
The State of Black Professionals in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) – 2026 Survey & Report is a flagship research initiative led by the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals (NABCRMP). This effort represents a critical step toward building a data-driven understanding of the GRC profession—one that has historically lacked comprehensive, disaggregated insights on the experiences of Black professionals.
This study is designed to establish the first industry-wide benchmark examining key dimensions of the GRC workforce, including representation, organizational structure, career mobility, compensation, workplace experience, and emerging trends such as the adoption of artificial intelligence in compliance and risk functions.
By capturing both quantitative and qualitative data across a diverse cross-section of professionals, the survey will provide a nuanced view of:
This initiative is not only about measurement, it is about creating a foundation for accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making across the profession. The insights generated will support organizations, leaders, and practitioners in developing more effective strategies to strengthen the GRC workforce and foster sustainable career growth.
Findings from this research will be compiled into the State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Report, which will serve as a foundational resource for the profession. The report will be formally unveiled at the NABCRMP Annual Summit, establishing it as a cornerstone of the organization’s annual programming and thought leadership.
Over time, this initiative will evolve into an annual benchmark, enabling the tracking of trends, progress, and emerging risks within the GRC profession, positioning NABCRMP as the authoritative source for workforce insights in governance, risk, and compliance.
Download our one-page fact sheet here.
NABCRMP is conducting a landmark survey to better understand representation, career advancement, workplace experiences, and emerging trends across the profession.
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⏱ Less than 10 minutes
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In today’s data-driven world, what is not measured is often overlooked.
Despite the critical role that governance, risk, and compliance professionals play in protecting organizations and shaping ethical business practices, there is little to no comprehensive data capturing the presence, experiences, and advancement of Black professionals in the field. Without this data, their contributions, challenges, and opportunities remain largely invisible in industry-wide conversations.
This lack of visibility has real consequences.
Without data:
The State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey & Report is designed to change that.
By collecting and analyzing data across key areas such as representation, career mobility, workplace experience, and organizational structure, this initiative brings clarity to where the profession stands today—and where it needs to go.
More importantly, it transforms individual experiences into collective insight, ensuring that Black professionals in GRC are not only present in the workforce, but visible in the data that shapes decisions, policies, and the future of the profession.
This survey is not just about research.
It is about visibility, accountability, and building a foundation for meaningful progress.

The State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Report will be developed through an industry-wide survey of professionals working in governance, risk, compliance, audit, and related oversight roles.
The survey will gather insights on key areas shaping the careers and experiences of GRC professionals, including:
All responses will remain confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. Insights from the survey will be compiled into the final report and released at the NABCRMP Annual Summit.
This pillar examines how Black professionals are represented across GRC roles nationwide, exploring demographic patterns, and illuminating where representation is growing and where gaps may still exist.
This pillar explores how organizational environments shape the work and influence of GRC professionals. Understanding these dynamics provides insight into how institutional design impacts career pathways and professional impact.
This pillar examines years of experience in GRC roles, promotion patterns, salary ranges, bonus eligibility, among other factors, to establish important benchmarks related to career progression, economic opportunity, and long-term professional growth.
This pillar explores experiences related to inclusion, support, career sustainability, and factors that may contribute to decisions to leave an organization. These insights help identify opportunities to strengthen workplace environments and support long-term success.
⏱ Takes less than 10 minutes
To help ensure the quality, relevance, and integrity of the research, the State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey is being guided by the NABCRMP Research Advisory Council.
The Research Advisory Council is composed of experienced professionals from across governance, risk management, compliance, audit, cybersecurity, privacy, regulatory affairs, financial crimes, and related oversight functions. Council members represent a diverse range of industries, sectors, and leadership experiences within the GRC profession.
The Council provides strategic guidance on:
Through their expertise, the Council helps ensure that the research reflects the realities of today's GRC profession and produces meaningful insights for professionals, organizations, and industry leaders.

