Emerging Leaders

Fang Ting Cheung

Assistant Vice President / Barclays / Singapore

Fang Ting Cheung’s innovative spirit and dedication to inclusivity are making waves at Barclays Singapore. She tackles complex challenges in the global markets portfolio, bringing fresh perspectives to the internal audit process.

“Fang Ting contributed to many of the initiatives to automate the audit process as a member of the data analytics specialist program,” says Lesley Parkinson, head of early careers at Barclays Internal Audit. “She is highly driven and a self-starter who has consistently taken on new challenges with enthusiasm.”

As the lead data analytics specialist, Cheung helped develop a prototype of an initial automation tool and applied complex programming techniques to extract and process Monetary Authority of Singapore regulatory notices every quarter. “This initiative strengthened the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements as the internal audit department is kept up to date on new and amended notices that will highlight key emerging risks,” she says. “The impact to the internal audit department extended beyond regional boundaries, prompting other regions to reassess their methods for tracking key regulatory changes.”

Cheung’s passion for innovation extends beyond her daily responsibilities. In 2023, she spearheaded a significant initiative as co-chair of Barclays Singapore’s Emerge program. “I am proud of leading the launch of the first reverse mentoring program in the region,” she says. In this program, junior employees mentor senior employees to bridge generational gaps and foster inclusivity within the organization. Cheung was inspired by her personal experience as an inaugural graduate attempting to connect with her senior colleagues.

Nicholas Meyer

Senior Auditor / Salesforce / Indianapolis

At Salesforce, Nicholas Meyer is at the forefront of integrating technology with internal audit processes. His recent leadership in developing business requirements and testing user access for a governance, risk, and compliance solution at the company showcases his innovative approach. “I led an organizationwide hack-a-thon where I presented the tool and had the department work through a created case audit to provide feedback and improvement points,” he says. This initiative has streamlined the department’s operations and set the stage for enhancements.

When he’s not supporting developmental initiatives, Meyer focuses on operational audits across functions such as sales, marketing, and human resources. His passion for the profession stems from its potential to drive change.

Meyer joined Salesforce as the company was raising its maturity level by establishing in-house audit standards that are compliant with The IIA’s Standards. “Nick was part of the workstream for this project, helping develop standards, while more recently helping design and develop AI prompts that will help the organization identify risks, assess trends, and even provide insights over prior internal audit results,” says Christina Kallai, director of Internal Audit at Salesforce.

Recently named the IIA–Indianapolis Chapter secretary, Meyer looks forward to increasing his involvement in the chapter and bringing more in-person events to members. He is actively involved in community service, both through Salesforce’s initiatives and personal endeavors.

Nisha Nair

Internal Audit Specialist / Federal Authority for 
Nuclear Regulation / Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Nisha Nair’s career in internal auditing began with an internship at KPMG Lower Gulf Limited and has led to her current role at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation. Her work spans audit assignments, data analytics and advisory assignments, whistleblowing assessments, and audit and risk committee reporting, supporting the organization’s internal audit, anti-fraud, and ethics mandates.

Nair’s innovative spirit shines through her recent accomplishments. “I’m particularly proud of developing a five-stage data analytics maturity assessment framework for internal audit functions in the public sector,” she says. This framework, along with co-authoring an internal audit white paper for nuclear regulatory bodies, showcases her pioneering role in shaping industry standards, notes Amna Faridoon, CAE at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.

Beyond her day job, Nair actively contributes to the global internal audit community. "Nisha volunteers with The IIA’s Global Professional Knowledge Group, contributing to Knowledge Briefs and serving as an expert reviewer for learning content," Faridoon says.

Nair also perseveres to make a lasting difference through participating in environmental initiatives, promoting local sustainable farming, encouraging environmentally conscious gifting, and sponsoring education and healthcare for children affected by poor socioeconomic conditions.

James Baxter

Manager, Risk Consulting / EY / Denver

In the rapidly evolving world of Web3 — a proposed new version of the web based on decentralization, blockchain technology, and token-based economics — James Baxter is helping clients navigate the complex landscape of risk management and regulatory compliance. As a manager in EY’s Financial Service Organization Risk Consulting practice, Baxter takes pride in forging long-term partnerships with clients by effectively managing their risk across the Three Lines Model. He also manages project execution across multiple clients to ensure each team receives the support it needs.

One example is a Web3 client Baxter’s team has been supporting for over three years. Baxter has helped the client stand up its control environment and mature its risk management framework to withstand the various rules and regulations that come with becoming publicly listed. “Our shared success has served as a fantastic case study for me to see how meaningful, long-term partnerships can form when you sincerely listen to your client, take time to understand its needs, and develop a targeted approach with a cohesive team,” he says.

