Name: Eleanor Thomas "EllieTom" ThompsonWilson
Age: 55 52
Education: MBA from Harvard Business SchoolNorthwestern University, B.AS. in Accounting Computer Science from the Purdue University of Pennsylvania
Professional Background:
25+ years of experience in professional services firms, with a focus on audit and assurance, risk management, and complianceIT leadership roles across various industries (finance, healthcare, technology).
Focus areas: Leading large-scale audit and compliance engagements, developing new service offerings, building client relationships, and managing partner teamsIT strategy, infrastructure management, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and IT governance.
Previous roles: Partner at a Big Four accounting firm, Managing Director of Risk Advisory Services, Head of Compliance PracticeCIO at a global healthcare organization, VP of IT at a financial services firm, IT Director at a technology startup.
Special certifications or skills: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Systems Auditor Security Professional (CISACISSP), ITIL v4 Foundation, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISCthe Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
Industry: Accounting and Consulting Varies depending on the organization's focus
Responsibilities:
Oversee Develop and implement the firmorganization's audit and compliance practice, setting strategic direction and ensuring quality service delivery.
Build and maintain relationships with key clients, including C-suite executives and board members.
Lead business development efforts, identifying new opportunities and expanding the firm's client base.
Manage partner teams, providing mentorship and guidance, and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
Represent the firm at industry events and conferences, building thought leadership and brand awareness.
Goals:
Grow the firm's audit and compliance practice, increasing revenue and market share.
Establish the firm as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the industry.
Attract and retain top talent, building a high-performing team.
Maintain the firm's reputation for quality, integrity, and independence.
Challenges:
Navigating a complex and evolving regulatory landscape.
Managing client expectations and balancing competing priorities.
Maintaining profitability and managing costs in a highly competitive market.
Attracting and retaining top talent in a rapidly changing industry.
Motivations:
Making a positive impact on clients' businesses by helping them improve their risk management and compliance programs.
Building a thriving and successful practice that delivers exceptional value to clients.
Developing the next generation of leaders in the audit and compliance field.
Upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
overall IT strategy, aligning it with business objectives.
Oversee the IT infrastructure, ensuring its security, reliability, and performance.
Manage IT budgets and resource allocation.
Lead digital transformation initiatives and adoption of new technologies.
Ensure compliance with IT governance frameworks and industry standards.
Goals:
Deliver innovative and reliable IT solutions that enable business growth and efficiency.
Protect the organization's critical data and systems from cyber threats.
Optimize IT investments and maximize return on investment.
Build a high-performing IT team that is agile, adaptable, and customer-focused.
Establish IT as a strategic partner to the business, not just a support function.
Challenges:
Keeping pace with the rapid pace of technological change and emerging threats.
Managing complex and diverse IT environments, including legacy systems and cloud infrastructure.
Balancing the need for innovation with cost control and risk management.
Attracting and retaining top IT talent in a competitive market.
Motivations:
Leveraging technology to drive business transformation and create competitive advantage.
Building a world-class IT organization that is respected and valued by the organization.
Solving complex IT challenges and finding innovative solutions.
Mentoring and developing the next generation of IT leaders.
Tech-Savviness:
Highly tech-savvy , with a deep understanding of the role of technology in audit and compliancevarious technologies, platforms, and architectures.
Proficient in using audit software, data analytics tools, and collaboration platforms.Open to exploring new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, to enhance audit and compliance processesIT management tools, cloud platforms, and cybersecurity solutions.
Up-to-date on the latest IT trends and industry best practices.
Behavioral Traits:
Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and leadership leadership and decision-making skills.
Excellent communicator Collaborative and relationship buildercommunicative, able to connect with clients and colleagues at all levelsbuild relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Results-oriented and driven to achieve ambitious goalsfocused on delivering measurable outcomes.Passionate about audit and compliance and committed to delivering high-
quality servicesInnovative and adaptable, always seeking to improve and optimize.
Sources of Information:
Industry publications and research reports (e.g., The Journal of Accountancy, Compliance Week).Professional CIO Magazine, InformationWeek)
IT conferences and events (e.g., AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, ISACA Conference).Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, AWS re:Invent)
Analyst reports (e.g., Gartner, Forrester)
Networking with other professionals in the audit and compliance field.
Client feedback and surveys.
IT leaders and peers.
Quote:
"Our firm's success is built on trust, expertise, and a commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients. By staying at the forefront of industry trends and embracing new technologies, we can help our clients navigate complex challenges and achieve their strategic objectivesIT is no longer just a support function; it's a strategic enabler of business growth and innovation. By embracing new technologies and approaches, we can transform our organization and deliver exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders."