ACUA 2026 Slate

Biography

Kara Kearney-Saylor is the Ethics Officer and Director of Internal Audit at the University at Buffalo, brings over 20 years of experience in higher education auditing and 15+ years of dedicated volunteer service to the Association of College and University Auditors (ACUA). A Certified Internal Auditor and holder of the Certification in Risk Management Assurance, Kara is passionate about advancing the internal audit profession through strategic leadership, collaboration, and member engagement. She was honored with ACUA’s Rising Star Award in 2018. 

Kara began her ACUA volunteer journey with the Membership Committee, playing a pivotal role by focusing on reconnecting with lapsed members and engaging new ones. Her leadership trajectory includes serving as a conference proctor, presenter, mentor, committee chair, and board member, which has given her a comprehensive understanding of ACUA’s operations, governance, and member needs. Since 2013, she has presented numerous times at ACUA conferences and webinars, sharing practical insights and supporting professional growth across the higher education audit community. 

As Chair of ACUA’s Standards and Best Practices Committee, Kara launched the Data Analytics Subcommittee, which produced seven data analytics Kick Starters that continue to elevate data analytics capabilities amongst members. In addition, Kara has authored Kick Starters, contributing to ACUA’s body of practical, member-focused resources.  

Beyond ACUA, Kara has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting the internal audit profession. She served as the Academic Relations Committee Chair for the Western New York Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), speaking with high school and college students about careers in internal audit, helping cultivate the next generation of auditors. She has also presented at EACUBO, MISTI, and IIA events. 

Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Kara enjoys reading, practicing barre, and cheering at her daughter’s lacrosse games.

Personal Statement

ACUA has had a profound impact on my career, and I feel a deep responsibility to pay that forward. From my first conference, I found not just colleagues, but mentors and lifelong friends. The generosity and collaboration of ACUA members have shaped my professional journey and inspired my commitment to supporting others. 

Because of what ACUA has given me, I am passionate about helping the next generation of auditors build confidence, grow professionally, and feel connected within our community. Mentorship and networking are not just ideas ACUA promotes; they are experiences that transform careers, and I am dedicated to creating those opportunities for others. 

To me, ACUA is more than a professional organization. It is a community built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. As our profession evolves, ACUA plays a critical role in helping members navigate emerging challenges, from advancing technologies like AI to maintaining institutional trust and accountability. I am committed to ensuring ACUA continues to provide relevant resources, forward-looking guidance, and a strong professional network. 

Serving ACUA is personal, it is my opportunity to give back and ensure this community continues to thrive. 

Let’s connect and we can elevate our profession, inspire one another, and create a lasting impact through advocacy, innovation, and shared purpose!

Biography

Andre’ N. McMillan serves as the Senior Director of Internal Audit, where he leads his team in providing risk-based assurance and advisory services.  Andre’ has over 21 years of auditing and accounting experience, including four years in public accounting with Baker Tilly.  Prior to joining the University of Delaware, Andre’ worked as a Grant Manager for the Reinvestment Fund.   

Andre’ earned his Master of Science in Business Analytics and Information Management from the University of Delaware, and his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University.  In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Information Systems from Radford University and is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Andre’ currently serves as a member of the ACUA Board, acting as the Professional Education Committee (PEC) Board Liaison, and participates in the ACUA mentoring program. During his tenure as PEC’s Board Liaison, he has helped drive several key initiatives, including the launch of AuditCon Early, the expansion of CPE hours for AuditCon, and the development of a needs assessment for ACUA’s potential learning management system. 

He has also been highly engaged in a variety of volunteer roles within ACUA, including Recognition Committee Board Liaison, proctoring, track coordination, Marketing Taskforce, and presenting at both virtual webinars and AuditCon. In recognition of his contributions, Andre’ received ACUA’s Rising Star Award in 2022. 

Beyond his ACUA and professional accomplishments, Andre’ has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to community service, volunteering with nonprofit organizations for over 16 years. He currently serves as Treasurer and a member of the Investment Committee for The Common Market’s Board. Additionally, he has served on the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Personal Statement

It has been a privilege to serve as Board Member-at-Large, and I would be honored to continue my service as Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President. I have been actively volunteering with ACUA for over 11 years, during which time the organization has played a meaningful role in enhancing my career and professional growth. 

I value the opportunity to contribute to ACUA, an organization that has provided me with extensive resources, connections, and leadership opportunities. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to continuous self-improvement and to developing the individuals I lead. 

I bring a high degree of initiative, sound judgment, and thoughtful decision-making, along with strengths in strategic planning, operational leadership, and organizational effectiveness. I am committed to fostering collaborative, cooperative teambuilding while maintaining a balanced focus on both members and mission. 

My professional experience, combined with my long-standing volunteer leadership within ACUA, positions me to effectively contribute to the role. I would like to serve as a Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President to give back to the ACUA community and the internal audit profession. 

Biography

Hollie Andrus is the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) at the University of Utah. Throughout her career, she has been involved in auditing higher education financial statements, federal compliance, healthcare, and athletics programs. The last 3 years she has been able to lead the university’s internal audit team of 12 auditors. She enjoys the higher education environment and performing risk-based audits to help “the U” improve its processes and controls to best navigate this complex, constantly changing industry. Hollie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University and then worked at a regional public accounting firm in San Francisco, CA. She returned home to Utah and began a new phase of her career at the State of Utah’s Office of the State Auditor, learning every aspect of auditing from staff auditor to Deputy State Auditor. It is here where Hollie was introduced to the wonderful world of higher education internal audit. 

