Welcome to My Version

Not your typical post about career and personal development - the one that fails to consider those who do not come from the “usual” jobs like marketing, management consulting, and finance.

I'm Stephen. You know, your typical 9-5 plus some extensions. The catch? I’m considered a specialist, working in a specific field of expertise in technology audit, risk, and regulatory compliance (e.g., SOX by the US SEC). I often find myself having to explain what I do for work at great lengths, whether in a networking event, with friends, or even in business school. I aim to inspire others to put their specific professions on the map.

Why I'm Here

I initially joined Substack to put my thoughts in the open. Eventually, I felt that I could go further.

Business schools love to promote the usual industries and fields—marketing, tech, management consulting, finance—you name it! But what about those who really run their businesses behind the scenes? Why are we not being represented? It’s as if we’re invisible to them!

I used to think people in specialized roles such as compliance, accounting, and engineering are not meant to be leaders. Turns out this is not the case at all! That is why I’m here to share my career reflections on different aspects of leadership and what I have learned over the years.

What’s next?

In addition to my career reflections, I also have the following in store, possibly in a separate Substack page:

💡 A one-stop shop for IT Audit and SOX detailing the ideal scenario for each aspect and some example scenarios. I ain’t gatekeeping!

👐🏼 Targeted career development content for IT Audit and SOX professionals, whether you are just starting or experienced and want to get some basics right.

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Subscribe to Career Reflections and Personal Development (Stephen's Version)

Not your typical check-in-the-box tech audit and risk focused on SOX and a recent MBA graduate who wishes to share my career story to inspire others and put my profession, often overlooked by business schools, on the map

People

Stephen Bernardo

@stephenbernardombacisa

Not your typical check-in-the-box risk and controls guy who wishes to share my career story to inspire others who were sidelined as "too quiet" by the so-called norm and put my profession on the map.