Raka Numa Raula: From Classroom Dreams to Corporate Leadership
Raka Numa Raula’s story is one of vision, perseverance, and purpose—a journey that began in a classroom and led to the boardrooms of Papua New Guinea’s corporate world. Recently crowned winner of the Private Sector category at the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards (WOWA), Raka continues to inspire a new generation of women leaders.
As Company Secretary of Comrade Trustee Services Limited, Raka plays a crucial role in strengthening governance and strategic direction for one of PNG’s leading superannuation funds. Her work in compliance, stakeholder engagement, and board succession has earned her recognition as a trailblazer in corporate leadership. With a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne and executive training from Harvard Business School, she blends world-class expertise with deep local impact.
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| Raka Numa Raula: From Classroom Dreams to Corporate Leadership [Photo by WestpacPNG0 |
But Raka’s path to leadership began long before her legal and corporate successes. As a young girl in Grade 4, she opened her first savings account with Westpac—a simple act that sparked her lifelong belief in growth and possibility. “That simple act sparked a belief in possibility and growth and laid the foundation for my path in law, leadership, and service,” she recalled.
Today, Raka is more than a corporate leader; she is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and inclusion. She serves as Vice President of the PNG Women Lawyers Association and is the incoming Division Director for Toastmasters in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, guiding others to find their voice and confidence.
Her commitment to giving back is evident in her plans to invest her WOWA grant into grassroots leadership and financial empowerment projects. She aims to help youth through Toastmasters and open savings accounts for students at her former primary school—continuing the cycle of opportunity that began with her own childhood experience.
Raka’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by titles but by impact. Her story reflects courage, humility, and the unwavering belief that true progress comes when women lift others as they rise.
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