Hollie is currently volunteering with ACUA’s Auditing & Accounting Principles Subcommittee, which is part of the Best Practices Committee, and has enjoyed moderating virtual roundtables and presenting at ACUA’s 2026 virtual conference. Two of her favorite career opportunities are teaching and sharing her passion for audit with others. 

In addition to volunteering with ACUA, Hollie has volunteered with her local chapter for the Institute of Internal Auditors, serving as president elect and president, and the Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants, where she served as a member-at-large, president, and past president. She has also been an adjunct professor at Westminster College. She also volunteers teaching piano to lower income kids. 

Gardening, travel, baking, and reading are a few of her favorite non-audit activities. 

Personal Statement

I am honored to be considered for this role. This association and its members have welcomed me; given me a sense of community; and have shared insights, tools, and support. The members I have met through the association are some of the most inspiring people I have met in my career. I have been influenced by those at smaller institutions, the “one-person-does-it-all”s, those at institutions with large teams, and those at all the institutions in between. It is all you across the association that I am committed to serving in this role. You will be at the forefront of my mind, if given the opportunity to serve, as I work to help ACUA become the best professional association possible.

I am passionate about internal auditing and want to share this passion with you. Volunteering in this role would be one way I could “give back” to what I believe is the best profession, in the best industry.

Biography

Natalie McNish is the Director of Internal Audit & Risk Management for Missouri State University (MSU) located in Springfield, MO. In this role, she serves as the head of internal auditing, leads enterprise risk management activities, and facilitates the custodian of records, conflict of interest, and ethics hotlines. Prior to joining the MSU team, she was a Senior Auditor & Training Coordinator for the Missouri State Auditor’s Office for nearly 11 years. She holds certifications as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and a Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) and is working toward her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation currently.  

Natalie has volunteered with ACUA for approximately four years as a speaker at both AuditCon and Audit Interactive conferences and has helped co-author a kick starter “Campus Bookstores” in March 2025 and co-taught a webinar on the same topic in 2026. Natalie has currently spent a portion of her time working with other colleges and universities to combat ghost student fraud sweeping our industry.  

Natalie has also served as the Programing Chair, Senior Vice-President, President, and now Past-President of her local Institute of Internal Audit (IIA) chapter and is also a member of the University Risk Management & Insurance Association (URMIA), and Association Certified of Fraud Examiners (ACFE).  

Beyond her professional life, Natalie is a wife and mother of two very busy young men. In her “spare” time, she also serves as the Mayor of Marshfield, MO, a member of the Marshfield Planning & Zoning Commission, and several other public/civic organizations.

Personal Statement

ACUA has been an invaluable resource for me and my small team. Since attending my first conference in 2021, I have felt more supported than ever through ACUA membership and the willingness of fellow members to share their resources, experiences, and advice. I appreciate how the Board responds to member needs in a timely manner and advocates for our shared interests as new IIA standards and other industry changes emerge. It would be an honor to serve alongside this team and help advance ACUA and its membership in strategic, value-driven ways. 

Biography

Jordan believes the most effective auditors do more than identify risk. They help organizations navigate change, build trust, and move forward with confidence. With more than 17 years of internal audit experience, including 15 years in higher education, Jordan has built a career around helping organizations strengthen accountability, think strategically, and lead with purpose.  

As Deputy Director of Internal Audit at Mississippi State University, Jordan provides leadership for the audit function, overseeing audit, advisory, and investigative services and frequently advising on university-wide initiatives and task forces. Prior to her current role, she gained global experience with FedEx, leading audit engagements across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. She later served as Associate Director of the MSU Alumni Association, where she played a key role in the donor engagement strategy that secured the largest gift in MSU’s history. 

A 15-year ACUA member, Jordan is passionate about advancing the profession through service, collaboration, and innovation. As Connect ACUA Director since 2024, she has led the task force that reimagined the organization’s online community platform, resulting in the successful 2025 launch of a redesigned member experience. She has also contributed to ACUA’s Logo Redesign Task Force, serves on both the AI and Communications Committees, and has facilitated roundtables on AI’s evolving role in higher education. Jordan has presented at multiple ACUA conferences, volunteered repeatedly as a session proctor, and participated in Quality Assurance Reviews for ACUA peers. 

A two-time MSU graduate, Jordan earned undergraduate degrees in International Business and Spanish, along with a Master of Business Administration. She also holds the Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner designations. Jordan has served as Membership Chair and Assistant Secretary for the Memphis Chapter of the IIA, and as President of both the MSU College of Business Young Alumni Advisory Board and Junior Auxiliary. Outside of work, Jordan enjoys MSU athletics, traveling, and cheering on her son from the sidelines. 

Personal Statement

It would be a tremendous honor to serve ACUA as a Board Member-at-Large. For more than a decade, ACUA has been instrumental in my professional growth, challenging me, connecting me with exceptional colleagues, and shaping the auditor and leader I am today. The opportunity to give back to an organization that has shaped my career is one I would deeply value. 

My volunteer service has shown me what ACUA can accomplish when engaged members are committed to moving our profession forward. Through leading the Connect ACUA redesign and facilitating roundtables on AI in higher education auditing, I have seen firsthand how the right tools, conversations, and relationships can strengthen our community and help members stay ahead of change. I want to help ACUA continue expanding opportunities for members to connect, learn from one another, and share innovative practices, ranging from creative approaches to stretching limited resources to navigating emerging technology and AI. 

If elected, I will bring energy, strategic perspective, and a proven commitment to service. I would be honored to help ensure ACUA remains the trusted resource our members rely on.