High-Stakes Conversations: Keeping Oversight Independent
In today’s environment of intense scrutiny and fragile public trust, independence in oversight roles is not just a legal safeguard—it is a mindset and a discipline. This powerful session features a conversation between Dr. Toby Groves and Deborah Witzburg, Inspector General of the City of Chicago, exploring the deeper dimensions of independence within high-stakes oversight environments.
Through real-world examples and legislative insights, the session examines both structural and operational independence, and how each can be tested by cultural, political, and psychological pressures. Attendees will explore how to protect objectivity under fire, build systems that resist interference, and communicate oversight findings with clarity and impact. This session offers both inspiration and practical tools for oversight professionals committed to credibility, resilience, and long-term public trust.
Major Subjects
- Structural vs. operational independence and their role in oversight integrity
- Threats to objectivity, including political pressure, legal interference, and internal bias
- Transparent communication strategies that foster public trust
- Designing oversight systems and workflows that institutionalize independence
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish between structural and operational independence, and identify weaknesses in each within an organizational context
- Apply techniques to recognize and reduce threats to objectivity, including external interference and internal bias
- Develop communication strategies that balance transparency with confidentiality to enhance public trust and stakeholder confidence
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Designed For: Auditors, inspectors general, compliance professionals, investigators, and other accountability professionals working in high-stakes oversight roles across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors.
Program level: Intermediate
Field of study: Management Services
Prerequisites: 2 years of experience in auditing, regulatory, or oversight-related roles
Advanced Preparation: None
CPE hours: 1
Method of Delivery: Group Internet Based
