Helena Heystek brings over 35 years of cross-sector experience, including 30 years in senior management roles across industries such as biotechnology, healthcare, food security, and community development. Known for her multi-disciplinary approach, Helena is a strategic thinker who thrives on innovation, team building, and driving organisational impact. She played a pivotal role in establishing a state-of-the-art tissue bank in the Western Cape, Vitanova—from securing funding and overseeing construction to regulatory compliance and ensuring high-quality tissue processing for the healthcare sector. She is currently the Operations Director of Bone SA.

With a BCom degree from North-West University and further executive training from IMD International in Switzerland, Helena combines financial acumen with a passion for purpose-driven leadership. She has served on multiple company boards and contributed to numerous start-ups, always with a focus on empowering teams and uplifting individuals and communities.

Helena is passionate about contributing to and building a sustainable tissue banking sector in South Africa and the broader SADC region.