October 20-21
|
Spruce Peak Lodge and Resort, Stowe, Vermont

APEX 2026

A Leadership Retreat for Peak Performing Internal Audit Leaders

Get your early access ticket

The Internal Audit Collective was built to help Internal Audit and SOX professionals learn from peers, exchange practical ideas, and build stronger connections across the profession.

Now we’re bringing that community together in person for APEX in Vermont.

APEX is a first-of-its-kind Internal Audit “Working” Leadership Conference that brings together top performing CAEs and their directs to share strategies and tactics to succeed in 2027.

Built by Practitioners, for Practitioners
Agenda and presentations are practitioner-driven with the intent to help others implement, and not to sell or promote
Who’s in the Room
Attendance is intentionally limited to 80 internal audit leaders to maximize the opportunities to learn and connect with your peers.
Intentful Relationships
Assigned seating to put you next to the right people. Expect conversations that are immediately relevant to your work.
Working Sessions, Not Lectures
10 Keynote “working” presentations where audience members interact with presenters and perform group-work with their IAC peers.
Templates Over Theory
Every session focuses on the “how-to.” You'll leave with frameworks and templates you can actually use.

2026 Speakers

Brianna Bazzy

Director Internal Audit
Okta

Rachel Tressy

Executive Vice President, Chief Auditor
Voya Financial, Inc.

Alan Maran

Chief Auditor Executive
Chewy, Inc

Emmanuel Benton

Director Professional Practices Group
Verizon

Linda Piazzaroli

Vice President Division Audit Director
Voya Financial, Inc.

Beth Womwesley

Vice President of Corporate Assurance & Risk
Slide

Doug Hardesty

Chief Audit Executive/ Leader

Dave Malcom

Founder, CISO
Malcom Risk Advisors

Joe Earl

Director, Internal Audit
Sutter health

Jan Murry

Internal Audit Executive
GE Aerospace

Tom O'Reilly

Founder Internal Audit Collective

Event Agenda

Here’s a look at the sessions, discussions, and conversations planned for APEX.

Time End Session Speaker Duration
8:30 AM 8:50 AM Welcome to Apex! Tom O'Reilly 20 min
8:55 AM 10:10 AM A Modern Take on the Internal Audit Risk Assessment Emmanuel Benton 75 min
10:10 AM 10:30 AM Networking Break 20 min
10:35 AM 11:50 AM IA's Increasing Role with ERM Beth Womersley 75 min
11:55 AM 12:55 PM Lunch 60 min
1:00 PM 2:00 PM How-To Perform a Cyber Risk Assessment for a More Targeted Audit Plan Dave Malcolm 60 min
2:05 PM 3:20 PM Coordinating with the 2nd Line and Influencing Leadership Rachel Tressy 75 min
3:25 PM 3:55 PM Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Social (PM Networking Break) 30 min
4:00 PM 5:15 PM IA's Advisory PlayBook Doug Hardesty 75 min
Time End Session Speaker Duration
8:30 AM 9:30 AM Opening Keynote (TBD) Speaker TBD 60 min
9:35 AM 10:50 AM From 90 to 35 Days — Improving Audit Reporting Jan Murry 75 min
10:50 AM 11:10 AM Networking Break 20 min
11:10 AM 12:10 PM A Leader's Role in Learning and Adopting AI Alan Maran 60 min
12:15 PM 1:15 PM Lunch 60 min
1:15 PM 2:30 PM Change Management Strategies for Teamwide AI Adoption Joe Earl 75 min
2:30 PM 2:50 PM Networking Break 20 min
2:50 PM 4:00 PM The Role of the AI Operator Speaker TBD 75 min
4:00 PM 5:15 PM The Operating Rhythm of Internal Audit Leadership Tom O'Reilly 60 min

Early Access Tickets

Early access pricing is available now for a limited number of attendees. Secure your spot today.

