The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) on Thursday announced longtime President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Chambers plans to step down at the end of March.

Chambers has been at the head of the audit education-focused organization since January 2009. The IIA said in a press release that his decision came following months of personal reflection, and Chambers cited the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in commenting on his departure.

“Serving as CEO of the IIA has been the honor of a lifetime,” Chambers said, “but we are at a critical juncture. The association industry in general, and the IIA in particular, will likely look quite different post-COVID-19. The IIA has a strong foundation and outstanding leadership, so I am confident a new CEO with fresh ideas and perspectives will ably execute bold, decisive, and agile strategies to address this new frontier.”

The IIA said it plans to begin a global search for a new CEO immediately.

Chambers’ announcement comes the same week as the IIA published a major overhaul to its widely utilized “Three Lines Model.” He led the organization to record membership, certifications, and financial performance during his time as CEO.

Chambers’ tenure as head of the IIA is the second-longest in the organization’s history, behind Bradford Cadmus (1947-62).

The IIA on Thursday also announced the election of its 2020-21 global board of directors, with South Africa’s Jenitha John named chair of the board. John will preside over the 17-member board and is expected to emphasize the role agility plays in internal audit, particularly during times of crisis, as the theme of her tenure.