As Nilufer K. Shroff concludes her tenure as Princeton University's inaugural vice president and chief audit and compliance officer, her nearly two decades of transformative leadership offer a blueprint for risk management in academia.

A Transformative Leadership Era Concludes

In July 2024, Nilufer K. Shroff concluded her remarkable 17-year tenure at Princeton University, leaving behind a fundamentally transformed audit and compliance landscape. Appointed in 2007 as the institution's first vice president to hold this dual role, Shroff established herself as a visionary in higher education risk management.

Under her leadership, Princeton's internal audit, compliance, and risk management operations underwent comprehensive modernization. The university developed robust systems capable of navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Building a Risk-Aware Culture

Shroff's signature achievement was the implementation of a university-wide enterprise risk management framework. This systematic approach enabled Princeton to identify, assess, and mitigate risks across all operations while fostering institutional accountability.

"Nilufer created a culture where risk awareness became integral to decision-making at all levels," noted Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber. "Her work established new standards for transparency that strengthened our entire governance structure."

The framework proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing the administration with data-driven insights to navigate unprecedented challenges while maintaining operational continuity.

International Recognition for Excellence

In September 2024, Princeton's Office of Audit and Compliance (OAC) received the highest possible rating from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) in its quality assessment review. The evaluation confirmed the office's practices met all standards of the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).

This external validation underscored the maturity of Princeton's audit function under Shroff's leadership, positioning the university as a model for peer institutions grappling with similar compliance challenges.

Collaborative Leadership Style

Colleagues frequently highlighted Shroff's distinctive leadership approach that balanced rigorous standards with collaborative problem-solving. As a member of both the President's Cabinet and the Executive Risk Management Committee, she shaped institutional strategy while maintaining the independence crucial to her role.

Executive Vice President Katie Callow-Wright observed, "Nilufer's ability to translate complex compliance requirements into operational priorities demonstrated remarkable strategic thinking. She cultivated a proactive risk mitigation culture that enhanced our entire governance capability."

Leadership Transition in Higher Education

Shroff's departure coincides with broader discussions about leadership succession in academia. As institutions face mounting regulatory scrutiny and operational complexity, the Princeton case study offers valuable insights.

The university has engaged executive search firm Opus Partners to identify Shroff's successor, emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity in the robust compliance systems she established. This transition process highlights the growing recognition of audit and compliance functions as strategic priorities rather than mere administrative requirements.

A Model for Academic Governance

Shroff's tenure demonstrates how effective risk management can serve as an enabling function rather than a restrictive one. By integrating compliance considerations into strategic planning, Princeton enhanced its ability to pursue ambitious institutional goals while maintaining rigorous oversight.

As higher education institutions worldwide confront evolving challenges—from cybersecurity threats to research integrity concerns—the Princeton model offers a compelling approach to balancing innovation with accountability. Shroff's legacy will likely influence academic governance practices for years to come.