IIA Announces Excellence and CIA Award Winners, Unveils Key Academic and Certification Enhancements at International Conference in Toronto
Press Release | July 15, 2025
Toronto, Canada – July 15, 2025 – The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) kicked off its 2025 International Conference in Toronto this week, welcoming more than 2,600 internal audit leaders from around the world to explore the disruptive trends shaping the profession and the future of The IIA.
On opening day, IIA President and CEO, Anthony Pugliese, joined Terry Grafenstine, Chair of the IIA Global Board of Directors, for a keynote presentation, Risk. Reimagined. Together, they examined the trends reshaping the risk environment, including the global impact of emerging technology and escalating geopolitical tensions, and explored how internal auditors can continue to drive value and strengthen relevancy in an increasingly complex risk landscape.
During the conference, The IIA also celebrated the winners of this year’s association awards and unveiled several key updates across its academic, certification, and professional development programs, reinforcing the association’s commitment to advancing internal audit profession worldwide.
IIA Excellence Awards
The recipients of this year’s IIA Excellence Awards, which shine a spotlight on outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact on the profession, were announced on opening day. With more 250 nominations submitted from over 45 countries, the awards reflect both the global reach and prestige of this recognition. Given the exceptional talent pool, several winners were selected across multiple categories, with representation from Ukraine, UAE, USA, Canada, Malta, Chile, Brazil, Kenya, Australia, Germany, and Singapore. To view the full list of winners, visit The Internal Auditor Magazine.
Global CIA Awards
The IIA also honored the top global performers in its certification programs, recognizing three individuals for their outstanding achievements. The awardees, who passed their exams on the first attempt, earned the highest scores globally.
Rebecca Elfes from The IIA United Kingdom and Ireland was awarded the top overall performer for the CIA, while John Abraham Ramos of The IIA Philippines was awarded the top CIA Student. Rafiuddin Mohammed Mohiuddin of The IIA Bahrain was named the top performer for the Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA).
IIA Academic, Certifications and Professional Development Enhancements
Certification Program Updates
The IIA shared several key advancements to its certifications program, including the redesigned Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) syllabi and exam, which are now aligned with the new Standards and better reflect real-world competencies, including a focus on cybersecurity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. The updated exam is currently available in English, with other languages rolling out later this year. Additional certification updates include:
- IAP: Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) designation is now a permanent certification. IAP holders only need to complete two additional exams to earn the CIA credential.
- CRMA Pathway: Candidates pursuing the Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) are no longer required to hold CIA certification as a prerequisite.
Academic Program Rebranding
The IIA also unveiled a reorganization of its academic partnership programs, with the current Internal Audit Awareness Program (IAAP) and the Internal Auditing Education Partnership (IAEP) now consolidated under a new, unified identity: the Internal Audit Academic Alliance – a comprehensive, tiered program designed to advance shared educational goals.
This reorganization provides a more flexible, modernized approach to academic outreach, featuring a strengthened curriculum, expanded research and innovation, and a collaborative global network for faculty and students.
Professional Development and Mentorship Programs
Expanding the student pipeline remains a strategic priority for The IIA. The conference highlighted several key initiatives aimed at strengthening its pre-professional programs and supporting the next generation of practitioners.
Launching in January 2026, The Internship Development program will help smaller audit teams access high-quality, trained interns while providing students with foundational business, data analytics, and internal audit skills. The Emerging Leaders Mentor Program will relaunch in November following the overwhelming success of its current cohort, which now has more than 860 mentors and mentees. Both programs will pilot in North America, with plans to expand globally. Applications open later this year.
In addition, The IIA’s new Professional Resource Hub – set to go live in Q4 of 2025 – will serve as a central destination for aspiring auditors and career changers. The platform will offer information on college courses, the skills needed to enter the profession, as well as information regarding scholarships and available job opportunities.
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The IIA’s 2025 International Conference continues through July 16, featuring world-class keynote speakers, technical sessions, and networking opportunities designed to elevate and advance the internal audit profession globally. For more information, visit: https://iiaic.org/
About The Institute of Internal Auditors
The Institute of Internal Auditors (The IIA) is an international professional association that serves more than 265,000 global members and has awarded more than 200,000 Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certifications worldwide. Established in 1941, The IIA is recognized throughout the world as the internal audit profession's leader in standards, certifications, education, research, and technical guidance. For more information, visit theiia.org.