Staff Auditor, UPS, Atlanta

The way Shayla Johnson sees it, internal auditors “have the best seat in the house.” That’s because from her vantage point at UPS, she can share business insights with the global shipping and distribution company.

Coming from a family of UPS employees, Johnson has held various roles within the company, from package handler to human resources. Now in internal audit, she uses those past perspectives to unlock value for the organization.

Johnson led the company’s Automated Hire Driver Helper project to automate the seasonal hiring process. She also helped modernize the regulated product compliance program. “Shayla helped reduce manual workload, increase data accuracy, and improve oversight,” says Douglass Daley, an internal audit director at UPS.

Johnson is part of the inaugural class of UPS’s Audit Leadership Accelerator program, a group selected for two-year rotations through key audit areas to prepare for management roles. In addition, she chairs the company’s Future Talent Committee, where she says she looks to inspire tomorrow’s leaders. “I want them to never be afraid to take a challenge and run with it,” she says.

Ebuka Ajaegbu

Head, Internal Audit and Control, Norrenberger Securities Limited, Lagos, Nigeria

Ebuka Ajaegbu says, “A good audit doesn’t shout; it speaks with precision.” It is messages like these that he communicates to his nearly 1,500 LinkedIn followers, many of whom look to him as a mentor. Ajaegbu posts almost daily on LinkedIn, giving real-world audit insights that encourage aspiring undergraduates to seek positions in the profession.

Mentoring others comes naturally to Ajaegbu, the recently appointed head of internal audit and control at Norrenberger Securities Limited. So, too, does being a solutions provider and someone who “is proactive, not reactive.” As Ajaegbu says, “I don’t want to wait for a problem to happen. I try to look out for situations that have potential to cause problems and then become a crisis.”

An example of how Ajaegbu solves problems is when he created the audit charter and independence declaration form for his former company, Hallmark Finance. The charter established the department by setting out internal audit’s authority and function. “Its impact included allowing management to better understand our function and our purpose,” he explains.

Ajaegbu also initiated Hallmark Finance’s Risk-in-Focus newsletter, an internal publication designed to educate employees on the significance of risk management and its impact on business success. “As a result, organizational risk awareness has significantly increased, enabling the company to make more informed decisions and mitigate emerging risks,” says Simon-Jude Mmayie, president and board chair of IIA–Nigeria.

Madison Martens

Managing Senior Internal Auditor, Spectrum Brands, Madison, Wis.

Madison Martens loves the mental workout of a puzzle. She says she could sit for hours, unlocking the solution and seeing the result materialize. Which makes her meteoric rise at home-essentials company Spectrum Brands all the more appropriate. “I like helping management identify risks and possible solutions to those risks,” says Martens, who in three years has risen from internal auditor to managing senior internal auditor. “It’s really about finding that missing puzzle piece.”

That problem-solving characteristic was on full display as Martens was part of a team that retooled Spectrum’s enterprise risk management program, taking the lead on data analytics. She created a quarterly word cloud to help the team visualize risks more effectively. In addition, her use of business intelligence tools on the annual risk assessment was “instrumental in helping company management and the audit committee identify emerging risks at the enterprise level,” says Mari Solberg, vice president of Spectrum’s Internal Audit Division.

In Martens’ view, risk assessment is all about getting a head start. “We start by asking those thought-provoking questions so we can start building mitigation plans at the forefront,” she says.

Martens’ community service efforts reflect her dedication to making a positive impact. Since 2022, she has led the Middleton RISE Committee for Spectrum, organizing events focused on recreation, inclusion, and engagement for employees.

Farah Eida

Manager, Internal Audit, ADNH Catering, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

It’s one feat to succeed on an established internal audit team, but it is another achievement altogether to create an audit function from the ground up. Farah Eida did exactly that with food services company ADNH Catering.

Eida leads both internal audit and ERM, reporting to ADNH’s audit and risk committee, and she was essential in supporting governance during the company’s initial public offering. Her work includes finding innovative ways to use data analytics to forecast potential issues. “Her approach modernizes audit processes and enhances fraud detection,” says Bilal Rajab, head of technical audit at Emirates Water and Electricity Co. and a fellow member of IIA–UAE.

