Stephanie Castro
Stephanie Castro is a Digital Assurance and Transparency Senior Associate at PwC with more than four years of experience spanning IT audit, external audit, and internal audit. With an MBA from Iona University and a background in forensic psychology, she brings a rare combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and human insight to her work. She has led engagements across industries such as financial services, healthcare, technology, global marketing, and enterprise IT, helping organizations strengthen governance frameworks, manage risk, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Her core strengths include SOX compliance, SOC 1 and SOC 2 reporting, ITGC testing, cybersecurity risk evaluation, and consumer compliance oversight. Stephanie is known for assessing processes holistically—bridging the gap between technology, operations, and ethics. Whether conducting IT risk assessments, improving control environments, or supporting financial statement assurance, she delivers insights that enhance control reliability and reinforce stakeholder trust. She is also experienced in data validation, risk analytics, regulatory reviews, and process optimization, allowing her to drive both compliance and strategic improvement.
Beyond her technical capabilities, Stephanie is a trusted project leader and mentor. She oversees cross-functional teams, manages stakeholder expectations, and supports the development of junior staff. Her early career in education and leadership helped shape her collaborative and service-oriented approach. Passionate about integrity, data protection, and ethical operations, she is committed to helping organizations operate securely and responsibly in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
• Teacher Assistant, Level 3 - Certification
• Preventing and Managing Infectious Disease in Early Education and Child Care
• Teacher Assistant, Level 1 - Certification
• Child Abuse Identification
• Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
• School Violence Intervention And Prevention
• Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS)
• Iona University - MBA - 2021
• John Jay College (CUNY) - BA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuous growth while staying grounded. I push myself to keep learning and evolving, but I never lose sight of the importance of protecting balance in my life. That perspective keeps me focused, steady, and able to perform at my best.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that balance is key. Sustaining a healthy work-life balance not only protects your well-being but also empowers you to show up with clarity, energy, and purpose in everything you do.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women not to be afraid to make pivots. Your path doesn’t have to be linear—career changes can open doors, reveal new strengths, and lead you to opportunities you didn’t know existed. Embracing change is often where growth begins.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in the field right now is leading audits for high-volume clients. The complexity, pace, and expectations require strong coordination, agility, and strategic oversight. But those same demands create space to innovate, streamline processes, and deliver even greater value to clients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are being headstrong in my goals, protecting work–life balance, and prioritizing family. I’m married with three children—ages 7, 10, and 15—so staying focused while making space for the people who matter most is nonnegotiable. Those commitments keep me motivated, resilient, and grounded in everything I do.