Baxter says he strives to be an empathetic leader who clients and co-workers can trust and depend on. He attributes his success to the support and mentorship he's received at EY, emphasizing the importance of perspective in navigating both challenges and triumphs in his career.

“James is consistently highly rated year over year within our high-performing environment,” says Justin Zavis, senior manager at EY. “Many folks at his tenure are very task-oriented, yet James is able to see the vision of the practice.”

Perla Habchi

Internal Audit Project Lead /
Natural Resources Canada / Ottawa, Ontario

Perla Habchi thrives at the intersection of innovation and internal auditing. Her work developing an internal control framework for performing audits of innovation initiatives in the public sector earned her the Internal Audit Vision Award from Canada’s Office of the Comptroller General and was featured in Internal Auditor.

Habchi says she is passionate about advancing the profession, which is evident in her role as advocacy chair on the IIA–Ottawa Chapter board. “My biggest goals are to advocate for the profession, bring new developments in support of our members, and create greater awareness about the internal audit profession at the academic level,” she says.

This dedication to promoting internal audit extends to her volunteer work, where she frequently speaks at universities and mentors incoming student auditors. Habchi sees these efforts as a way to give back to the community that supported her from the start of her career. “Perla’s passionate leadership, innovative thinking, collaborative efforts, and dedication to enhancing internal audit’s role in the community is outstanding,” says Saleema Newbury, audit manager at Natural Resources Canada.

As an Emerging Leader, Habchi says she hopes to inspire other young women in the profession. “Every ‘no’ you’ve received in your career was a step closer to a ‘yes,’” she advises. “If you believe in something, go for it!”

Yujia Li

Senior Data Analytics Auditor / Metra / Chicago

Yujia Li is working to revolutionize internal auditing through the power of data science. With a background in data analytics, Li transitioned to auditing, recognizing the growing importance of advanced analytics in the field. Her role at Chicago’s commuter rail system, Metra, involves leveraging machine learning and predictive modeling to enhance internal controls, risk management, and governance processes.

Li’s innovative approach is evident in a recent accomplishment. “One of my proudest achievements was developing a machine learning pipeline that integrates tree-based models and natural language processing tools to predict and clean messy vendor names for the purchase card audit,” she says.

Li explains that this project converted a noncompliant process into a proactive, efficient system. It showcases the transformative potential of data science in internal audit practices to address complex problems and improve operational efficiency.

Aiming to become an expert in the intersection between data science and auditing, Li is pursuing a master’s degree in data science. She already is sharing her knowledge with her colleagues. “As the co-founder of the data science club at our company, Yujia shares valuable insights and knowledge on the application of machine learning algorithms and the life cycle of data analytics,” says Sin Yu Yeung, audit manager at Metra.

Anant Pathak

Vice President, Audit Supervisor /
Bank of America / Wilmington, Del.

Anant Pathak’s chance encounter with a Bank of America audit director at a Penn State University networking event led to an internship with the company that has blossomed into a career. Now an audit supervisor, Pathak’s dedication to the profession is evident in his work on critical projects.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was part of a team that reviewed thousands of Paycheck Protection Program applications, ensuring federal funds were appropriately allocated,” he says. This experience, along with his work on complex regulatory matters, has significantly impacted his career growth.

Born in Gujarat, India, Pathak moved to the U.S. at age nine. He says his career achievements are a testament to his perseverance and the support of his family and mentors. Pathak actively gives back to the profession by mentoring interns and new hires, facilitating training, and participating in recruitment efforts for Bank of America’s Corporate Audit department.

“Over the past five years, Anant has mentored four interns and five new hires, helping them acclimate to the corporate environment and providing one-on-one audit methodology training,” says Janet Jarnagin, general auditor at Bank of America.

Abibat Oladunjoye

Internal Audit Associate / PwC Nigeria / Lagos State, Nigeria

A debate on equity and accountability inspired Abibat Oladunjoye’s passion for internal auditing. Her dedication to the profession is evident in how quickly she earned her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification. “I am most proud of my achievement of the CIA certification, having passed the three parts within 10 months with less than two years of experience in internal auditing,” she says.

At PwC Nigeria, Oladunjoye leads and supports assurance and consulting engagements. Using her business acumen, she created standard operating procedures for significant business processes, such as sales, procurement, and client onboarding that reduced turnaround time and improved client satisfaction. “With a passion for pushing boundaries beyond conventional imagination, Abibat consistently demonstrates her ability to create something out of nothing, generate innovative solutions to complex problems, and drive meaningful change,” says Alaba Awolaja, chief managing consultant at GOARISC & Oversight.

