Professional Bio

50-Word Author Bio

Abbas Alimorad, MA, MPEd, PMP is an international keynote speaker, executive leader, author, and educator. From refugee to senior executive, he brings a powerful perspective on resilience, change, and leadership. Published in Ivey Business Journal and featured on CTV Weekend Spotlight, Abbas is the author of From Displacement to Leadership.

100-Word Author Bio

Abbas Alimorad, MA, MPEd, PMP is an international keynote speaker, executive leader, author, educator, and executive coach with more than 20 years of leadership experience across government, healthcare, higher education, and the private sector. Drawing on his journey from displacement to executive leadership, Abbas speaks on leadership, resilience, change, and the power of adversity to shape extraordinary leaders. His thought leadership has been published in Ivey Business Journal, and he has been featured on CTV Weekend Spotlight, discussing his book and leadership journey. He teaches at Western University and is the author of From Displacement to Leadership: How Adversity Shapes Extraordinary Leaders.

250-Word Author Bio

Abbas Alimorad, MA, MPEd, PMPis an international keynote speaker, executive leader, author, educator, executive coach, and strategic advisor whose work focuses on leadership, resilience, organizational change, and the human side of transformation.

Drawing on more than 20 years of leadership experience across government, healthcare, higher education, and the private sector, Abbas has led complex transformations, strategic initiatives, and governance programs in environments where leadership, trust, and adaptability are critical to success.

He serves as a Senior Consultant with Global Affairs Canada and teaches project management at Western University. Abbas is President of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Southwestern Ontario Chapter, serves on the Board of Directors of the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation, and contributes to Fanshawe College’s Honours Bachelor of Commerce Program Advisory Committee. He has also contributed to PMI’s Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and Projects: A Practice Guide.

His thought leadership has been published in Ivey Business Journal, including “How Adversity Can Shape Extraordinary Leaders.” He is the author of From Displacement to Leadership: How Adversity Shapes Extraordinary Leaders, which draws on his journey from displacement and adversity to executive leadership.

Abbas was featured on CTV Weekend Spotlight, where he was interviewed about his book, personal journey, and perspectives on resilience, adversity, and leadership.

Today, through keynote speaking, executive coaching, education, and advisory work, Abbas challenges leaders and organizations to see adversity differently—not simply as an obstacle, but as a powerful catalyst for growth, transformation, and extraordinary leadership.

Speaker Introduction

60-Second Speaker Introduction

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker, Abbas Alimorad, MA, MPEd, PMP.

Abbas is an international keynote speaker, executive leader, educator, and author of From Displacement to Leadership: How Adversity Shapes Extraordinary Leaders.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience across government, healthcare, higher education, and the private sector, Abbas brings a powerful perspective on leadership, resilience, organizational change, and transformation.

His thought leadership has been published in Ivey Business Journal, and he was featured on CTV Weekend Spotlight, where he shared the story behind his book and his perspectives on adversity, resilience, and leadership.

His own journey—from arriving in Canada as a refugee to becoming a senior executive, university educator, and international speaker—has shaped a leadership philosophy grounded in resilience, purpose, and service.

Today, Abbas challenges leaders and organizations to see adversity not simply as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for growth and transformation.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Abbas Alimorad!

2-Minute Speaker Introduction

Our keynote speaker today has not simply studied leadership—he has lived the lessons he shares.

Please join me in welcoming Abbas Alimorad, MA, MPEd, PMP—an international keynote speaker, executive leader, educator, executive coach, and author of From Displacement to Leadership: How Adversity Shapes Extraordinary Leaders.

Abbas’s journey began far from the boardroom. As a young child, he and his family were forced to flee Iraq, spending years rebuilding their lives before immigrating to Canada as refugees. Those early experiences with uncertainty, adversity, and change would ultimately shape his perspective on resilience, leadership, and the human capacity to adapt.

Today, Abbas brings more than two decades of leadership experience across government, healthcare, higher education, and the private sector, where he has led complex strategic initiatives and organizational transformations. He serves as a Senior Project Management Consultant with Global Affairs Canada, teaches project management at Western University, and serves as President of the Project Management Institute’s Southwestern Ontario Chapter.

His thought leadership has been published in Ivey Business Journal, and he has spoken to audiences across North America on leadership, resilience, organizational transformation, artificial intelligence, governance, and project leadership.

Abbas was also featured on CTV Weekend Spotlight, where he was interviewed about his book, his extraordinary personal journey, and the leadership lessons that can emerge from adversity.

Through his writing, speaking, and leadership work, Abbas brings together lived experience and more than 20 years of professional leadership to deliver a powerful message: adversity does not have to define our future—it can help prepare us to lead it.

Today, you will hear a story about resilience, transformation, purpose, and the choices we make when circumstances challenge us most.

Please join me in giving a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Abbas Alimorad!