For over twenty years, Lana Potgieter has been an internationally recognized leadership coach dedicated to empowering business owners and executive teams in small to mid-sized organizations. Originally from South Africa, she relocated to Pennsylvania in 2024 to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. With this move, she founded Lighthouse Leadership Coaching and Development LLC, continuing the success she built in South Africa.
With experience spanning three continents, Lana has helped numerous businesses unlock their growth potential. She blends global insights with a passion for leadership excellence, driving local impact by equipping teams for strategic growth and alignment.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your business, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
Originally from South Africa and now based in Pennsylvania, Lana brings a unique global perspective to leadership coaching and business consulting. Having worked with businesses in different economic landscapes, she deeply understands the challenges that leaders face in today’s complex and ever-evolving business world. Her ability to bridge international best practices with the specific needs of American businesses makes her a valuable partner for organizations looking to elevate their leadership and performance.
Through her company, Lighthouse Leadership Coaching and Development, Lana works closely with business owners and executive teams to enhance leadership capabilities, refine strategic direction, and foster team alignment. Her mission is simple yet profound: to transform leaders from reactive managers into visionary lighthouse leaders who inspire, guide, and drive their organizations to long-term success.
A Proven Track Record of Leadership Excellence
Lana’s work has been recognized globally, earning her several prestigious international accolades that underscore her impact in the field of leadership development. Some of her notable achievements include:
- LMI Motivator of the Year – Africa-Australia (2017) – Recognized for her exceptional ability to inspire and drive positive change in leaders and organizations.
- LMI Facilitator of the Year – Africa-Australia (2018) – Awarded for her outstanding work in facilitating transformative leadership programs and workshops.
- LMI Africa Client of the Year (2019) – While not an award for herself, this is the achievement she is most proud of, as it represents the direct impact her coaching had on a client who demonstrated exceptional leadership growth and business success.
These awards are a testament to her ability to not only teach leadership principles but to help individuals and organizations implement them in ways that drive measurable results.
What inspired you to start your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Were there any specific events, challenges, or people that motivated you to take this path?
I was stuck in a job I no longer wanted to do due to a serious value conflict. I approached a coach from Leadership Management International (LMI), Greg Walpole. I participated in a program called Dynamics of Personal Goal Setting, and in a moment of revelation (some would call it a BLINDING FLASH OF THE OBVIOUS), I realized that I wanted to help others discover their purpose and create a roadmap to become the best version of themselves—learning to lead themselves and others to greater accomplishment while becoming more true to themselves.
Looking back at the beginning of your career, what were the major challenges you faced when establishing yourself as a leader/coach? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Financing – I needed my husband to help support us until I was able to generate enough income. Fortunately, because LMI is a reputable, established organization, the training for finding clients was excellent.
The bigger problem was that I was arrogant—TYPE A Driver :). The greatest lesson I had to learn was to be teachable and follow the process.
Developing self-confidence that “I can do this” wasn’t always possible. I had to focus on the dreams and goals I had and use affirmations to get the courage to pursue more business clients rather than individuals. As I helped clients develop a new self-image, I had to continuously do the same.
Would you like to share any remarkable achievements?
My client, NANO IS, won the Leadership Management International—2019 Africa-Australia Client of the Year award. This award is given to clients who use the processes and tools they learned through our program to achieve significant success and results in their business and personal lives.
The owners have since started a new business in the UK and are still using me to develop the leadership of their teams.
I have also won:
- LMI Motivator of the Year – Africa-Australia
- LMI Facilitator of the Year – Africa-Australia
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
My sincere belief is that if you think it’s a handicap, then it will be—but if you don’t pay attention to the fact that the road is harder, you can focus on doing what you can do.
Even if we have more roles and responsibilities, we find ways to balance and find solutions. We are far more self-sufficient yet can rely on our people to encourage and support us.
The evidence of the value of female leadership—intuition and natural collaboration—is indisputable!
Given that I’m from Africa and March is Women’s History Month, I created Lioness Leadership—a uniquely focused program designed to help women lead with confidence and impact.
This isn’t passive learning—it’s a transformational experience within a hand-selected community of committed women.
This 14-week program is designed to help you master personal leadership and expand your influence by:
✅ Leading with integrity and character
✅ Empowering your team and colleagues
✅ Building a strong circle of accountability
💡 Enrollment is by application only.
What message or advice would you have for future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Play your own game, run your own race—don’t be distracted by what others are or aren’t doing. Hyper-reality is a deadly illusion.
AND
Keep pushing your own personal best—every day, just a little better! In every day and in every aspect of your life.
