From The Village to Chief Financial Officer: How Daniel Leki Made It

He almost died at the age of two. He was a sick child. How did he bit all odds to land a prestigious role as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)?

Like most Papua New Guineans, this future CFO, grew up in the village, in Vanimo, Sandaun Province in Papua New Guinea. His parents were subsistence farmers.


“Mum was the only child in her family. She had no siblings. Hence, me and my siblings had no maternal uncles to turn to for support.

“Growing up in the village as a child and witnessing the hardship and struggles that mum endured are experiences that I treasurer forever in my heart.

“I believe her resilience and independent character are traits that I picked along the way as I look back at my own journey in life. Dad was a humble man, and that’s where I picked up my humility from dad”

He eventually made it to UPNG and graduated with an accounting degree.

Addition of an international MBA with CPA professional qualifications and relevant exposure and experience soon paved way for Daniel Leki to work his way up the corporate ladder.

Young Leki began his career as an accounts clerk back in Vanimo.

Knowing that Port Moresby presented greater opportunities to advance his career, it was only a matter of time before he moved to the big city.

“I have moved so many jobs since then because I wanted job satisfaction and challenges to grow my career. I remember receiving 3 job offers one time, including an overseas secondment, and a foreign service job. I was young and adventurous and was averse to risk-taking in those young days.

“I have made mistakes, lost jobs, and moved on to new jobs, taking the positives out of negative situations and experiences and never looked back since.

“I had worked hard with commitment and loyalty. And I was driven for personal success and excellence”

His confidence soared with the more experiences he gained.

An opportunity soon presented itself and Leki soon joined PNG DataCo as the CFO, the position he held on to until he resigned last year.

As the CFO, he provided strategic financial leadership to optimize the financial performance of the company, including its reporting, liquidity, and return on investment.

He also worked with PNG DataCo CEO Paul Komboi to drive the KTH Merger, which he says is a key milestone in his career, among others.

Leki has sound advice for career professionals who aspire to become corporate leaders.

“Be ambitious and driven, for results and excellence. Have the right attitude that demonstrates loyalty and commitment so that you are trusted and relied upon.

“Don’t wait for your employer to provide you the training opportunity. It may never come. Take the initiative and seek assistance from an employer where needed.

“Be a team player. Your attitude is everything. If you are an accountant, pass your professional exams to attain CPA status. Become an accountant and not a bookkeeper" he says


Source : Story and Photo by Exepreneur Magazine 


Next : Jobs in Banking & Financial services - Bank of Papua New Guinea


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