Internal Audit Panel - Beyond the Checklist: Career Lessons, Leadership, and the Future of Audit

Speakers:

Darlena Granger, ONEOK

Jami Shine, QT

Cathy Carter, Retired City of Tulsa Internal Audit

Date:

October 28, 2026

Time:

11:20 am - 12:30 pm CST

Session Description:

Internal audit has evolved far beyond compliance and controls. Today's auditors are expected to be trusted advisors, strategic partners, and leaders who help organizations navigate risk, change, and emerging technologies. Join a panel of experienced internal audit professionals as they share their career journeys, lessons learned, leadership insights, and perspectives on the future of the profession.

Designed for accounting, finance, audit, and risk professionals, this interactive discussion will explore how internal auditors build influence, communicate difficult messages, leverage technology, and develop the skills for long-term career success. Panelists will also share personal experiences, advice for emerging leaders, and practical insights that attendees can apply in their own careers.

Learning Objectives:

About our Panelists:

Cathy Carter served the citizens of Tulsa for 35 years. After citizens voted to change Tulsa’s form of government in 1989, she helped create the first internal audit function at the City of Tulsa. Cathy served in many roles in her career at City Hall, including serving as Chief Risk Officer for two mayors. Cathy retired in 2013 but retirement didn’t last long. She was called to run for office and was elected as Tulsa’s City Auditor. She immediately began working to enlarge the office’s duties beyond financial audits to provide full scope internal auditing services. After eleven years in office, Cathy retired in December 2024. She remains a strong supporter of internal auditing, a profession she loves. 

Darlena Granger is a senior manager in audit services at ONEOK, Inc, with broad experience leading risk, controls, compliance, financial reporting, and operational accounting functions within the energy industry. She brings a strategic, enterprise-focused perspective to strengthening governance, innovation, and improving business processes. Her career spans internal audit, SOX 404 compliance, revenue accounting, contract review, financial disclosures preparation and review, and pipeline accounting operations. She has led cross-functional initiatives involving accounting, commercial, logistics, contracts, information technology, internal audit, and external audit stakeholders, with a focus on control effectiveness, risk mitigation, and scalable process improvement. Granger is recognized for aligning teams around complex business priorities, developing talent, and translating technical accounting, audit, and control matters into clear business actions.Granger earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Langston University. Outside of work, she spends her time with her husband, Charles, and their five children; Hannah, Abraham, Joanna, Joshua and Titus.

Bio for Jami Shine will be included shortly.

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Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

Program Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personal Development

Recommended amount of CPE: 1 hour

Program Prerequisites/Advance Preparation: None

RSVP today at: AFWA Tulsa Chapter - Meeting/Event Information

Registration Cost $25 Members and $35 Non Members

Administrative Policies: If you would like to make or cancel a reservation, please email [email protected]. Per chapter rules, if you register and do not attend or do not cancel by the Monday prior to the meeting, you will be charged the cost of the lunch/dinner.

Official National Registry Statement

The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: https://www.nasbaregistry.org/. 

Mission of AFWA

The mission of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance is to enable women in all accounting and finance fields to achieve their full potential and to contribute to their profession. For more information about the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA), please visit www.afwa.org

Note: 

Tickets

$25.00 Members

$35.00 Non-Members

$0.00 Member Ticket - Prepaid