Life At Protiviti Life At Protiviti Careers Home Career Blogs Who We Are Lesley Gaudio and the Power of Innovation Lesley GaudioIf you ask Lesley Gaudio what makes Protiviti’s brand stand out, she won’t point to a logo on a billboard or a perfectly polished commercial. Instead, she’ll talk about cupcakes, resilience, and the power of authentic storytelling. In Lesley’s world, innovation isn’t just an abstract concept—it’s a way of thinking that transforms how connections are built. "We moved away from simply endorsing excellence. We became part of our ambassadors’ success stories." The Foundation: From Sports Arenas to Corporate StrategyLesley’s path to Protiviti was shaped by a passion for sports and community. Starting her career at Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, she learned how sponsorships could go beyond transactions to create meaningful impacts. Later, at Allianz, she managed global partnerships with the Olympics and Formula E, developing a knack for aligning brand strategy with business goals.When she joined Protiviti as Senior Brand and Sponsorships Programs Manager, Lesley brought this expertise with her—but she wasn’t content to follow the usual playbook. “I wanted to be at the intersection of sports, community, and brand experience,” she shares. Protiviti’s commitment to fostering integrity, inclusion, innovation, and commitment to excellence gave her the freedom to reimagine what sponsorships could achieve.Innovation in Practice: Telling Stories That MatterFor Lesley, the turning point came when she realised sponsorships could be more than just logos and signage. Protiviti’s golf ambassador program is about strategy, resilience, and connection—values that mirror Protiviti’s own. Rather than relying on traditional advertising, Lesley leaned into storytelling. She created experiences with ambassadors like professional golfers Matt Fitzpatrick and Jen Kupcho that showcased not just their achievements, but how their journeys reflect Protiviti’s values.“We moved away from simply endorsing excellence,” Lesley explains. “We became part of our ambassadors’ success stories. For Matt, we highlight how Protiviti’s data-driven insights help him prepare for tournaments. With Jen, we celebrate her resilience and accomplishments, which resonate with women in business and leadership.”This approach has yielded remarkable results. “Cupcakes with Kupcho” and the “Pro Tips Powered by Protiviti” series were recognised for creative excellence in the 2025 American Graphic Design Awards. But more importantly, these initiatives have fostered genuine connections—with clients, employees, and audiences alike.Data-Driven Decisions, Human-Centered OutcomesAt Protiviti, innovation isn’t just about creativity—it’s also about strategy. Lesley uses data to determine where Protiviti’s brand appears, focusing on markets with high employee concentration and client engagement. Whether it’s a Premier League match, a WNBA game, or Aaron Judge’s historic 300th home run at Chicago’s White Sox stadium, Protiviti ensures its presence is both meaningful and impactful.The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Clients find the videos and podcasts engaging, gaining deeper insights into Protiviti and its ambassadors. Employees feel a sense of pride when they see their company represented in iconic venues or on Netflix’s “Full Swing.” Even YouTube analytics tell a compelling story: Protiviti’s golf content outperforms traditional consulting videos, attracting longer views and wider audiences.Looking Ahead: Expanding the HorizonLesley envisions a future where Protiviti’s sponsorships extend beyond sports to include arts, culture, and other affinity-based partnerships. Her goal is to connect with people in ways that align with their passions, delivering experiences that inspire and delight.On a personal note, she’s preparing for her own new adventure—welcoming her first child, a baby girl, this September. An endeavor she’s found has made her curiosity and drive to innovate even stronger.Why It Matters: We DeliverLesley Gaudio’s story is a testament to Protiviti’s commitment to innovation: not just as a value, but as a way of working. And Lesley’s efforts exemplify the firm’s mission to deliver, showing how empowered employees can elevate brand awareness, create authentic connections, and drive meaningful results.For experienced professionals, Lesley’s journey is proof that Protiviti is a place where bold ideas thrive. For clients, it’s a promise that Protiviti approaches every partnership with creativity and strategy. Want to learn more? Explore Protiviti’s innovative programs, reach out to see how we can work together, or connect with Lesley to celebrate her journey. Innovation is alive here—and you could be part of what’s next.Discover Protiviti | Connect with Lesley Gaudio More stories of our people Sofia Palacios: Originally from Venezuela, found consulting through a Protiviti mentorship, which led to an internship and a successful full-time role. Her dedication to learning, growth, and team support exemplifies Life at Protiviti. Champaigne Powell: As a senior recruiter on Protiviti’s recruiting team, Champaigne spends a lot of her time working closely with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Lindsey