U of M announces Quinn Gaalswyk as its new chief auditor

Following public interviews with three finalists earlier today, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents selected Quinn Gaalswyk to be the University’s next chief auditor. This hire comes following a national search by the Board after the University’s long-time chief auditor, Gail Klatt, retired in Fall 2021.

“As a Board, we have a duty to ensure the University effectively and responsibly uses every dollar it receives and that University policies are followed,” said Board of Regents Chair Ken Powell. “We can only do this with a strong partner auditing the University’s work, providing open and transparent feedback and holding us all accountable to our policies and best practices. My Board colleagues and I are pleased to have Quinn overseeing this important work.”

Gaalswyk brings extensive experience conducting University audit work, having joined the Office of Internal Audit (OIA) 14 years ago. During his time at the University, Gaalswyk has supported a broad range of responsibilities, from managing teams and overseeing significant audit and investigative work to exploring ways to improve or grow the work of OIA. Previously, Gaalswyk served as a senior auditor with global firm Ernst & Young. He also provides governance-level audit perspective to the Metropolitan Council as a member of its audit committee and recently performed a quality assessment review for Arizona State University on its internal audit function.

The University’s chief auditor provides independent assurance and advisory services to add value and improve University operations across all of its five campuses. This person leads the OIA and is responsible for designing, organizing and directing this function to continually assess whether the University’s network of risk management, internal control and governance is adequate and functioning effectively.

In keeping with standard practice for the hiring of senior leaders, the Board will act on Gaalswyk’s employment agreement at its December meeting.

The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet next on Dec. 16-17, 2021. Visit regents.umn.edu for more information.