Dr. I. David Daniels is an occupational health and safety professional, former public safety executive, and thought leader, as well as the Founder and CEO of ID2 Solutions, LLC, and host of the Psych Health and Safety USA podcast. He is the author of Psychosocial Hazards Are Real, which is one of the first books to examine psychological h
Dr. I. David Daniels is an occupational health and safety professional, former public safety executive, and thought leader, as well as the Founder and CEO of ID2 Solutions, LLC, and host of the Psych Health and Safety USA podcast. He is the author of Psychosocial Hazards Are Real, which is one of the first books to examine psychological health and safety from an occupational health and safety perspective.
Dr. Daniels holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Services Administration, a master’s degree in human resources management, and a Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Safety. He is certified as a Safety Director, Violence Prevention Specialist, Emergency Management Specialist, and Job Hazard Analysis Specialist. He received a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University, attended the Senior Executive in State and Local Government program at Harvard University, and completed the Professional Practice in Psychological Health and Safety program through the FlourishDx Academy in Australia.

Monica Reagor is a highly respected Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) professional whose career is defined by her leadership in cybersecurity compliance, risk management, and technology innovation. Born in Springfield, Illinois, and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Monica’s professional journey spans diverse industries including b
Monica Reagor is a highly respected Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) professional whose career is defined by her leadership in cybersecurity compliance, risk management, and technology innovation. Born in Springfield, Illinois, and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Monica’s professional journey spans diverse industries including banking, electronic manufacturing, and federal and state government sectors. She holds multiple certifications, including GRCP, GRCA, and Lean Six Sigma, and is currently advancing her legal studies in Law & Policy at Liberty University.

Jennifer Newton is a seasoned legal, risk, and compliance executive with more than 17+ years of experience helping financial institutions, insurance organizations, fintechs, startups, and other regulated businesses navigate complex regulatory environments. She is the Founder and CEO of StartSmart Counsel PLLC, a law firm providing fractio
Jennifer Newton is a seasoned legal, risk, and compliance executive with more than 17+ years of experience helping financial institutions, insurance organizations, fintechs, startups, and other regulated businesses navigate complex regulatory environments. She is the Founder and CEO of StartSmart Counsel PLLC, a law firm providing fractional general counsel, compliance, and risk management solutions to growing companies. Jennifer is also the Founder and CEO of the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals (NABCRMP), a global organization dedicated to advancing professionals in governance, risk, compliance, and ethics.

Angela Crawford is an experienced legal and compliance professional who has spent over 25 years advising global companies in several sectors, including life sciences, consumer goods, software and technology, manufacturing, and nonprofit.
She regularly conducts investigations for public and private entities based on allegations of complianc
Angela Crawford is an experienced legal and compliance professional who has spent over 25 years advising global companies in several sectors, including life sciences, consumer goods, software and technology, manufacturing, and nonprofit.
She regularly conducts investigations for public and private entities based on allegations of compliance and regulatory violations, corruption, bribery, fraud, and employee and third-party misconduct, and advises clients on the development, implementation, and enhancement of ethics and compliance programs, policies, and training. Angela has led hundreds of investigations, compliance reviews, risk assessments, and trainings in over 20 countries around the world.
Angela founded her boutique law firm in February 2020, after serving as a partner for a decade at DLA Piper, one of the world’s largest law firms.

Tiffany is a seasoned healthcare and product safety leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer protection across global organizations. Her career includes leadership and advisory roles with Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, and Stryker Medical.
She currently serves as Vice
Tiffany is a seasoned healthcare and product safety leader with more than 15 years of experience advancing quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer protection across global organizations. Her career includes leadership and advisory roles with Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, and Stryker Medical.
She currently serves as Vice President of Product Safety, Quality & Regulatory at Target, where she leads the development and execution of global product safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs. Tiffany is committed to improving the safety, quality, affordability, and accessibility of products for consumers worldwide.

Reginald Parker is an enterprise compliance and risk executive with leadership experience spanning Fortune 100 retail, consumer goods, and the U.S. Air Force. He has built compliance programs from the ground up, governed enterprise risk across all 50 states, and worked at the forefront of AI governance in one of the world’s largest retail
Reginald Parker is an enterprise compliance and risk executive with leadership experience spanning Fortune 100 retail, consumer goods, and the U.S. Air Force. He has built compliance programs from the ground up, governed enterprise risk across all 50 states, and worked at the forefront of AI governance in one of the world’s largest retail organizations. He holds a J.D., LL.M., and the Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) designation, completed the Black Leaders Program through Stanford GSB Executive Education, and holds executive education credentials from Harvard and Duke. A founding member and current Board Chair of NABCRMP, Reginald brings both the practitioner’s depth and an organizational leader’s perspective to advancing the visibility and mobility of Black professionals across the GRC profession.

