In today’s fast-paced financial world, strong leadership and clear communication are crucial. In this episode of Calculated Conversations, I spoke with Ms. Vanessa Bukasa CA(SA), Vice President at Absa Group and a Chartered Accountant with nearly a decade of experience in financial risk management. She leads balance sheet integrity across 10 African subsidiaries, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with international standards.
Ms. Bukasa also empowers professionals as a public speaking and confidence coach, helping individuals communicate with impact and clarity. In our conversation, we discuss the intersection of financial leadership, effective governance, and the power of confident communication. If you’re interested in mastering both financial strategy and personal growth, this episode is for you.
1. You oversee balance sheet control across 10 African countries. How do you navigate the different regulatory environments while maintaining financial governance standards?
While I’m accountable for the integrity of the consolidated balance sheet across our 10 African subsidiaries, the real superheroes are the teams in-country. They’re deeply embedded in their local regulatory landscapes and bring an incredible depth of expertise and precision to the table. Because we can place so much reliance on their brilliance and professionalism, my focus at Group level is ensuring alignment with overarching governance and control standards. I work closely with our regulatory reporting team in South Africa to make sure we’re aligned at a Group level and consistently maintaining integrity in our financial oversight. It’s a partnership that is built on trust, excellence, and shared responsibility.
2. Your career path has taken you from audit supervision at KPMG to vice presidency at Absa Group. What were the most valuable lessons you learned during this transition?
One of the biggest lessons was learning to shift from being a technical expert to being a strategic leader. At KPMG, my focus was on accuracy, compliance, and providing assurance. At Absa, especially in a leadership role, it’s about creating value, empowering teams, and influencing outcomes across borders. I had to grow my voice, own the room, and see beyond numbers to what the numbers enable: strategic decisions, risk management, and sustainable growth. The ability to lead through people, rather than only through spreadsheets, has been one of my greatest growth points.
3. As both a financial leader and a public speaking coach, do you find any surprising parallels between financial risk management and helping people overcome their fear of public speaking?
Absolutely! And it all comes down to effective communication. In both spaces, the goal is to identify risk, build trust, and influence decisions. In finance, if you can’t articulate what the numbers are telling you, the insight is lost. In public speaking, if you’re gripped by fear, your value won’t be heard. Both require clarity, confidence, and presence. Overcoming fear, whether it’s fear of speaking or fear of getting it wrong, is key to unlocking leadership in any context.
4. You mention process transformation as one of your core strengths. Could you share an example of a process you transformed that had significant impact on operations?
Yes, one of the projects I’m most proud of was leading the development of a centralised reporting tool that consolidated data from various systems into one single, reliable source of truth. Prior to this, teams were spending hours pulling reports manually, dealing with version control issues, and crashing Excel with large data sets. Today, we have a streamlined, automated solution that saves time, enhances governance, and allows us to visualise financial data far more effectively. It’s been a game changer for risk discussions and decision-making.
5. Financial services is often perceived as a traditional sector. How do you approach innovation within your role at Absa Group?
I’m fortunate to work in a space that champions innovation. We’re constantly encouraged to challenge the status quo, automate where possible, and build smarter processes. Whether it’s simplifying reporting, enhancing governance, or driving process efficiency, I see innovation as not just about technology, it’s about mindset. It’s about asking: “Is there a better way?” and then having the courage to build it.
6. Having coached over 200 professionals globally on communication skills, what do you find is the most common barrier preventing people from communicating with confidence?
Without a doubt, fear of judgment. It shows up in so many forms: staying silent in meetings, second-guessing your input, or trying to be perfect before you even start. This fear is often rooted in past experiences: being shut down, overlooked, or made to feel like you don’t belong. And it shapes the way we see ourselves and our value. Nothing gives me more joy than watching my clients dismantle those fears, step into their voice, and realise that there’s been another way all along… one rooted in self-trust and clarity.
What a fantastic conversation with Ms. Bukasa! Her deep knowledge of financial risk management, paired with her dedication to coaching professionals on confidence and communication, makes her an exceptional leader in both the corporate world and personal development space.
Key takeaways from our chat:
- Strong financial leadership thrives on trust, clear governance, and solid processes.
- Communication is a game-changer, whether you’re in finance or any other field.
- Confidence in speaking can truly elevate your career and help you navigate challenges with ease.
- Developing both technical expertise and personal skills is key to becoming a well-rounded leader.
- Leadership goes beyond managing money. It’s about inspiring growth and empowering teams to succeed.
No matter where you are in your career, Ms. Bukasa’s insights offer practical advice on how to grow as a more confident, strategic, and impactful leader.
What’s one communication skill you’re working on right now, and how are you improving it?
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