<p>Sharing never-before-told anecdotes, Paul Whelan recounts his harrowing journey as a hostage in Putin’s Russia—enduring human rights abuses while fighting for freedom and justice from behind enemy lines.</p><p>On December 28, 2018, Paul Whelan was traveling in Russia for a friend’s wedding when he was framed for espionage and arrested in his hotel room. Thus began a harrowing journey of unwavering resilience, patriotism, and survival that spanned five years, seven months, and five days of unlawful imprisonment—before his emotional return home in the most historic prisoner swap since the Cold War. </p><p>From torture by sleep deprivation in a filthy prison cell to harassment in a forced labor camp, the trauma Paul faced was substantial. But by forming crucial alliances and communicating with fellow prisoners, guards, and other Americans detained nearby, Paul was able to learn and share invaluable resources and information about the War in Ukraine and other global events—and was able to ultimately fight for his own release.</p><p>Drawing from his remarkable story, Paul inspires audiences to overcome their own most difficult obstacles, providing strategies for mental resilience and goal-setting. He also brings a wealth of experience in corporate security, expertly blending risk management with strategic insights to safeguard organizational integrity and enhance operational resilience. He applies the leadership and team-building principles he learned while detained to the corporate world—emphasizing that building strong alliances and learning to communicate mindfully with others is essential for success.</p>
Former U.S. Marine and corporate security director held hostage in Russia, released in the most historic prisoner swap since the Cold War
<ul><li><Strong>Paul Whelan: An Extraordinary Story of Espionage, Resiliency, Patriotism</strong></li><li>Sharing previously untold details of the story that swept the globe, Paul Whelan recounts his harrowing journey as a hostage wrongfully detained in Putin’s Russia for five years, seven months, and five days. From being framed and arrested while traveling in Russia for a friend’s wedding; to the sleep deprivation torture and harassment in a forced Labor Camp; to the crucial alliances and information-swapping with fellow prisoners and nearby American detainees, Paul shares the intriguing anecdotes and smart goal-setting strategies that ultimately led to his emotional return home, inspiring audiences to overcome their own most difficult obstacles and achieve success. </li><li><strong>Global Security and Risk Management: How to Safeguard Your Employees and Organizational Integrity</strong></li><li>Bringing a wealth of experience in corporate security, Paul Whelan expertly blends risk management with strategic insights to safeguard organizational integrity and enhance operational resilience. He also includes tips for safe international travel, the most up-to-date State Department recommendations, and steps to take in the rare event you or your employee is arrested or detained abroad. </li><li><strong>Leadership and Team-Building: How Key Alliances and Smart Communication Saved My Life—and Can Save Your Business</strong></li><li>While held hostage in a Russian prison and labor camp for more than five and a half years, Paul Whelan formed crucial alliances with fellow prisoners, guards, and other American detainees held nearby. Through smart strategizing, information-gathering, and resourceful communication methods, Paul was able to learn and share invaluable information about the War in Ukraine and other global events. In this keynote he applies the principles he learned to businesses, emphasizing that building strong teams and forming mindful, respectful bonds with others is essential for success.</li></ul>