Eida has a history of success at a young age. At 24, she gave a TED Talk titled, “Give Up or Try Harder,” which inspired resilience in young audiences. Last year, she published a book, Unlocking Your Potential: A Journey to Self-Development.

Early in her career, Eida quickly discovered “the beauty in understanding how organizations function, think critically, and problem solve starts in auditing.” For her part, she says, “We are living in a very transformative era, where we are trying to change from being a reactive function to a proactive function. And that excites me a lot.”

Shahad Alshehri

Internal Auditor, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

For Shahad Alshehri, numbers alone weren’t enough. The former accountant and external auditor wanted more than to work with figures; she wanted to understand business operations, identify risks, and make tangible impacts on a company’s performance and governance.

Over the past three years, Alshehri has hit her stride as a member of the internal audit department at energy and chemicals giant Saudi Aramco. In addition to working on complex audits, Alshehri has led three full audits, including high-impact areas such as research and analytical services, the hydrogen department, and downstream transformation. Audit specialist Salman Ahmed describes the transformation audit as complex, “as it involves overseeing the effectiveness of the implementation of the new Downstream Operating Model across the entire company.” He says Alshehri performed the audit with perfection, “and has set a positive example for all young members of the team.”

For Alshehri, a self-described continuous learner, “each audit is an opportunity to learn something new, contribute to continuous improvement, and engage with some of the most knowledgeable and inspiring professionals across departments.”

Her work has gotten a lot of attention. For the past two years, Alshehri has been recognized by Saudi Aramco’s chief financial officer and senior leadership during the company’s Internal Auditing and Finance Excellence Award Ceremony.

Sai Varalakshmi

Chief Manager, Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd., Tiruchirapalli, India

For Sai Varalakshmi, internal auditing is less of a profession and “more a natural fit for how I see the world.” Her inquisitive nature has continually been on display for more than five years at Star Health and Allied Insurance, where she focuses on manufacturing, consumer goods, education, and health insurance.

A proponent of digital tools, Varalakshmi’s recent collaboration with her company’s Data Lake team has increased efficiency. Previously, auditors had to manually verify transactions, a time-consuming and error-prone process. Varalakshmi helped develop customized reports tailored to each audit. These reports pull data directly from their systems, allowing the team to focus on analysis. “It’s been a game-changer in terms of speed, accuracy, and depth of insights,” she says.

A proud moment came when Varalakshmi and a colleague were entrusted to lead interviews and audit discussions for a thematic audit on claims. The pilot audit was mandated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, and it came with high expectations. As Varalakshmi says, “Taking ownership of such a critical assignment early in my career gave me the confidence to lead with clarity and deliver with impact.”

Within her company, Varalakshmi conducts information-
sharing sessions that are helping establish a culture of continuous learning and open dialogue. “Her ability to build strong relationships with her team members and other stakeholders has been instrumental in achieving common goals,” says Sethuraman Ramadoss, vice president of Internal Audit at Star Health and Allied Insurance.

Rowan Haai

Senior Associate, PwC, Johannesburg

If there was ever a doubt about the next generation of internal auditors, Rowan Haai is here to shut it down. As he puts it, “We have arrived, and we are here to shake things up.”

And that he has. Since starting at PwC in January 2023, Haai has been on a rapid rise. That same year, at 22 years old, he earned IIA–South Africa’s Young Internal Auditor of the Year Award. Rooted in integrity and an affable nature, Haai has led internal audit teams that foster an environment where auditors “can share insights and work together to achieve common goals,” says Thabiso Moitoi, manager of membership and sales at IIA–South Africa.

But perhaps Haai’s core trait is his focus on mentoring an even younger wave of internal auditors. Propelled by a motto of “nothing changes unless something changes,” Haai leads a University Work Integrated Learning Assured project at the University of Johannesburg. Here, he develops training simulations and workshops that task internal audit students with fieldwork and presenting their findings to stakeholders.

Alissa Redwanowski

Manager, Business Process Audit and Advisory, Protiviti, Philadelphia

In her nearly six years at global consulting firm Protiviti, Alissa Redwanowski has realized an important aspect of being an internal auditor: “It’s best when you don’t overcomplicate things.” That mindset has served her well through a multitude of projects. “Clients often view their issues as large and immeasurable, which can become overwhelming,” she says. “I try to break down these problems into digestible pieces to help make them more manageable.”