Looking ahead, Oladunjoye says she aspires to become a thought leader in internal auditing, helping develop practical guidance that advances the profession’s relevance and impact. Her commitment extends to advocating for a society free of embezzlement, corruption, and mismanagement.

Oladunjoye supports the internal audit community by offering training, reviewing articles from thought leaders, and providing personal coaching for CIA applicants. She also participated in an interview for The IIA’s Vision 2035 initiative, demonstrating her commitment to shaping the future of the profession.

Tommy Kerr

Senior Consultant, Internal Audit and Financial Advisory /
Protiviti / Overland Park, Kan.

At just 25 years old, Tommy Kerr is already making significant strides in the internal audit profession. At Protiviti, Kerr helps his clients improve their business processes and IT infrastructure through risk analysis, control design and testing, and process improvement.

“Tommy’s naturally collaborative approach enables him to work easily and effectively with international and cross-regional colleagues to achieve shared project goals,” says Andy Whittle, associate director at Protiviti. “His ability to foster meaningful relationships results in seamless collaboration and an environment where team members feel comfortable developing and bringing field-level risks and opportunities to the broader team for consideration.”

Kerr’s passion for continuous learning and growth is evident in his work. “What makes me most excited about this profession is the diversity of opportunities available due to the constantly evolving risk landscape that companies face,” he says. “Because the state of the profession is always changing, this means there are always going to be new opportunities to learn and expand my business acumen.”

One of Kerr’s proudest achievements was his team’s work on an enterprise risk assessment program for a client. Over two years, they tailored the program to the client’s niche industry, automating processes and aligning with senior management to identify top risks. The project’s success sparked strategic conversations at the board level.

Bilal Rajab

Head of Technical Audit / Emirates Water and
Electricity Company / Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Bilal Rajab combines his engineering expertise with audit acumen to revolutionize audit practices at Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC) — qualities that are getting a lot of attention. In 2022, Rajab won the Internal Audit Championship, a competition that showcased his audit knowledge through tests, case studies, and panel questions. Rajab competed against more than 75 participants in the event hosted by UAE development company ADQ.

Previously designated a Young Future Energy Leader by the UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology, Rajab continues to make his mark in the energy sector. A former consultant focusing on energy markets and technologies, he now manages technical reviews for specialized operational risks related to the business by identifying critical control issues and recommending process enhancements.

Moreover, The IIA selected Rajab as an Internal Audit Foundation Ambassador. “I’m driven with a passion to prove, promote, and advocate the need for qualified and specialized professionals in the internal audit field,” he says.

In his work at EWEC, Rajab manages specialized operational risk reviews and supports strategic long-term audit planning, leading by example. “Bilal has a strong commitment to the internal audit profession and is highly positioned through his dedication to become a future thought leader for the internal audit community,” says Mohammed AlThaher, executive director of internal audit at EWEC.

Lauren Kimler

Audit Manager–Vice President /
Wells Fargo / Philadelphia

Lauren Kimler’s passion for understanding the intricacies of banking drives her work as an audit manager at Wells Fargo. Kimler has spent much of her career learning about the mortgage industry and capital market functions and leading audits in an industry that “touches a lot of people’s lives in a big way,” she says.

In her time at Wells Fargo, Kimler has partnered with the Innovation and Analytics team to validate data populations, conduct code reviews, and recreate key management and reporting functions. She says this collaboration has enhanced her data and analytics skills. “Rather than being intimidated by the complexity of data flows across processes and systems, immersing myself in this world has led to more effective testing of data sources and key controls that are critical to the daily operations of various business lines,” she explains.

Committed to community service, Kimler views these efforts as part of something bigger than herself, a perspective that aligns with her professional approach of empowering her team and producing the best results collaboratively.

“One of Lauren’s most notable strengths is her ability to build rapport and establish open lines of communication with colleagues across all levels of the department,” says Bryan Loke, senior audit manager at Wells Fargo. “She possesses excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine willingness to help and listen to others’ perspectives.”

Ashley Ruta

Financial Services Internal Audit Manager /
Crowe LLP / New York

With a passion for making an impact, Ashley Ruta is quickly becoming a trusted advisor. At Crowe, she manages engagements for financial institutions, bringing a fresh perspective to risk assessments, control testing, and client communications. “I love being able to help my clients become better operating institutions,” Ruta says. “Each day is a different, unique challenge.”

