Donor Spotlight
Stacey Schabel, CIA
Donor, Volunteer, The IIA Global Board of Directors - Senior Vice Chair
As the Internal Audit Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are proud to recognize donors like Stacey Schabel, whose generosity helps power research and insights that strengthen the internal audit profession worldwide.
Why Stacey Gives
For Stacey, supporting the Foundation is rooted in the value internal auditors bring by looking ahead—identifying emerging risks early and helping organizations mitigate issues before they occur.
Foundation research plays a critical role in that mission. Reports such as Risk in Focus, ERM and Strategic Decision-Making, and Cyber Resiliency provide essential, data-driven insights that help internal auditors better protect their organizations and support informed strategic decisions.
A Meaningful Impact
One initiative that has been especially meaningful to Stacey is the Vision 2035 project—a future-focused research effort designed to help internal auditors align their strategies and activities with the evolving needs of stakeholders.
“Vision 2035 is such a meaningful piece of work. It helps all of us as auditors align our strategies and activities toward the future needs of our stakeholders and serve our organizations better.”
Stacey is proud to support this work and looks forward to the lasting impact it will have on the profession in the years ahead.
Why Stacey Continues to Support the Foundation
The Foundation’s commitment to tackling complex, profession-wide questions is what motivates Stacey to continue giving.
“The Foundation’s research focuses on questions none of us could answer on our own. These insights help us better structure our teams and activities to align with stakeholder expectations and support organizational success.”
A Message to Other Donors
Stacey encourages others to consider the broader impact of giving.
“Supporting the Foundation broadens your reach. Instead of helping just your own team, you’re helping the entire internal audit profession perform more effectively.”
She also notes the added impact of employer matching gift programs, sharing that her own organization has matched past donations dollar-for-dollar—doubling the support for the Foundation’s mission.
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Donor, Chapter Leader, Member of Chapter Relations Committee (CRC)
I was initially inspired to become a donor after I learned of some of the initiatives the Foundation takes on to support and advance the Internal Audit profession. Specifically, the research offered by the Foundation are timely and relevant to the challenges and changes that occur in business. I have gained valuable insights through reading their publications over the years about auditing corporate culture, changes to the audit profession and expectations, and the impact of IT innovation and change (just to name a few).
Additionally, I think the work the Foundation does to support colleges, universities, and students is invaluable. When I was in college, there was a lot of focus on external auditing, and not a lot of focus on internal auditing. I didn’t even know internal audit was a thing. After stumbling into my career, I have learned what an important function internal audit is to an organization. Our skills provide insight, perspective, and assurance to the board and management through our work to analyze the organization’s objectives with corresponding risks and controls. It is so exciting to see the rising generation of professionals learn about our important profession!
I feel like I can share in some of the success of the outputs of the Foundation, knowing that I am a part of that through my contributions. I continue to support the Foundation because I recognize the value they provide to the profession through research, as well as their work to introduce the internal audit profession early to emerging professionals.
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Donor, Senior Advisor IA Foundation Vision 2035 Project, Volunteer, Former Chapter Leader, Retired CAE
Supporting the Internal Audit Foundation is making an investment in the future of the profession that benefits internal audit professionals and stakeholders. Recently, I had the opportunity to be a senior advisor on the Vision 2035 project. Being a part of this project was an enlightening and rewarding experience. This groundbreaking research project provides a roadmap for all internal audit professionals and the IIA by identifying key steps the profession must take to become strategic advisors to fulfill its purpose defined in the Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS).
As a member of the Vision 2035 project team, I worked closely with lead Foundation team and multiple other project collaborators. I learned that the Foundation has a high caliber team and a solid research process that ensures every piece of research released will add value to the profession. In my 20 plus years as a CAE, I have used Foundation research reports to improve internal audit functions. CAEs and internal audit professionals can comfortably leverage research reports from the Foundation knowing that the reports are backed by sound actionable research.
I also value the partnership support the Foundation provides to colleges, universities, professors and students. Both the Internal Audit Awareness Program (IAEP) and the Internal Auditing Education Partnership (IAEP) increase student awareness of internal audit and prepare students for a career in internal audit. These programs are investing in the next generation of internal audit professionals who can fill the pipeline needs of internal audit functions around the world.
I will continue to support the Foundation so that it can timely produce high-quality research that elevates and drives the success of the profession and fuels the talent pipeline with well-prepared students.
