In celebration of Women’s Month, the PSASA Pretoria Chapter’s August meeting brought together wisdom, energy, and authenticity under the theme “Stay in Your Lane: Speak Your Business.” It was an evening dedicated to discovering your niche, standing boldly in your voice, and leading with connection.
Christa Coetzee – Connection is My Currency
With over 30 years of experience as a psychologist and team dynamics coach, Christa Coetzee invited us to shift from performance to presence. Her keynote, “Connection is My Currency,” explored how emotional safety, relational intelligence, and bold self-leadership create trust in couples, teams, and leadership circles.
She reminded us that influence is not just about what we know; it’s about how deeply we connect with ourselves and with others. Emotional and relational intelligence, when woven together, lay the foundation for trust and long-lasting relationships.
“From Christa’s talk, I was reminded of the power of EQ — that true influence starts with how well we connect with ourselves and others.” – Cobus Visser “Christa’s talk about emotional and rational intelligences being key foundations for relationships and trust really stayed with me.” – Moses Skosana
Christa left us with this enduring truth: connection is not optional; it is the very currency of influence.
Taryn-Lee Kearney – Resilience in Action
Certified Speaking Professional and People Experience Strategist, Taryn-Lee Kearney, brought her trademark energy and workshop-style delivery to the stage. Her session was an engaging exploration of resilience and growth, inviting us to reflect deeply through her four powerful questions—reminding us that “Growth begins with the right questions, not just the right answers.
” In a bold demonstration, Taryn-Lee smashed a mug on stage, symbolising how we all experience moments of breaking. But like the pieces of that mug, we can rebuild ourselves; sometimes not in the same way, but into something uniquely powerful.
“Taryn-Lee’s energy and style really pushed me to reflect on how to grow my business.” – Cobus Visser
“Her smashing of the mug on stage to illustrate resilience was the most powerful moment of the night. We can always put ourselves back together, and our uniqueness is our strength.” – Moses Skosana Her message was clear: resilience is not about never breaking—it’s about choosing to rise stronger, different, and unapologetically yourself.
A Night of Connection and Celebration
Beyond the incredible insights, the evening was filled with the spirit of community, support, and celebration. Attendees spoke of the joy of meeting new speakers, gaining fresh perspectives, and celebrating each other’s wins.
As Cobus Visser shared:
“And of course, the best part — meeting new speakers and celebrating each other’s successes.” The August gathering reminded us that professional speaking is more than a skill—it’s a journey of self-leadership, resilience, and authentic connection.
Final Reflections
This Women’s Month celebration challenged us to stay in our lane, speak our business, and be unapologetically ourselves.
From Christa’s call to deepen emotional connection to Taryn-Lee’s reminder that resilience makes us stronger, the evening left us inspired to lead with authenticity, courage, and connection.
As we look ahead to September, one thing is certain: the Pretoria Chapter remains a space where voices rise, stories connect, and speakers grow together.
Written By:
Mahlodi Kgatle
