Benito Ybarra,  CIA, CISA, CFE, CCEP - Executive VP - Global Standards, Guidance & Certifications, IIA Global

Benito Ybarra is the Executive Vice President of Global Standards, Guidance & Certifications at The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).

Benito has more than 25 years of extensive audit, compliance, and investigation experience. He possesses exceptional leadership qualities in areas such as strategic planning, large team management, a focus on culture, and a strong business acumen.

In his previous role as Chief Audit and Compliance Officer for the Texas Department of Transportation in Austin, TX, he focused on improving organizational practices, risk management, accountability, and governance through value-driven audits, evaluations, investigations, and advisory services engagements. He also served as a Texas State Department Representative to the Southwest Intergovernmental Audit Forum.

Benito has already made substantial contributions to The IIA in various senior volunteer roles. He served as Chair of the North American Board of Directors (2019-2020) and as Chair of the Global Board of Directors (2022-2023), both during pivotal periods of organizational transition. Most recently, he served as Past Chair of the Global Board of Directors. Additionally, Benito actively participated as a member of The IIA International Professional Issues and Guidance Committee and served as President of the IIA North America's Austin, Texas chapter.

Benito earned his Bachelor degree in Government and History from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP).

Dr. Hannah Fry - Professor in the Mathematics of Cities, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, UCL

Hannah Fry’s research applies to a wide range of social problems and questions, from shopping and transport to urban crime, riots and terrorism. She is a mathematician, a best-selling author, an award winning science presenter and the host of numerous popular podcasts and television shows.

In 2023, new series, The Future with Hannah Fry. launched on Bloomberg, bringing her signature intellectual heft and insight, peppered with her imitable wit to American audiences.

Her recent BBC Two documentary series The Secret Genius of Modern Life received critical acclaim and her previous documentaries include City in the Sky, Magic Numbers, The Joy of Winning, The Joy of Data, Unvaccinated, Making Sense of Cancer, and the 2018 film Contagion.

Hannah Fry regularly writes for the New Yorker, and her book, Hello World - How to be human in the age of the machine, was shortlisted for several of the world’s most prestigious non-fiction awards, winning the 2020 Asimov Prize. Through her videos on the Numberphile Youtube channel, her podcasts with DeepMind and her long running radio series The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry, Hannah is known around the world for her joyful ability to bring mathematical ideas to life for audiences of all interests and abilities.

Dr. Kamel Hothi, OBE

Dr Kamel Hothi OBE has been a trailblazer, breaking glass ceilings in the banking world for over four decades. From being the first Asian bank manager in UK to director, strategist and architect of numerous initiatives that have changed the banking industry. She is also ranked in the top 100 most influential black, Asian and minority ethnic leaders.

She was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017 for services to promote diversity across banking. 

Kamel now sits on several boards such as Advisor to The Queens Commonwealth Trust across 56 countries, on the ESG Committee of Lloyds of London, Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society, NED for TLC Lions supporting over 300 companies, and MD of her own family property business.

Gareth Davies - Comptroller and Auditor General

Gareth Davies was appointed the United Kingdom’s Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) on 1 June 2019. Before his appointment as C&AG, he was Head of Public Services at Mazars, a global accountancy firm specialising in audit, tax and advisory services. Prior to this, he was managing director of the UK Audit Commission’s Audit Practice. His experience spans financial and value for money audit, organisational leadership and Board governance. Gareth is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.