EP48 | Leadership Lessons from Botswana’s Pioneering Woman CEO: Regina Vaka on Surviving Crisis

In this powerful episode of the GrowthWell Podcast, Mr. K sits down with Regina Vaka, one of Botswana’s most decorated women in business. A lawyer by training, Vaka rose to become CEO of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Botswana Life, and later founded BonaLife Insurance — the first citizen-owned life insurer in Botswana. Her journey has been one of resilience, vision, and transformation. Regina reflects on her accidental entry into corporate leadership, how she turned deficits into surpluses at MVA, her groundbreaking decision to build BonaLife, and the storm that followed when shareholder scandals and corruption tested her integrity. Beyond her corporate journey, Regina opens up about spirituality, family, resilience, and crisis management — offering lessons not only for entrepreneurs and leaders, but for anyone navigating turbulent times. Tune in for insights on: How Regina transformed institutions like MVA and Botswana Life The founding story of BonaLife and why it was a citizen-owned breakthrough Lessons from navigating shareholder scandals and corruption The role of calmness, spirituality, and family in leadership Why Botswana’s public sector must enable, not block, entrepreneurship Connect with GrowthWell Podcast: Facebook:   / innolead   LinkedIn:   / innolead-consulting-pty-ltd   Instagram:   / growthwellpodcast   TikTok:   / growthwellpodcast   To impact audiences at your events with Africentric, research based, actionable insights such as these, contact Oabona on LinkedIn at   / oabona-kgengwenyane   or through oabona.com.