“Purpose in life is to help others realize their full potential. It all needs to be done with integrity.”
Regina Partain Bergman is a globally respected business strategist, international speaker, author, and board advisor whose mission is to unlock the potential in leaders, organizations, and communities alike. As CEO of Bridgeport Strategy and Co-Founder of The CEO Holy Grail along with Dr. Asha Mankowska, Regina has spent more than three decades architecting success for executives and entrepreneurs by instilling clarity, structure, and profitability into businesses driven by passion and purpose. Her story is not merely one of success—it’s a narrative of resilience, transformation, and dedication to elevating others.
Regina’s professional journey began humbly in the financial sector, where she served as Assistant Manager at a credit union in California. Even early in her career, she demonstrated strategic acumen and people-first leadership, helping the institution scale from under $1 million to over $9 million in assets. However, it was a pivotal moment during a board meeting—a moment of gender bias—that propelled her to leave and forge her own path. The experience, though disheartening, ignited a fire in Regina to become a catalyst for change, especially for women in leadership. It marked the beginning of a career built on principles of equity, empowerment, and excellence.
She transitioned into entrepreneurship with Mary Kay Cosmetics, where she quickly rose to Senior Sales Director, mentoring women in leadership and personal development. This foundational work laid the groundwork for her next major venture—co-founding Innovative Staffing Solutions, a multi-division staffing firm that grew to serve clients across Texas and Oklahoma. Under Regina’s leadership, ISS achieved multi-seven-figure revenue and a retention rate exceeding 95%, thanks to her proprietary “Best Fit” assessment approach. The company became a trusted partner in industries such as healthcare, oil & gas, finance, and agriculture.
Regina’s entrepreneurial journey took a new turn following the 2008 financial crisis, when she demonstrated incredible resilience by reinventing herself. She founded and operated Bridgeport Lake Bed and Breakfast and later launched the Bridgeport Resort and Event Center. These ventures showcased her operational versatility and reinforced her belief in purpose-driven business as a platform for healing, growth, and joy. In 2015, she launched Bridgeport Strategy—ushering in a new era of impact, this time focused on helping CEOs and business owners scale with profit, vision, and heart.
Through Bridgeport Strategy and The CEO Holy Grail, Regina now partners with mid-market firms, CPA groups, and service-based businesses to accelerate profitability, enhance team cohesion, and build leadership capacity. She developed the HOLY GRAIL framework in a team effort with Dr. Asha Mankowska, a methodology that merges financial strategy, operational systems, and leadership development. Her approach equips businesses to thrive even in the absence of the founder—giving leaders more freedom, stronger teams, and scalable infrastructure. Her work is particularly impactful in the trades, staffing, hospitality, and financial services sectors.
As an international speaker, Regina has captivated audiences in France, Nigeria, and across the United States, delivering keynote presentations that blend storytelling, insight, and transformation. Her 2023 address at the Women Leadership Congress in Paris, “Empowering the Next Generation: Harnessing Women’s Unique Strengths for Influential Leadership”, was met with acclaim for its vision of inclusive, relationship-centered leadership. She also brings her voice to platforms like Pursuing Profit with Principles and Collaboration Conversations, where she hosts deep, unscripted discussions with entrepreneurs and thought leaders from around the globe.
Regina’s thought leadership has been featured in the Texas Chamber of Commerce Magazine, and her influence continues to expand through her published works. She is the international best-selling author of Bulletproof Your Marriage, and a contributor to The Better Business Book series. Her forthcoming title, The CEO Holy Grail Edge: Harness Unshakable Leadership to Transform Your Business, Maximize Profits, and Achieve Lasting Success, co-authored with Dr. Asha Mankowska, will offer a blueprint for leaders looking to create legacy businesses built on integrity, resilience, and impact.
A lifelong advocate for sustainable relationships in leadership, Regina believes that strong personal and professional connections are the foundation for enduring success. Her work is grounded in empathy, emotional intelligence, and a deep respect for the human element of business. Whether she is coaching a CEO, leading a workshop for a Chamber of Commerce, or volunteering for the Dependable Youth Initiative Uganda, Regina exemplifies servant leadership and strategic thinking at every turn.
Beyond the boardroom, Regina’s personal life reflects her professional ethos. After losing her husband in 2014, she continued their shared dream of creating community-driven hospitality spaces. She also indulges her creative passions—sewing, quilting, and crafting—and supports others through mentorship and training initiatives. Her legacy includes not only business growth but also marriages strengthened, communities empowered, and women emboldened to lead unapologetically.
Today, Regina serves on nonprofit and private boards, including a startup software company and a youth empowerment NGO. Her influence is felt not just in numbers, but in the people and leaders she has helped transform. Her work continues to ripple outward, proving that business can—and should—be a force for good.
Character:
Regina Bergman is grounded in unwavering integrity and an innate desire to help others reach their highest potential. She models servant leadership and believes in making values-driven decisions, even when they are the harder path. Her authenticity inspires trust and loyalty in colleagues, clients, and collaborators.
Knowledge:
With over 30 years of experience across industries and continents, Regina brings deep insight into strategy, operations, leadership development, and market dynamics. Her expertise is further validated through awards, publications, and a track record of turning struggling companies into success stories. She is a lifelong learner who actively shares her wisdom through speaking, coaching, and publishing.
Strategic:
Regina sees the bigger picture and aligns every initiative with long-term value and organizational vision. She has a gift for diagnosing systemic issues, designing sustainable solutions, and implementing frameworks that create measurable results. Her work is not transactional—it is transformational.
Communication:
Whether speaking from a stage in Paris or mentoring an emerging leader one-on-one, Regina communicates with clarity, empathy, and purpose. She is an expert storyteller, a skilled facilitator, and a trusted advisor. Her ability to connect ideas and people makes her an irreplaceable catalyst for growth.
https://talks.co/regina-bergman
The CEO Holy Grail Podcast