In a recent project that included helping a client clear its overwhelming invoice backlog, Redwanowski saw opportunities to make the process more efficient. Little by little, she and her team made the project more manageable, making it so efficient that it reduced the number of staff the client needed and got the client in a steady state.

“Alissa Redwanowski’s strategic approach to innovation leads to sustainable improvements and client satisfaction,” says Andrew Struthers-Kennedy, managing director, global leader of internal audit and financial advisory at Protiviti.

Redwanowski also is engaged with the IIA–Philadelphia chapter, where she helps organize conferences and volunteers with its Academic Relations Committee to encourage students to pursue internal audit careers. Passionate about empowering others to succeed, she is involved with Protiviti’s iGROWW Employee Network Group, which hosts resume workshops and professional development events for local organizations.

Justin Silberlust

Associate Director, Internal Audit, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., New York

Justin Silberlust has a mantra: You never know. It’s a saying that he has turned to in his professional career, from taking a leap of faith on internal audit during an internship at TIAA to his current role at Oppenheimer & Co.

With a keen interest in fraud awareness, Silberlust proactively explores ways to strengthen fraud detection and testing procedures within the brokerage firm. That includes applying data analytics and business intelligence to make audit procedures more effective, as well as writing code to automate tasks.

Silberlust also started Oppenheimer’s Internal Audit Internship Training Program, which allows students and recent graduates to work side-by-side with seasoned experts. “Justin continues to impress me each day with his willingness to help and be a leader for our team,” says Parth Patel, an executive director of internal audit at Oppenheimer.

Outside of his job, Silberlust has become a respected voice for internal auditing. “As an auditor, you have to diagnose before you prescribe,” Silberlust says. “You have to take the time to learn who you are talking to, the risks that are going on.”

Audrey Theodora

Senior Auditor, APAC Operations Audit, Bank of America, Singapore

Something bothered Audrey Theodora after a remediation was complete. Something was off. Reopening the issue took substantial effort, one that was well worth it after Theodora found gaps during issue validation. Meticulous work like this has shown Gillian Jeffries, senior audit manager at Bank of America, why “Theodora has rapidly distinguished herself through intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.”

As someone who is drawn to challenges and making a positive impact, Theodora’s internal audit role has allowed her to make tangible differences by improving existing processes and the control environment. That includes proactively developing a suite of automated tests that cover securities settlement, equity, and fixed-income derivatives, among other areas. “I saw an opportunity to automate the testing because the full population data was available and the test was repetitive,” she says. “With the automation in place, we completed full population testing in less time.”

Beyond her technical skills, Theodora is known in the office as someone who collaborates easily. Her knowledge-sharing sessions have helped teams better understand control expectations and, just as importantly, have showcased team-based recommendations, rather than singularly sourced ones.

With her collaborative nature, she has even helped launch a wellness meditation initiative at Bank of America. Theodora says, “Our goal is to offer teammates a chance to take a quiet moment, refresh their minds, and return with a greater sense of awareness and presence.”

Allen Choi

Manager, Internal Audit, West Pharmaceutical Services, Philadelphia

From an early age, Allen Choi knew he wanted to impact people’s well-​being because, as he puts it, “when I think about what truly is important in our lives, I think of health and happiness.”

With his “if not me, then who?” attitude, Choi has led several initiatives for the audit team at West Pharma, which is known for its injectable therapy. He steered the department through the transition to the new Global Internal Audit Standards and updated the company’s Internal Audit Policy and Procedure Manual.

In addition, Choi encouraged the departmentwide use of WestGPT, West Pharma’s version of ChatGPT, to find quick answers on topics such as quality and health safety. These initiatives show how Choi “exemplifies accountability and ownership to the younger staff,” says William Jennings, vice president of Internal Audit.

A member of the IIA–Philadelphia chapter’s Academic Relations Committee, Choi connects with area universities to showcase the career paths for young auditors. Once an aspiring pharmacist, Choi says, “I found my purpose: having an impact on patients and patient lives.”