Valerie Nlend

Background

Valerie Nlend is an accounting professional with more than twenty years of experience in accounting and auditing, with specialized expertise in technical accounting, audit methodology, information systems controls, regulatory compliance, risk‑based assurance and corporate governance. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, and she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Nlend currently leads the internal audit function at a global actuarial firm, overseeing audit activities in more than thirty countries and advising the Audit Committee and Board of Directors on governance, risk management and internal controls.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Nlend enjoys traveling, spending time with family and volunteering. Through the Doctorate in Business Administration program, she seeks to strengthen her strategic thinking and leadership effectiveness and develop evidence‑based solutions to modern audit challenges involving emerging technologies and data integrity. She also hopes to contribute to higher education as a college professor.

Research Interest

Nlend’s research focuses on how internal audit functions can evolve from traditional assurance providers into proactive, integrated and strategically aligned business partners. She is particularly interested in strategic decision‑making, risk management, risk‑based audit methodologies, AI governance and data privacy.