Rachel McCarthy
Rachel McCarthy is an accomplished Audit Team Leader at UF Health in Gainesville, Florida, with more than nine years of progressive experience in internal audit within a leading academic health system. She currently leads audit engagements that support effective governance, risk management, and operational excellence across the organization. Working within one of the Southeast’s most comprehensive academic health centers has strengthened her ability to connect audit insights to organizational strategy and decision-making. Rachel holds both an Associate and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and earned her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation. She is actively involved with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), where she has held multiple leadership roles within her local chapter, most recently serving as Vice President. Her professional approach is guided by integrity, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong emphasis on building trust-based relationships with stakeholders. Throughout her career progression from Audit Specialist to Staff Auditor, Senior Auditor and now Audit Team Leader, Rachel has been recognized for her thoughtful leadership style and ability to address both the technical and human sides of risk. She credits the guidance and mentorship of Dan Clayton as an important influence in her professional development, helping shape her leadership perspective and commitment to asking meaningful questions that drive improvement. Passionate about her work, Rachel is focused on continued growth while helping organizations operate with clarity, accountability, and purpose.
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Saint Leo University - BAcc
• IIA
• AHIA
• ACFE
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, consistency, and a commitment to showing up every single day — but I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of the people around me. My family, friends, and colleagues have been a constant source of encouragement, perspective, and accountability. Their belief in me, especially during challenging moments, has pushed me to keep going when it would have been easier to pause or step back.
By staying disciplined, focused, and dependable, and by leaning on a strong support system, I’ve been able to approach each responsibility with intention and follow-through. That combination of perseverance, accountability, and support has allowed me to build trust, deliver results, and continue growing both personally and professionally.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was twofold: know yourself and never underestimate the power of your voice. Early in my career, I believed success meant saying yes to everything, pushing past my limits, and staying quiet until I felt “ready.” But I learned — often through experience — that growth doesn’t come from exhaustion or silence.
I was encouraged to speak up with confidence, even when my perspective felt uncomfortable or different. Whether it was asking the right question in a meeting, advocating for a better approach, or naming a concern others were hesitant to raise, using my voice reinforced my value and strengthened my leadership. At the same time, learning to honor my limits — knowing when to step forward, when to ask for help, and when to step back — allowed me to show up more fully and sustainably.
That advice taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about self-awareness, courage, and intention. By trusting my voice and respecting my own boundaries, I’ve been able to build trust, create meaningful impact, and grow without losing myself. That lesson continues to guide me, and it’s one I carry with deep gratitude.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to never underestimate the power of your voice. Speak confidently, trust your knowledge and instincts, and own the value you bring to the table. When you show up authentically and advocate for yourself, you build credibility — and you create opportunities for growth, leadership, and lasting impact.
I would also remind them that a role is not the same as a person. Your job title does not define your potential, and your growth should never be limited to what your current role happens to need. Seek out experiences that align with your goals, not just immediate expectations. Ask for stretch opportunities, learn beyond your lane, and allow yourself to evolve — even when that growth doesn’t fit neatly into a job description.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Build a strong support system, honor your limits, and remember that success isn’t about shrinking yourself to fit a role — it’s about expanding into the leader you’re becoming.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is navigating rapid change while maintaining trust, clarity, and purpose. Healthcare and audit functions are evolving quickly — driven by regulatory complexity, data availability, technology, and growing expectations for transparency and value. Keeping pace with that change while ensuring teams stay aligned, supported, and engaged is not always easy.
At the same time, that challenge presents one of our greatest opportunities. We have the ability to move beyond our current capabilities and become true strategic partners by using data, insight, and collaboration to help organizations make better decisions and manage risk more proactively.
Another significant opportunity lies in people. Investing in diverse perspectives, developing future leaders, and creating space for thoughtful, human-centered leadership allows our work to be more impactful and sustainable. When we focus not just on what we do, but how and why we do it, we strengthen both the profession and the organizations we serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me, both at work and in my personal life, are integrity, curiosity, and respect. I try to be someone who does what they say they’re going to do and takes responsibility for their decisions, even when it’s uncomfortable. That consistency matters to me because trust — in any relationship — is built over time.
Curiosity is what keeps me moving forward. I love learning new things, asking questions, and understanding how things work and why people see things the way they do. It helps me stay open-minded and reminds me that I don’t need to have all the answers to keep growing.
Respect shows up in the way you treat people every day — listening, being thoughtful with your words, and recognizing that everyone brings something different to the table. Those values shape how I make decisions, how I work with others, and how I show up, not just professionally, but as a person.
