Jenna, Director, Internal Audit at Nasdaq Inc: Advize Career Interview

A career in internal audit offers a dynamic and challenging path, as evidenced by a Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq Inc.

This individual's journey began with a risk management and actuarial science degree, leading to roles at Goldman Sachs and ultimately Nasdaq.

The daily work involves diverse responsibilities, including overseeing audits of legal risk, regulatory compliance, and financial risk management, utilizing data analytics and collaborating with senior management.

Key skills highlighted include inquisitiveness, effective communication, and adaptability.

The most rewarding aspects include constant learning, significant impact on company operations, and working within the ever-evolving FinTech industry.

Challenges exist, particularly in multitasking and rapid pivoting between projects, but these demands foster a sharp, nimble mind.

Success in this field requires self-sufficiency, strategic thinking, proactive ownership, and a strong professional network.

The interviewee's experiences underscore the importance of building relationships, taking initiative, and embracing opportunities for continuous learning and growth.

Early career experiences, even outside traditional professional roles, such as leading a student organization, build valuable skills transferable to professional success.

Even challenges such as gender bias can be overcome with consistent strong performance and self-belief.

This inspiring career journey showcases the potential for significant impact and continuous development within the field of internal audit.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Jenna Heffler Beth

Director, Internal Audit

Nasdaq Inc

Penn State University, 2014

N/A

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Finance

Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)

Finance

None Applicable

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Career Path Of A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq

Jenna's career path began with a risk management and actuarial science degree, followed by actuarial internships that led to a pivot toward internal audit. After eight years at Goldman Sachs specializing in risk management and treasury, where the work involved "independently assess[ing] processes and controls," a position at Nasdaq's internal audit department focusing on similar areas followed in 2022.

Career Path Of A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq

Main Responsibilities of a Director Internal Audit at Nasdaq Inc

Jenna, Director, Internal Audit at Nasdaq, oversees the audit portfolio for legal risk and regulatory compliance, encompassing a "wide list of topics" such as financial risk management and sanctions compliance. This ensures Nasdaq's operations align with regulatory expectations and risk management is acceptable to the board of directors.

Main Responsibilities of a Director Internal Audit at Nasdaq Inc

A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

A Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq experiences "every day [as] different," juggling multiple audits in various stages—from planning and fieldwork involving "a lot of data analytics," to reporting and collaborating with management on action plans. This role also includes unexpected tasks such as "due diligence reviews for mergers and acquisitions," making it a dynamic and unpredictable career.

A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Most Important Skills For A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Jenna, a Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq, highlights three crucial skills: inquisitiveness ("asking a lot of questions, probing, getting to the bottom of things"), effective communication ("efficiently and effectively, both verbally and through written reports"), and the ability to learn quickly, adapting to various audit subjects and becoming "proficient in the process." This adaptability and strong communication skills are essential for navigating the complexities of internal auditing at a large company like Nasdaq.

Most Important Skills For A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Favorite Parts Of Being A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Jenna, a Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq, thrives on the "constant challenge" her role provides, gaining continuous learning from reviewing diverse company processes and interacting with senior management across various departments. This constant exposure allows for a significant impact on "their day-to-day" operations and fosters ongoing professional development.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Jenna's biggest challenge as Director, Internal Audit at Nasdaq is the "multitasking" required to audit multiple topics simultaneously, demanding a rapid shift between diverse areas like "auditing compliance" and "risk modeling." This constant pivoting, while demanding, fosters adaptability and sharpens "nimble" thinking, making the role both challenging and exciting.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Favorite Parts of Working in FinTech and Finance as a Director, Internal Audit

Jenna, a Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq, enjoys the "growth and change" inherent in the FinTech and finance industries, finding the constant innovation and risk management associated with new technologies and ventures particularly engaging. This dynamic environment allows for continuous learning and the fascinating challenge of identifying and mitigating risk as Nasdaq enhances customer experiences.

Favorite Parts of Working in FinTech and Finance as a Director, Internal Audit

What Type Of Person Thrives In Financial Services, According To A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Nasdaq Director of Internal Audit Jenna highlights the importance of self-sufficiency and reliability in the industry, emphasizing the need for individuals who can "take a task, ask good questions, and execute it well." Success also hinges on possessing a strategic mindset, able to "see the big picture and connect the dots" to effectively navigate the dynamic environment and solve complex problems.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Financial Services, According To A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

What A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Financial Services Industry

Jenna, a Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq, emphasizes the crucial, often unsaid, aspect of proactively taking ownership, advising that "shifting your mindset to not just...doing this one task" but instead considering the broader implications and how to improve processes is key. This proactive approach, encompassing anticipating the needs of superiors and streamlining workflows, is presented as essential for career advancement.

What A Director Of Internal Audit At Nasdaq Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Financial Services Industry

Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Internal Auditors At Nasdaq Inc

Entry-level internal audit positions offer undergraduates a "bird's eye view" into various company processes, allowing them to explore different career paths within an industry. Jenna's own experience demonstrates this, as a starting internal auditor enabled her to discover a passion for auditing that shaped her career trajectory at Nasdaq.

Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Internal Auditors At Nasdaq Inc

Significant Career Lesson From A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

Jenna, a Director of Internal Audit at Nasdaq, emphasizes the significant impact of "relationship building and a strong network," advocating for proactive networking, such as "speaking up" and engaging senior management. This involves thoughtful preparation, adding value to others' work to create "meaningful interactions" resulting in a stronger professional brand and increased career opportunities.

Significant Career Lesson From A Director Internal Audit At Nasdaq Inc

College Experiences That Helped An Internal Audit Director At Nasdaq Succeed

Jenna's leadership role as president of Hillel, a "Jewish student-run nonprofit," significantly impacted their career trajectory. This experience fostered crucial skills like risk-taking, collaboration with diverse individuals, improved communication, and a significant boost in confidence—factors Jenna cites as essential to their success as a Director, Internal Audit at Nasdaq Inc.

College Experiences That Helped An Internal Audit Director At Nasdaq Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Director Internal Audit at Nasdaq's Career

Early in their career in the male-dominated finance industry, the interviewee struggled with self-doubt, noting that "being a woman...can definitely make things difficult," and that perceived positive traits could be misinterpreted negatively. However, consistent strong performance and self-acceptance ultimately built confidence, transforming initial challenges into strengths that enhanced their career trajectory.

How Identity Has Influenced a Director Internal Audit at Nasdaq's Career

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-heffler-beth-frm-107b594b