Michael Moody Retires After Transformative Tenure as MIT's Institute Auditor

Michael J. Moody will retire in October 2026 after serving as MIT's Institute Auditor since 2014, concluding a 40-year career in internal and external auditing. Under his leadership, MIT's Audit Division underwent significant modernization while strengthening institutional safeguards across academic and administrative functions.

Structural Foundations and Independence

The MIT Audit Division maintains a dual reporting structure that ensures operational independence while enabling effective oversight. Moody's team reports directly to the MIT Corporation Risk and Audit Committee while receiving administrative support from the Office of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer. This structure creates clear separation between audit functions and operational management.

"Mike is highly principled and rigorous with detail, earning our committee's trust," says Pat Callahan, chair of the Risk and Audit Committee. "The committee runs like clockwork because of Mike's dedication and skill."

Michael Moody guided MIT's audit function through significant modernization during his 12-year tenure

Transformative Initiatives

Moody spearheaded several foundational improvements:

1. Charter Formalization: Established MIT's first Audit Division Charter codifying independence standards and accountability frameworks
2. Quality Assurance: Implemented external quality reviews, achieving the highest possible rating for audit effectiveness
3. Data-Driven Auditing: Hired dedicated data analysts in 2016 and founded the cross-Institute Data Analysts and Data Scientists (DADS) group to advance analytical capabilities
4. AI Governance: Launched the MIT AI Cohort in 2025, bringing together representatives from Sloan School, Koch Institute, and other units to develop AI implementation frameworks with embedded risk controls

Collaborative Approach

Moody emphasized relationship-building across MIT's ecosystem, developing core values of professionalism, objectivity, and constructive communication. This approach transformed audit interactions from compliance checks to collaborative problem-solving.

"Mike has been an invaluable partner," says Suzy Nelson, MIT Vice Chancellor for Student Life. "His collaborative approach helped us improve areas from student organization management to support services, always aligning with program goals and student safety."

Audit Division staff Suwen Duan and Erin Coates received Infinite Mile Awards for their contributions

Professional Legacy

Before joining MIT, Moody held audit positions at Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC). He holds certified internal auditor (CIA), certified information systems auditor (CISA), and certified in risk management assurance (CRMA) credentials.

"I'm most proud of assembling a team that made positive changes to how MIT operates," Moody reflects. "Having leaders and researchers reach out for advice demonstrates the strong relationships we built."

Executive Vice President Glen Shor and Risk and Audit Committee Chair Pat Callahan will launch a search for Moody's successor in fall 2026. Moody's tenure leaves MIT with strengthened governance infrastructure, advanced data capabilities, and a collaborative audit culture aligned with the Institute's research mission.