People, Presence and, Perspective In this episode, we're joined by Karen Albert, Vice President and Head of Internal Audit at Constellium, a global leader in value-added aluminum products. With more than 25 years of experience spanning banking, manufacturing, and Big Four consulting, Karen brings a powerful combination of operational, IT, and strategic insight to the internal audit profession. She is deeply committed to service − both within her organization and the broader community − through her long-standing nonprofit board work. Known for her clarity, empathy, and people-first approach, Karen is leading internal audit into a future defined by relationship-building, innovation, and impact. Karen shares how her early foundation shaped her distinct audit lens − one grounded in curiosity, systems thinking, and empathy. As a champion of heart-led leadership, she offers tangible practices for building authentic relationships across an organization − especially in a profession that still wrestles with outdated perceptions. Karen speaks candidly about what’s working, where internal audit still struggles, and the quiet challenges many auditors hesitate to confront. Whether you lead a team of two or twenty-two, this episode invites you to think differently about your role, your impact, and the legacy you’re building every day. Episode Breakdown 2:12 – Data Roots, Audit Rise 8:21 – Through a Sociologist’s Lens 8:21 – Heart-Led Leadership 13:14 – Empathy In Action 16:22 – Creating Intentional Touchpoints 24:01 – Balanced Independence 33:22 – Redefining Audit Perception 38:05 – Future-Ready Auditing 49:03 – Audit the AI 50:37 – Leading Beyond Audit 52:44 – Step Into Service 55:10 – Relationships That Endure 57:12 – Leaving a Lasting Impression Be sure to connect with Karen Albert on LinkedIn. And be sure to follow Inspiring Women in Audit on LinkedIn, and connect with Tracie. Join the Exclusive Inspiring Women in Audit LinkedIn Group: This group is dedicated to empowering and uplifting women in the internal audit profession, providing a supportive space for women to share their journeys, insights, and expertise. By fostering meaningful connections, we aim to inspire, encourage, and drive transformative change within the industry. Join us to celebrate the achievements of women in audit and to be part of a community that values and amplifies your unique perspectives and experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This podcast is brought to you by i4 Global Results Limited and Amplify Your Audit Results, the audit communication experts dedicated to transforming your audit reporting and your audit results through communication, optimization, and collaboration. Schedule time with us.
