About Nikolas Feist
Audit Director
Photo by BOOM 💥 Photography on Pexels
Career
Nikolas Feist is an accomplished audit executive with extensive experience in internal audit, risk management, corporate governance, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with prominent organizations including Deloitte, Lifetouch, Shutterfly, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, LivePerson, and EMC Insurance Companies. He established the Internal Audit department and Enterprise Risk Management function at LivePerson from the ground up and has led multiple SOX and ERP implementation initiatives across global enterprises. He is recognized for building high-performance teams, developing strong audit functions, and bringing a strategic approach to helping organizations strengthen operations and navigate complex business environments.
Early life
Raised in a small town in North Dakota by a single mother who worked multiple jobs after his father passed away before he was born. Beginning at age 13, he worked at the local cafe while balancing school and athletics to help support his household. An active student, he participated in baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, drama, and Future Business Leaders of America. He demonstrated early talent for writing, earning state recognition as a student journalist, contributing to his school newspaper and yearbook, and serving as the sports writer for his local newspaper through graduation. He became the first person in his immediate family to earn a four-year college degree.
Experience
Internal Audit Director, EMC Insurance Companies
September 2025 – Present · Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Senior Director of Internal Audit, LivePerson Inc.
June 2023 – September 2025 · New York, New York, U.S.
Director of Internal Audit, LivePerson Inc.
June 2021 – May 2023 · New York, New York, U.S.
Senior Manager, SOX Project Management Office, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
March 2020 – May 2021 · Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Manager, Internal Audit, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
May 2019 – March 2020 · Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Senior Manager, Internal Audit, Shutterfly Inc.
April 2018 – May 2019 · Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Head of Internal Audit, Lifetouch Inc.
July 2015 – April 2018 · Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Senior Auditor, Internal Controls Program, Lifetouch Inc.
September 2013 – June 2015 · Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Senior Auditor, Field Audit Programs, Lifetouch Inc.
December 2007 – August 2013 · Eden Prairie, Minnesota, U.S.
Audit Senior Assistant, Deloitte
January 2007 – December 2007 · Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Education
University of North Dakota
Master of Business Administration
University of North Dakota
Bachelor of Business Administration
Cavalier High School
Boards
- International FOXG1 Foundation
- Waconia Park Board
Memberships
- Special Education Advisory Council
- Farmer's Market Advisory Council
- Waconia Park Board
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
- Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
- Six Sigma Black Belt
Interests
- Sports cars
- Porsche 911
- Lotus
- BMW
- Running
- Cycling
- Cooking
- Baking
- Trying new restaurants
- Traveling
- Art galleries
- Concerts and performances
- Consumer technology trends
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Reds
- FC Cincinnati
- University of North Dakota hockey
- Winnipeg Jets hockey
- University of Miami football