Bruk is a rising senior at the University of Southern California pursuing a degree in Quantitative Biology with a minor in Risk Management. His background combines expertise in data analytics, research, and risk assessment, with experience applying quantitative methods to complex healthcare and business challenges.
He has conducted biostat
Bruk is a rising senior at the University of Southern California pursuing a degree in Quantitative Biology with a minor in Risk Management. His background combines expertise in data analytics, research, and risk assessment, with experience applying quantitative methods to complex healthcare and business challenges.
He has conducted biostatistical research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, analyzing clinical datasets to identify trends and disparities in health outcomes. As a Genomics Research Fellow at USC, he works with large-scale genomic datasets to evaluate disease risk across diverse populations. He also contributed to the development of an educational technology product at Microsoft that was implemented across global learning environments.

NABCRMP is assembling a Research Advisory Council to help guide the development of this landmark report.
Council members will provide strategic insight to ensure the research reflects industry relevance, methodological rigor, and meaningful interpretation of the findings.
Commitment
Interested in participating or nominating a colleague?
Contact us to learn more.
Help shape the first benchmark study examining the experiences and career pathways of Black professionals in Governance, Risk, and Compliance.
Your insights will help create a clearer picture of representation, leadership progression, workplace experiences, and the evolving future of the GRC profession.
The survey will take approximately 10–15 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential and reported only in aggregate form.
Add your voice to the research and help inform the future of the profession.
Thank you for contributing to the State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey. Your participation is helping build one of the first comprehensive benchmarks examining the experiences of Black professionals across the GRC profession.
Now, help us expand the impact.
Share the survey with your colleagues, professional networks, employee resource groups, industry associations, and fellow GRC professionals.
The more voices we hear, the stronger the data becomes.
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NABCRMP is proud to launch the State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey, a landmark research initiative designed to create one of the first comprehensive benchmarks examining the experiences of Black professionals across governance, risk, compliance, audit, privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory affairs, financial crimes, and related oversight functions.
This research will explore representation, career mobility, compensation, workplace experience, organizational influence, and the future impact of AI on the profession.
Your experience matters. Your voice matters.
Help us build the data that will shape future conversations across the GRC profession.
⏱Less than 10 minutes to complete
#StateOfBlackGRC #NABCRMP #GovernanceRiskCompliance #RiskManagement #Compliance #InternalAudit #Cybersecurity #DataPrivacy
For years, important conversations about representation, advancement, compensation, workplace culture, and leadership in GRC have often relied on anecdotes rather than data.
The State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey seeks to help change that.
By participating, you are contributing to research that will provide valuable workforce intelligence for professionals, employers, researchers, and industry leaders.
What gets measured gets seen.
Help us create a stronger understanding of the realities, opportunities, and challenges shaping the profession today.
#StateOfBlackGRC #NABCRMP #GRCLeadership #RiskManagement #Compliance #FutureOfWork
What are we measuring?
The State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey examines six key areas shaping the profession:
• Workforce Representation
• Career Mobility & Leadership Advancement
• Compensation & Promotion Trends
• Workplace Experience & Retention
• Organizational Structure & Influence
• AI & the Future of Work
Together, these areas provide a comprehensive picture of the experiences and opportunities shaping Black professionals across governance, risk, compliance, audit, privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory affairs, and related oversight functions.
Help us build the first benchmark of Black professionals in GRC.
⏱ Survey completion time: Less than 10 minutes
#StateOfBlackGRC #NABCRMP #GovernanceRiskCompliance #RiskManagement #Compliance #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork
We can't wait to share with you our findings.
Mark your calendars. The report launches October 2026!
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Your experience matters.
Take the State of Black Professionals in GRC – 2026 Survey and help shape one of the first comprehensive reports on representation, career mobility, compensation, workplace experience, and the future of the profession.
⏱ Less than 10 minutes
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