Early Access

Available to the first 20 seats
Designed for the CMOs and VPs of Marketing at Drive. Closed-door working sessions, peer-led discussions, and private events for marketing executives only.
2 full days of working sessions
Hosted breakfast and lunch
Welcome reception
Ben n Jerry’s Ice Cream Social
Plus
1:1 strategy meeting with Tom
Complimentary headshot session
Pilot access to our new CAE Leadership Forum kicking off in July 2026
Member Rate

$1,295

Register Now
Non-Member Rate

$1,695

Register Now

Advanced Registration

Available to the first/next [x] seats
Designed for the CMOs and VPs of Marketing at Drive. Closed-door working sessions, peer-led discussions, and private events for marketing executives only.
2 full days of working sessions
Hosted breakfast and lunch
Welcome reception
Ben n Jerry’s Ice Cream Social
Plus
1:1 strategy meeting with Tom
Complimentary headshot session
Member Rate

$1,295

Only 20 seats left!
Register Now
Non-Member Rate

$1,295

Only 20 seats left!
Register Now
Coming Soon

General Admission

Available to the first/next [x] seats
Designed for the CMOs and VPs of Marketing at Drive. Closed-door working sessions, peer-led discussions, and private events for marketing executives only.
2 full days of working sessions
Hosted breakfast and lunch
Welcome reception
Ben n Jerry’s Ice Cream Social
Member Rate

$1,295

Only 20 seats left!
Register Now
Non-Member Rate

$1,295

Only 20 seats left!
Register Now
Coming Soon

For Consultants

Consultant attendance is limited to maintain a practitioner-focused experience.

A Community-First Experience

APEX is intentionally designed to be an intimate, practitioner-focused experience.

Attendance is reserved for Internal Audit Collective members to help create more candid conversations, stronger peer connections, and a collaborative environment during the event.

Not yet a member? Join the Internal Audit Collective to access APEX registration and become part of the community. Get a $100 off when you sign up for both.

Join us in Vermont

APEX will take place in Vermont from October 20–21, 2026.

We’ve reserved a limited number of rooms for attendees at the The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, VT, but additional hotel options will be available nearby.

Available till Sept 17, 2026

Interested in Sponsoring APEX?

Email tom@internalauditcollective.com to learn more about our 2026 sponsorship opportunities.

Work in Internal Audit is changing rapidly.

Teams are being asked to navigate new technology, growing complexity, and increasing pressure to modernize.APEX will take place in Vermont from October 20–21, 2026.

That’s why APEX exists.

Not just to sit through presentations, but to bring together practitioners who understand the realities of the profession and are willing to openly share ideas, challenges, and experiences with one another.

Because some of the most valuable conversations happen outside the day-to-day, when practitioners can to step back, connect with peers, and learn from people navigating the same challenges.

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional event details, hotel information, registration policies, and agenda updates will continue to be added as we get closer to the event.

Still have questions? Reach out to Priscilla Serrano from the Internal Audit Collective team at Priscilla@Internalauditcollective.comand we’ll be happy to help!

Where will APEX be held?

THE LODGE AT SPRUCE PEAK 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672

What time does APEX start? What time does it end?

APEX starts with a welcome reception on Monday, October 19th with our Welcome Reception. the APEX programming will wrap on Wednesday, October 21st at 5 PM. Plan to leave in the morning on Thursday, October 22nd if you want to stay for everything.

Does my ticket purchase include food?

Yes, we'll serve breakfast and lunch both days at APEX.  Coffee/other beverages all day. We'll also serve hors d'oeuvres and drinks at our Welcome Reception. There are plenty of options for food so don't worry about going hungry. If you have dietary restrictions, we'll confirm with you before the event, so don't worry everyone will eat!

Should I stay for both days?

Yes, absolutely. Both days we'll have speakers, networking opportunities and workshops you won't want to miss

How should I pack for APEX?

There's no formal dress code. Wear whatever you'd wear at home. The weather can fluctuate this time of year so a mix of clothing is probably best, but you'll check the weather before you come up. Also: we recommend bringing some workout clothes / activewear so you can explore and you'll need them if you participate in any hiking.

Where should I stay?

Hotel booking link is listed above. If you'd like to stay on-site where the whole event is happening, then you should stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak.

What airport should I fly into?

Burlington International Airport

How do I receive Internal Audit Collective member pricing?

You must be an active member of Internal Audit Collective Membership before registering for the event to qualify for the pricing.