June 2026

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · Jun 10, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Dr. Rainer Lenz Honored with Gardener of Governance™ Award at Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz

Dr. Rainer Lenz has been recognized with the prestigious Gardener of Governance™ Award at Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany. This award highlights his significant contributions to fostering strong governance principles and practices, an area of increasing importance for internal audit and assurance professionals. His work underscores the value of cultivating robust governance frameworks within organizations, a critical element for effective risk management and ethical operations.

News & Blogs · Europe Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · Jun 9, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Dedo Doku and Habibe Kaya Receive Inaugural Gardener of Governance™ Award for Contributions to Internal Audit Thought Leadership

The inaugural Gardener of Governance™ Award at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz recognizes outstanding student contributions to governance and internal auditing. This initiative highlights the importance of fostering critical thinking and new perspectives among emerging professionals, with the winning papers exploring the ethos of internal audit and relational coordination theory in GRC. For audit and assurance professionals, this underscores the value of academic engagement in shaping the future of the profession and identifying innovative approaches to governance, risk, and compliance.

News & Blogs · Europe Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · Jun 8, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Dr. Rainer Lenz Announces H2 2026 Global Speaking Engagements on Governance and Internal Audit

Dr. Rainer Lenz has unveiled his speaking schedule for the second half of 2026, featuring engagements across Europe. These appearances will focus on critical topics such as governance, internal audit, and driving meaningful change, offering valuable insights for assurance professionals navigating evolving corporate landscapes. The schedule highlights the ongoing importance of thought leadership in shaping the future of internal audit practices.

News & Blogs · Europe Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · May 30, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Dr. Rainer Lenz's "Gardener of Governance" Concept Explored in New Explainer Video

Dr. Rainer Lenz's "Gardener of Governance" concept, which emphasizes the collaborative nature of effective governance, is now featured in an explainer video created by Dr. Suhaily Shahimi from the University of Malaya. This collaboration highlights the importance of shared responsibility and interconnectedness in fostering robust governance frameworks, offering a fresh perspective for internal audit and assurance professionals on how to cultivate a thriving organizational environment.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · May 29, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Call to Relaunch Larry B. Sawyer Internal Audit Foundation Project of the Year Award

Dr. Rainer Lenz advocates for the re-establishment of the Larry B. Sawyer Internal Audit Foundation Project of the Year Award, emphasizing its relevance in fostering innovation and addressing emerging challenges within the internal audit profession. This initiative would complement existing student scholarships and encourage research aligned with Sawyer's forward-thinking vision, particularly as the profession navigates significant changes and aims for its Vision 2035.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · May 26, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Simona Varga Recognized as First 'Gardener of Governance' Ambassador for Internal Audit in Hungary

This article highlights the recognition of Simona Varga as the inaugural 'Gardener of Governance' Ambassador in Hungary, a concept aimed at fostering growth and development within the internal audit profession. For audit and assurance professionals, this signifies the growing international adoption and recognition of innovative frameworks designed to enhance the strategic value and impact of internal audit.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · May 26, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Audit Beacon Podcast: Shaping the Future of Internal Audit with Strategic Thinking and Integrated Assurance

This podcast episode, featuring prominent internal audit leaders, delves into the evolving landscape of internal audit, emphasizing that its future hinges not on increased auditing but on superior strategic thinking. For audit and assurance professionals, this discussion highlights the critical need to cultivate attributes like judgment, courage, and foresight, alongside embracing integrated assurance and human-centric leadership, to maintain relevance and value in an AI-driven world.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

drrainerlenz.wordpress.com · May 25, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

Dr. Rainer Lenz Reflects on the 11th Audit Masters in Lisbon, Highlighting the 'Gardener of Governance' Concept

Dr. Rainer Lenz shares insights from the 11th Audit Masters event in Lisbon, where he served as chair and speaker. He emphasizes the educational and inspiring nature of the conference, particularly his presentation on 'The Gardener of Governance™' metaphor for internal auditors. This recap offers internal audit professionals a glimpse into key industry discussions and a unique conceptual framework for their role.

News & Blogs · Europe Read more

radicalcompliance.com · Jun 11, 2026 · Curated 1 month ago

CFTC Sweetens Whistleblower Pot, Raising Stakes for Internal Audit in Prediction Markets

The CFTC is proposing significant changes to its whistleblower program, including a presumptive 30% payout for awards under $5 million. This move, coupled with the CFTC's expanded regulatory scope into prediction markets, means internal audit and assurance professionals must re-evaluate their organizations' exposure to new fraud risks and the potential for employees to bypass internal reporting in favor of direct regulatory whistleblowing.

News & Blogs · Global Read more

linkedin.com · Curated 1 month ago

AI Risk Tier: Why Human Review Doesn't Change Classification and What it Means for Governance

Recent actions by the European Commission and the Florida Attorney General highlight a critical misunderstanding in AI governance: adding a human reviewer does not alter an AI system's inherent risk classification. This article emphasizes that risk classification is a foundational step, distinct from human oversight, and introduces the 'Risk Classification Record' as a crucial artifact for robust AI governance, detailing its components and the accountability it demands from organizations.

News & Blogs · Global Read more