The Institute of Internal Auditors announced last week that Stacey Schabel will serve as chair of the IIA Global Board for the 2026-2027 term. She succeeds Stefano Comotti, who served in that role for the past year.
The announcement was made during the IIA’s 2026 International Conference in Singapore.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience across global and U.S. public financial services organizations, Schabel brings extensive expertise in internal audit, risk management, and governance. She currently serves as senior vice president and global head of operational risk at RGA Reinsurance Co.
Previously, she spent more than 12 years as the chief audit executive for Jackson Financial Inc., including eight years as a member of the global internal audit leadership team at Prudential PLC.
A longtime volunteer leader with the IIA, Schabel most recently served as the 2025-2026 senior vice chair and 2024-2025 audit committee chair of the Global Board. She has also held roles on the IIA’s North American Board of Directors, North American Content Advisory Council, and Global Financial Services Guidance Committee.
“Stacey is a highly respected leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to advancing the internal audit profession and developing future leaders,” Anthony Pugliese, president and CEO of the IIA, said in a statement on June 24. “She brings extensive experience in risk, governance, and internal audit at a time when organizations are facing increasing complexity and rapid change. Stacey has long been a champion for the profession, and I look forward to partnering with her throughout her term as global chair. I am confident her leadership, perspective, and dedication will help strengthen the value and impact of internal audit around the world.”
Schabel’s platform for the year—“Risk Focused. Future Ready.”—emphasizes the critical role internal audit plays in helping organizations navigate an increasingly complex and ever-changing risk environment. As part of this platform, she will focus on:
- Solidifying internal audit as a strategic, risk-focused advisor that protects organizations and drives value.
- Leading the profession through rapid change, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
- Advancing integrated assurance efforts globally through stronger alignment across enterprise risk management and the Three Lines Model.
- Strengthening advocacy efforts worldwide while enhancing board, audit committee, and governance effectiveness.
- Investing in the next generation of internal audit professional and future leaders.
“I’m deeply honored to serve as the IIA’s chair of the Global Board at such an important moment for the profession,” Schabel said in a statement. “As the gap between strategic risks and traditional audit focuses widens, the onus is on us as practitioners to adapt our skills, methodologies, and mindsets. That is how we elevate our impact, maintain our relevance, and deliver lasting value to our organizations and stakeholders. I look forward to working alongside The IIA’s members, volunteers, chapters, and global leadership as we advance the profession into the future.”
Throughout her career, Schabel’s leadership and contributions to the profession have consistently garnered recognition, including being named a Diligent Modern Governance 100 Honoree, a Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Woman in Finance, and a Digital Insurance Women in Insurance Leadership Honoree.
The IIA also announced that Dr. Hussam Alangari will serve as senior vice chair for the 2026-2027 term and will assume the role of Global Board chair for 2027-2028.
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