Page 6 - IAT

President’s Communique

Leading with Purpose: Making DEI

a Cornerstone of IA Excellence

Dear Members,
As I pen my thoughts for this edition of the or sustainability-driven business
Internal Audit Today, I am reminded of how models. Tackling these requires a
Internal Audit (IA), at its very core, is about team that includes tech enthusiasts,
fostering trust, transparency, and resilience. Today, ethical thinkers, environmentalists,
as we stand at the crossroads of a rapidly changing and operational veterans. This Burzin Dubash
global landscape, one theme has emerged as both mosaic of perspectives enables IA to President, IIA India
a challenge and an opportunity—Diversity, Equity, remain future-ready and relevant.
and Inclusion (DEI). DEI is not just a buzzword
or a fleeting trend; it is a transformative principle Creating Inclusive Audit Teams
that shapes the way we work, think, and thrive as To embed DEI into the DNA of internal auditing, we
professionals. In the world of internal auditing, must go beyond intent and take action:
where the scope of our responsibilities spans
governance, risk, and control across diverse Recruitment: Actively seek talent from
underrepresented groups, ensuring the broadest range
industries and geographies, embracing DEI is of perspectives.
more than a moral imperative—it is a strategic
advantage. Development: Provide equal opportunities for growth
through mentorship programmes, cross-functional
Collaboration as Our Keystone exposure, and leadership roles.

Internal auditing has always been a collaborative Belonging: Foster a culture where individuals feel safe
endeavour. Our role requires us to interact with expressing their ideas and challenging norms without
individuals across functions, hierarchies, and fear of bias.
cultural backgrounds. In this interconnected The Road Ahead
environment, collaboration thrives when
inclusivity is prioritised. Diverse teams, united by As we look to the future, let us view DEI not as
a shared purpose, are better equipped to identify an endpoint but as a journey—one that requires
blind spots, challenge assumptions, and bring continuous commitment. As an institute, we have
innovative solutions to the fore. As auditors, we the responsibility to lead by example. By making
must build environments where every voice is DEI a cornerstone of our practices, we can elevate
valued, and every perspective contributes to the the effectiveness of internal audit and inspire the
collective strength of the team. organisations we serve to follow suit.

Diversity of Thought: The Catalyst for
Innovation Let us remember that our strength lies in our ability to
see beyond boundaries, collaborate beyond differences,
The complexity of modern business demands and innovate beyond conventions. Together, as a
that internal auditors bring more than technical diverse and inclusive community of internal auditors,
expertise to the table. We must cultivate diversity we can rise to meet the challenges of tomorrow and set
of thought, drawing from varied experiences, a benchmark for excellence.
skills, and worldviews. A team that reflects a
spectrum of cultural, generational, or professional Kind regards
perspectives can uncover risks and opportunities
that a homogenous group might overlook. Burzin Dubash
Take, for instance, the challenges posed by
emerging technologies like artificial intelligence

2 | EDITORIAL INTERNAL AUDIT TODAY