In Era of Digital Disruption, ISACA is Ready to Rise to the Occasion

Much of what I learned about being a professional – and being part of a professional community – came through my association with ISACA.

As the first person in my family to graduate from college, I entered the workforce hungry for the educational resources, networking and professional growth opportunities to make an impact. ISACA provided that and much more, allowing me to envision and embark upon a career trajectory that otherwise would not have been possible.

My professional development was accelerated by pursuing ISACA volunteer opportunities such as helping to coordinate local conferences, which allowed me to make valuable industry contacts and build my project management skills. Eventually I became president of ISACA’s Greater Washington DC Chapter, providing another important opportunity to expand my skill set and learn more about the audit and assurance, governance, risk, and information and cyber security professions. Serving on several ISACA committees and on the board of directors provided further enrichment, both professionally and personally, as I am fortunate to have built treasured relationships with many of ISACA’s 130,000-plus members worldwide.

Now, as the newly installed chair of ISACA’s board of directors, I am grateful for the opportunity to help lead the organization that has provided me so much fulfillment. I’m privileged to work with and on behalf of our global professional community to advance the positive potential of technology in the professions that we serve and society as a whole.

ISACA is nearing its 50-year mark, and with technology-driven challenges and opportunities all around us, there is no doubt we are more relevant than ever. In addition to ongoing activities building toward our 50th anniversary in 2019, there is so much to accomplish in the year ahead. Cultivating a deeper pipeline of leaders in our professions through the Leadership Development Advisory Council, building toward greater societal impact through a revitalized foundation and ensuring ISACA’s Connecting Women Leaders in Technology program becomes even more robust and influential are among many projects for which there is promising momentum.

As we anticipate the progress ahead, I want to express my appreciation for the many contributions of our outgoing board members, as well as our outgoing board chair, Chris Dimitriadis. Chris has led with a calm and good-natured approach, steering ISACA through a period of growth and change while making sure that local chapters and all members of our community are heard and included.

I am delighted that Chris will be part of the smart, dedicated and diverse group of board members for 2017-2018 that will help shape ISACA’s vibrant future:

• Theresa Grafenstine, CISA, CGEIT, CRISC, CPA, CISSP, CIA, CGMA, CGAP, chair
• Rob Clyde, CISM, vice-chair
• Brennan Baybeck, CISM, CISSP, CISA, CRISC, director
• Zubin Chagpar, CISA, CISM, PMP, director
• Peter Christiaans, CISA, CISM, CRISC, PMP, director
• Hironori Goto, CISA, CISM, CGEIT, CRISC, ABCP, director
• Mike Hughes, CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, director
• Leonard Ong, CISA, CISM, CGEIT, CRISC, CFE, CIS, CISSP, CPP, CSSCP, ISSAP, ISSMP, PMP, director
• R.V. Raghu, CISA, CRISC, director
• Jo Stewart-Rattray, CISA, CISM, CGEIT, CRISC, director
• Ted Wolff, CISA, director
• Tichaona Zororo, CISA, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, CIA, CRMA, director
• Chris Dimitriadis, CISA, CISM, CRISC, ISO 20000 LA, director and past board chair
• Robert E Stroud, CGEIT, CRISC, director and past board chair
• Tony Hayes, CGEIT, AFCHSE, CHE, FACS, FCPA, FIIA, director and past board chair
• Matt Loeb, CGEIT, director and CEO

While the board will work diligently on ISACA’s behalf, it will take a team effort – all of us collaborating as ONE – to achieve all that we can. We live in a world that is grappling with widespread digital disruption. ISACA can and must be a leading voice in providing a sense of assurance and security as professionals and enterprises navigate a challenging technology landscape.

I know how influential ISACA can be, as evidenced by my own journey. I am proud of what ISACA has meant for myself and so many others, but more than anything, I am energized about the future that we can build together.

Theresa Grafenstine, CISA, CGEIT, CRISC, CPA, CISSP, CIA, CGMA, CGAP, chair of ISACA’s Board of Directors and inspector general of the U.S. House of Representatives

[ISACA Now Blog]