Ep 250: Process Improvement Starts with Curiosity w/ Genna Smith (RYAM)

This week on The Audit Podcast, we’re joined by Genna Smith, Director of Internal Audit at RYAM.   She believes process improvement starts with mindset, and that even the smallest changes can lead to real impact. In this episode, she shares how she’s using tools like ChatGPT to build SOPs from the ground up, standardize processes, and support her team through AI adoption.   We also hear how she approaches ERM, why curiosity is her top hiring trait, and how rebuilding a 2007 Forerunner taught her lessons she brings into leadership. If you’re interested in practical ways to improve your audit function or how to lead with intention, this one’s for you.   Be sure to connect with Genna on LinkedIn.   Also, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.   Also be sure to sign up for The Audit Podcast newsletter and to check the full video interview on The Audit Podcast YouTube channel.   Timecodes:   1:43 – How ChatGPT Can Support SOP Development 6:26 – Building an Effective Analytics Program 9:50 – The One Thing Every Auditor Should Do 11:15 – How Audit Can Support the Organization on Tariffs 13:05 – Playing a Key Role in ERM Facilitation 19:07 – What Successful ERM Change Looks Like 21:26 – Why Process Improvement Matters 29:00 – Demonstrating Real Impact Through Process Improvement 32:48 – Final Thoughts   *   This podcast is brought to you by Greenskies Analytics, the services firm that helps auditors leap-frog up the analytics maturity model. Their approach for launching audit analytics programs with a series of proven quick-win analytics will guarantee the results worthy of the analytics hype.  Whether your audit team needs a data strategy, methodology, governance, literacy, or anything else related to audit and analytics, schedule time with Greenskies Analytics.