Scaling GRC Engineering: The Definitive Guide w/ Akhila Chitiprolu from Sierra | S2E3

Mar 18, 2025

Akhila Chitiprolu, Head of GRC at Sierra and former leader at Stripe, Expedia, and T-Mobile, reveals her journey from engineering to GRC leadership. She discusses transforming traditional compliance into scalable, engineering-driven programs. Key insights include automating controls for efficiency, engaging auditors early to build trust, and the importance of collaboration between technical and non-technical teams. Akhila also shares practical strategies for navigating compliance challenges and the need for continuous innovation to streamline GRC processes.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

The Evolution of GRC: From Engineering to Integrated Compliance

02:35 • 2min

Navigating GRC Challenges

04:25 • 5min

Evolving Perspectives on GRC in Engineering

09:10 • 16min

Navigating Compliance and Auditing in Modern Businesses

25:30 • 4min

Engaging Auditors and GRC Strategies

29:45 • 9min

Navigating Engineer Compliance: Strategies for Effective Collaboration

38:59 • 2min

Scaling GRC Engineering: Strategies for Success

41:29 • 16min

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In this episode of The GRC Engineering Podcast, host Ayoub Fandi speaks with Akhila Chitiprolu, head of GRC at Sierra and former GRC leader at Stripe, Expedia, and T-Mobile.

Akhila shares her journey from engineering to GRC leadership and offers deep insights on transforming traditional compliance into engineering-driven programs that scale with modern technology companies.

Drawing from over a decade of experience across tech, fintech, telecom, and AI, she provides practical strategies for building GRC Engineering capabilities from the ground up.

Whether you're just starting your GRC Engineering journey or looking to scale existing efforts, this episode provides tactical advice on:

- Transforming control design for automation and scalability

- Convincing traditional auditors to accept API-driven evidence

- Building the business case for GRC Engineering investments

- Developing effective collaborations between technical and non-technical GRC staff

- Measuring and demonstrating the value of engineering

-driven compliance

- Creating a roadmap for continuous control monitoring

Key topics covered:

00:00 Introduction and guest background

02:58 Evolution of GRC: From spreadsheets to engineering-driven approaches

04:05 The biggest pain point: Evidence collection at scale across multiple frameworks

05:38 Why control design matters more than evidence automation alone

11:20 The tipping point for GRC Engineering adoption in organizations

13:30 Breaking down GRC process phases and where engineering adds value

26:52 How to work with auditors on engineering evidence and build trust

31:53 Build vs. Buy: Finding the right approach for your organization size

37:10 Building relationships with engineering teams through shared pain points

39:33 How compliance can become an engineering roadmap for platform teams

42:04 Key principles for scaling GRC Engineering programs beyond initial wins

48:19 GRC Engineers & Analysts: Working together effectively across skill sets

53:41 The magic wand question: Asset to control view and community education