Higgins: Since transitioning from a contractor to a full-time employee, Lindsey has thrived at Protiviti. “Everyone has taken me under their wing and genuinely supported me,” she says. “I’ve never felt that way in a company before.” Aimee Bhakthavachalam: Aimee journey at Protiviti showcases her relentless drive for growth and innovation, tackling client data challenges, embracing new skills, and committing to continuous learning, problem-solving, and excellence. Bart Bradley: Bart's journey at Protiviti exemplifies visionary leadership and innovation. Tasked with creating the Americas Delivery Center, he embraced new ideas, built a strong foundation, and cultivated a team that delivers consistent excellence. Nick Ciafardini: Nick combined his passion for sports and data analytics to help develop an app that improved golfer Matt Fitzpatrick's game. This project showcased how technology and collaboration can drive success in sports performance. Chintan Thakkar: Chintan’s journey from teen immigrant to Managing Director in Dallas embodies the essence of collaboration at Protiviti. His story of bridging gaps and uniting diverse perspectives showcases how collaboration drives our success. Joshua Cloud: Manager Joshua excels in cybersecurity at Protiviti while leading diversity efforts through BEING Men, fostering a culture of inclusivity. Brittany Parker: Brittany drives recognition programs that elevate employee morale and client experiences, fostering a culture of gratitude and innovation across the global team. Keeva Stuart: Keeva’s dedication to pushing creative boundaries to deliver efficient solutions for clients and her belief in the strength of teamwork elevate the firm’s capabilities and enhance client outcomes. Aimee Mills: Aimee embodies the values of Life At Protiviti by pursuing leadership growth through INSPIRE and driving community impact with the Women’s Global Education Project, showing a commitment beyond business to prioritise care for all. Cara Sylvers: As Associate Director in IAFA and President of BEING, Cara Sylvers fosters an inclusive culture while delivering client-centric strategies at Protiviti. Branson Brade: Manager in Technology Consulting at Protiviti, guides clients in evaluating Business Continuity programs. He emphasises team integration and mutual respect for successful client engagement. Sydney Brown: A Senior Consultant at Protiviti in Tampa, drives client success through innovative solutions, process enhancements and an enduring commitment to inclusion. Ken Thomas: Managing Director at Protiviti, drives business transformation through strategic leadership, inclusion and innovative solutions. Chenell York: Chenell cares about delivering exceptional experiences. Through work with clients and internal teams alike, Chenell is focused on pioneering innovative, impactful solutions. Kenisha Babwah: Kenisha was looking for a clear career trajectory, variety, and a way to further her passion for cybersecurity. She hit the mark when she joined Protiviti's Managed Security Services & Security Operations. Michael Jacobs: Michael initiated a transformative hackathon at Protiviti, fostering learning and innovation. This event drew 500+ employees globally, enhancing skills in cryptocurrency and transaction monitoring. Jessica Wang: For Jessica, it’s all about connections. By building strong, collaborative relationships for our clients and with her peers, she helps drive successful enterprise business solutions, fosters innovation and drives long-term impact. Rich Miller: Rich blends his passion for innovation and creation with his extensive tech expertise to deliver AI solutions for clients via Protiviti’s AI Studio. Craig Burgon: Craig is a driving force in Protiviti’s digital transformation. As an early adopter of Gen AI tools, he now plays a key role in increasing adoption across teams and delivering impactful client solutions. Ryan O’Shea: Ryan understands the importance of asking the right questions. His journey from intern to consultant in lender due diligence highlights the value Protiviti places on curiosity to drive both personal growth and client success. Kevin Kong: Based in Los Angeles, He is a Risk and Compliance Analytics leader at Protiviti. He merges data-driven strategies with actionable insights to deliver impactful solutions that drive client success. Jeremy Wildhaber: Jeremy is a leader in Internal Audit Tech Enablement, driving automation, AI, analytics, and audit tools for audit and compliance teams. Merlin Eck: Merlin connects business and technology, driving innovation and efficiency at Protiviti through his unique ability to bridge these two worlds. Molly Aganza: Molly iss passionate about keeping people – and Whale Sharks – safe. Whether securing end-users or aiding research in the Maldives, Molly embodies our commitment to Care through meaningful impact. BB Bynum: BB makes learning an experience—not a checkbox. A dynamic leader at Protiviti, she empowers people to lead, grow, and show up fully, creating programs that fuel performance and drive real client impact. Kalabe Haile: Kalabe doesn’t just build AI solutions—he creates momentum by delivering smart, scalable solutions that transform client operations and unlock new value. Previous Article Pagination Next Article See More