Dr. Rainer Lenz in

Dr. Rainer Lenz

Login to view DISC.
Chief Internal Auditor at SAF-HOLLAND Group
📍 Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Area, Germany

Prof. Dr. Rainer Lenz is the Chief Internal Auditor at SAF-HOLLAND Group and an Honorary Professor at the University of Pretoria. A recognized thought leader with over 30 years of experience, he holds a PhD in Economics and is known for creating the influential "Gardener of Governance™" concept for internal auditors.

His passion lies in bridging academic theory with professional practice through his university roles and mentorship. He founded his private practice, AaA Audit and Advisory, to cultivate excellence in governance and empower audit leaders, turning his professional philosophy into a personal mission. People who have worked with him often call him a "thought leader", "humanistic", and "creative".

His influential "Gardener of Governance™" article has been translated into more than 25 languages, showing its significant global impact.

Read the full overview →
Current Role
Chief Internal Auditor
Location
Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Area, Germany
Personality Overview

How Dr. shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

Behavioral traits and communication patterns that shape how this person evaluates opportunities, builds trust, and makes decisions in professional settings.

Login to view personality overview.
Priorities

Topics Dr. cares about

Gardener of Governance™
His signature metaphor for modern internal auditing, which he has developed into a book, a global movement, and the foundation of his advisory practice.
Audit Leadership
As a Chief Internal Auditor with a Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL), he actively mentors the next generation of audit executives through his firm.
+4 more topics Login to view topics
Career

Work history

11-2018
Chief Internal Auditor
SAF-HOLLAND Group
12-2025
Honorary Professor
University of Pretoria
1-2022
University Lecturer
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
10-2025
Founder & CEO
AaA Audit and Advisory
2-2025
Member Board of Directors
The Leadership Academy for Guardians of Governance
In the press

Media appearances

No media yetWe could not find public media appearances for this person.
Education
2009 - 2013
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Louvain School of Management
2010 - 2010
Business Excellence Programme
Cranfield School of Management
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

Dominance, influence, steadiness, and calculativeness scores with guidance on how this person prefers to communicate and decide.

Login to view DISC.

More profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Shelley Wooten
Shelley Wooten
General Manager / Human Resources Manager
Inn At The Market
 Paulo Fragoso
Paulo Fragoso
Tech Executive Advisor
Bridgewhat
 Nofal Abdulhadi نوفل عبدالهادي
Nofal Abdulhadi نوفل عبدالهادي
Board Member
المركز الوطني لتنمية القطاع غير الربحي | National Center for Non-Profit Sector
 Deborah Moe
Deborah Moe
Chief Marketing Officer
Boston Ballet
Unlock the full playbookSee exactly how to sell to Dr.. Free, 10 seconds.