Inside The Auditorium Podcast: Valeria Locatelli, Chief Internal Auditor

Leadership is personal: “You won’t become the exact leader you admire—but you can build your own style.” Valeria shares how studying great leaders and asking honest questions has helped shape her own approach, built on empathy, openness, and adaptability. 

Neuroscience, psychology and self-awareness: Alongside her audit work, Valeria is studying applied neuroscience and psychology. She explains how understanding the brain has made her a better leader and auditor. From self-reflection to emotional awareness, neuroscience has given her the tools to lead and connect more meaningfully. 

Skillsets for the future: Valeria outlines three areas all auditors should be focusing on. Technical depth, clear qualification pathways aligned to future goals. Soft skills, ranging from storytelling to conflict management, are critical in influencing others. Finally, Strategic foresight, keeping pace with regulation, risk, and relevance in a fast-changing world. 

Balance, recognition and the bigger picture: Valeria reflects on winning the Mary Lou Carrington Award and being named a finalist in the Women in GRC Awards. She credits the power of a connected portfolio, where governance roles, audit experience, and a passion for education intersect. 

Why audit teams are growing in insurance: The insurance industry is changing fast, and audit is evolving with it. Valeria explains how growing risks, shifting regulations, and organisational scale all shape the size and shape of audit functions. But what matters most, she says, is value: “It’s not just about coverage. It’s about insight, relevance, and enabling the business.”