Leadership

Women in Internal Audit: Five Leaders on Voice, Power, and Owning the Room

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)•Mar 31, 2026

Why It Matters

Elevating women’s confidence and visibility in internal audit enhances the profession’s analytical depth and drives better governance, while providing a roadmap for firms to cultivate inclusive leadership pipelines.

Key Takeaways

  • •Women must prepare facts, then speak boldly in high‑stakes meetings.
  • •Mentors and role models accelerate entry into internal audit careers.
  • •Overcoming bias requires owning expertise, not framing interactions by gender.
  • •Early career pivots often reveal passion for audit’s investigative nature.
  • •Diverse voices improve audit outcomes and drive organizational risk insight.

Summary

The Institute of Internal Auditors produced a special Women’s History Month episode of All Things Internal Audit, bringing together five senior audit leaders—Kristi Ziegler, Doris Miles, Dominique Vincenti, Erin Benet, and Bailey Wang—to discuss how women can find their voice, wield power, and own the room in a traditionally male‑dominated field.

Across their stories, common themes emerge: many were the only woman or Black woman in the room, they relied on meticulous preparation and factual confidence, and they leveraged mentors who opened doors. They described career pivots—from accounting to audit, from consulting to risk, and across continents—that clarified their passion for the investigative nature of internal audit. Imposter syndrome and the pressure to qualify statements were acknowledged, but each speaker emphasized boldness and ownership of expertise.

Memorable lines underscore the message: “Do your homework, go in where you’re confident, and have all the facts,” and “If you enter a high‑stakes conversation already bracing for prejudice, you’re not fully present.” Others noted that women often use qualifiers that dilute impact, and that the antidote is radical ownership of knowledge rather than pre‑emptive gender framing.

The discussion signals a shift toward more inclusive audit leadership, suggesting that organizations that empower diverse voices can improve risk insight and decision‑making. For aspiring female auditors, the advice translates into concrete actions—seek mentors, prepare rigorously, speak up without apology, and view discomfort as a cue to contribute—ultimately strengthening both careers and the audit function.

Original Description

The Institute of Internal Auditors Presents: All Things Internal Audit
Five women. Five careers. Decades of experience across some of the world's largest organizations. They didn't just find their way into this profession. They helped shape it.
In this companion episode to Internal Auditor magazine’s “Leading the Way” https://iia.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=862550&p=32&view=issueViewer article, five internal audit leaders sit for a conversation that's long overdue: Erin Banet, Doris Myles, Chrysti Ziegler, Dominique Vincenti, and Beili Wong. Together, they cover the careers they built, the rooms they walked into alone, and what they'd tell every woman in this profession today.
You'll hear why preparing thoroughly is not the same as having permission to speak. You'll learn what it looks like to walk into a high-stakes conversation as a professional first, not as a woman managing a narrative. You'll hear the bad advice one of them ignored, and what happened when she did. And you'll discover what sponsorship really means when it's the difference between being mentored and having someone actively advocate on your behalf.
HOST:
Catie Brown
Associate Manager & Producer, Content Development, The IIA
GUESTS:
Erin Banet, CPA
Chief Audit and Risk Officer, Humana
Chrysti Ziegler, CIA, CRMA, CFE
Chief Auditor, Citgo Petroleum Corporation
Dominique Vincenti, CIA, CRMA
Immediate Past CAE, Uber
Board Member, Loft Orbital
Beili Wong, CIA, CISA, CPA
Comptroller General, Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat
Director, Global Guidance, IIA Global Board of Directors
Doris Myles, CIA, CPA
Director of Internal Audit, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
KEY POINTS:
Introduction: Women’s Voices in Internal Audit [00:00:02 – 00:01:33]
Career Journeys Into Internal Audit [00:02:12 – 00:09:01]
Finding Your Voice in High-Stakes Conversations [00:09:01 – 00:12:14]
Confidence vs. Permission [00:12:21 – 00:15:23]
Owning Expertise and Leading the Narrative [00:15:23 – 00:18:23]
Early Career Challenges and Speaking Up [00:18:23 – 00:20:07]
Progress of Women in Internal Audit Leadership [00:20:07 – 00:21:24]
Redefining Leadership Through Empathy and Relationships [00:21:24 – 00:23:51]
Women as Strategic Leaders, Not Just Technicians [00:23:51 – 00:24:57]
The Value of Sponsorship vs. Mentorship [00:26:25 – 00:29:21]
Creating Opportunities and Building Networks [00:29:21 – 00:31:51]
Balancing Career and Personal Life [00:31:51 – 00:33:57]
Final Reflections: Passion, Risk, and Owning Your Space [00:34:03 – 00:36:02]
Closing Remarks [00:36:02 – 00:36:45]
Visit The IIA’s website for related topics and more.
IIA RELATED CONTENT:
Interested in this topic? Visit the links below for more resources:
Leading the Way — Internal Auditor Magazine (April Issue)
How Personal Branding Benefits Female Leaders
Building a Better Auditor: Celebrating Women Who Paved the Way
Internal Auditing Competency Framework
Vison 2035
Become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Follow All Things Internal Audit:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Libsyn
Deezer

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