Ruta says she always aspired to work in a client-facing role, and she currently does just that by performing risk assessments, creating remediation plans, conducting walkthroughs, learning her clients’ processes, and building client relationships. “Ashley operates at a high level in serving our clients and our people in one of our largest markets and offices,” says Michelle Beard, a Crowe partner. “She leads client engagements from start to finish, playing a lead role in the internal audit process from risk assessment to budget development and monitoring, audit planning and execution, supervising staff, and audit committee reporting.”

Ruta’s enthusiasm for problem-solving led her to help develop an engagement tracking tool at Crowe. The project, which she counts among her proudest achievements, helps her team complete timely audits and track data for its clients.

Outside of work, Ruta volunteers to support Educational Alliance Inc.’s annual Summer Field Day where she helps organize activities, games, and refreshments for local students from low-income households.

Alex Barron

Senior Auditor / Jackson Financial Inc. /
Lansing, Mich.

Alex Barron’s journey into internal auditing began with a part-time support position at Jackson Financial, where he assisted with U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 404 compliance work. Although Barron lacked an internal audit background, he used the opportunity as a springboard into a career focusing primarily on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

Barron says he is passionate about continuous learning. “My goal is to continue to learn and improve my audit skills and knowledge so I can be the person my co-workers seek out if they have a question or would like assistance,” he says.

In fact, when Barron joined the team, he realized the large amount of information he needed to become familiar with left him with endless questions for his co-workers. In the spirit of innovation, he created an onboarding welcome guide to help distill the fire hose of information for new employees in one, convenient place.

Such outside-the-box thinking helps his team address complex challenges, says Christie Mayer, audit director at Jackson Financial. “Alex’s proactive approach and creative mindset have not only enhanced the efficiency of internal audit processes but also have contributed to driving tangible business outcomes,” she notes.

One of Barron’s proudest achievements is being a presenter for Jackson Financial’s Leadership Chat program, where he shares insights about internal auditing with employees and college students exploring potential careers. He particularly enjoys showcasing how internal audit collaborates to set everyone up for success.

Katey Carriere

Assistant Vice President, Audit Manager /
Synchrony / Mandeville, La.

Katey Carriere is a relationship-builder. After learning the connections between external and internal audit at KPMG, she now focuses on managing relationships with external auditors and executing internal audit engagements at consumer financial services company Synchrony.

Carriere says she is proud of how her work impacts consumers, whether she is presenting audit results to executives or participating in hospital audits during the COVID-19 pandemic in a previous internal audit role. “I can see the improvements in internal processes that ultimately impact our consumers,” she says. “Passion for my audit work is driven by seeing how the work affects consumers’ daily lives.”

That impact led to Carriere receiving Synchrony’s CEO Award in 2023, recognizing her exceptional initiative, performance, and leadership. Carriere’s ability to consistently perform at a high level and her innate leadership qualities have a profound impact on the profession, according to JT Erwin, internal audit manager at First Horizon Bank.

Carriere’s forward-thinking approach extends to the IIA–New Orleans Chapter, where she is serving her second term as president. In that role, she helps nurture the next generation of auditors by participating in student events at local colleges and Synchrony’s recruiting efforts at Louisiana State University’s Internal Auditing Educational Partnership program.

Those efforts have enhanced member value. “Katey has been instrumental in introducing a series of initiatives that include innovative events,” Erwin says, “including a local peer-pairing program that fosters a deeper connection with the profession locally.”

Evan Webber

Director, Internal Audit & Risk Services /
OSF Healthcare System / Peoria, Ill.

At OSF Healthcare System, Evan Webber is reshaping the internal audit function with innovative approaches to risk management. His team’s creation of a comprehensive risk universe for the organization stands out as a significant achievement. “This initiative has sparked conversations with leadership and brought objectivity to our group when creating our internal audit plan,” Webber says.

As director of internal audit and risk services, Webber collaborates with senior leadership on a long-term strategic vision while managing day-to-day internal team operations. His passion for continuous learning drives him. “Internal audit lends itself to gaining so much knowledge about the entire organization, which is unique compared to most other positions,” he notes.

Webber is one of internal audit’s best critical thinkers, says Stephanie Kentzel, internal auditor at OSF Healthcare. “Evan is involved in all of our team’s brainstorming sessions and typically is the one who brings the best ideas to the table,” she explains. “He is able to think outside the box, allowing us to find creative solutions to issues and ensuring that no risks are overlooked or left unconsidered.”

As IIA–Central Illinois Chapter president, Webber leads the Board of Governors, assists with outreach to new members, and collaborates on programming strategy.