Knowledge 2023!: Get to Know the IRM Authority Team

It's officially Knowledge season, and we're thrilled to bring you the last interviewee in our series Knowledge 2023!: Get to Know the IRM Authority Team. Meet Karina Klever, our Chief Executive Officer, who has had quite the career journey, from AS 400 Operator to project management to governance and compliance expert. Karina is also CSA and CIS-Risk and Compliance certified. But that's not all - she is a Van Life guru who consistently cannot wait to hit the road with her foldable kayak. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Stay tuned to find out which ghost from the past she'd want to have dinner with and how she makes GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) as relatable as a trip to the grocery store. This interview is going to be one heck of a ride!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I began my career in April 1989 as an AS 400 Operator, moving onto programming shortly thereafter. However, I soon realized that the requirements given to me by the project manager were often inadequate, leading to project delays and issues. To address this problem, I transitioned into project management with the aim of providing developers with comprehensive and clear requirements. Over the next 15 years, I worked in project and program management, overseeing various projects across multiple industries. In 2001, I moved into the GRC audit space where I have been working for over the past 20 years.

Do you have any pets??

I've had the pleasure of sharing my home with furry friends in the past. Dogs and cats have brought me endless joy and companionship. While I'm currently pet-free, I'm eagerly looking forward to the day when I live full-time in my van and can bring a furry companion along for the ride!

If you could have dinner with anybody in the world from across history, who would have been why?

Vincent van Gogh. He was an extraordinary artist, whose brilliance was often overshadowed by the challenges he faced. Despite his undeniable talent, he was unable to sell his art and lived in poverty for much of his life. It's heartbreaking to think that during his time, no one recognized the true value of his creative genius. If only there were marketing campaigns at that time to promote his art and showcase its beauty to the world. It's a tragedy that he was not acknowledged as the exceptional artist he was until after his death. If I could speak to van Gogh today, I would tell him just how profoundly he has impacted the world. His art continues to inspire and move people, and his legacy lives on.

What is something about you most people don't know?

I'm the proud owner of a 2020 TRAVATO 59GL van which is built on a Dodge Ram chassis. It’s allowed me to explore and work from various locations across the United States. It's been a fantastic experience to pull up to client buildings and have the comfort of my own space, along with zero commute. My van is fully equipped with a kitchen and separate office and sleeping areas, which allows me to work and rest comfortably while on the road.? I always bring my foldable kayak along on my travels, so I can enjoy some tranquility on the water whenever there's a break in between meetings.? Each part of this gorgeous country has its own unique beauty to be admired, and although I’ve seen some breathtaking places around the country, it always feels like there's so much more to see.

What motivated you to join IRM authority over other companies?

IRM Authority was created to fill a gap that exists in how IRM/GRC is implemented across ServiceNow clients. We noticed that there was often a disconnect between the platform and the needs of the organization. So, we decided to heighten business functionality awareness when building platform functions. This allows the records in the platform to truly apply to the current operations of the company. We've got a pretty sweet secret sauce of professionals that has been trained to combine both technical expertise and line of business knowledge. Our goal is to showcase our talents and help support ServiceNow clients in any way we can. Collectively, IRM Authority has (many!) hundreds of years of professional experience under our belt, across all industries and levels of maturity, and we're confident in our ability to make a difference.

What does GRC mean to you and why is it significant?

Without proper governance, companies can suffer from disjointed and disconnected processes. Even areas that are running well may not have the necessary documentation to prove it when it comes time for evidence gathering. Missing policies and lack of adherence to them can also withhold guiding principles from employees. Proper GRC principles alleviates all of these concerns. By providing the necessary authority documents and policies, and implementing controls to gather evidence, companies can reduce the burden of collecting and recollecting evidence for audits. GRC helps demonstrate successful operations, identify gaps and risks, and improve risk management. Establishing and growing a GRC competency can optimize company-wide operations and functions, leading to company-wide maturity and success.

What sets you apart from others and how does it apply to the industry you’ve primarily worked in?

Although GRC can be intimidating, it applies to the entire company and I believe in making it relatable and understandable for everyone. That's why I use real-life analogies to help people comprehend potential solutions and situations. I believe it's essential to bring decision-makers to the table so they can positively influence the operations of their company and organization. However, many times they don’t understand the true impact that their decisions have.? When I see people struggling to grasp a concept, I try to use relatable examples like cars or grocery shopping, to help them connect the dots. By doing so, people can form a solid understanding and make informed decisions.

What are you looking forward to at Knowledge 2023?

I'm thrilled about the opportunity to connect with a large audience of 20,000 professionals who share my passion for deploying innovative approaches across all industries. It's always rewarding to speak with individuals who are eager to learn how a properly implemented IRM/GRC platform can simplify their work lives. I'm especially excited to attend ServiceNow's IRM, VRM, BCM, and ESG sessions, where I hope to gain valuable insights and ideas.

Where can we find you while you're in Vegas?

You'll find me catching up with old friends, making new friends and building mutually beneficial relationships on the expo floor or at one of the fantastic restaurants nearby. I'm always eager to meet new people and establish connections that can lead to future collaborations and partnerships.