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Paul Kells | |
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Paul Kells is an injury prevention champion, strategist and motivator. He began his work in this area as a volunteer, prompted by the loss of his son Sean in a workplace explosion in 1994. In 2002, he moved from his volunteer work and business career to devote his full-time energy to his dream for a widespread health and safety culture shift, across Canada and internationally. Mr. Kells founded the Safe Communities Foundation of Canada in 1996, derived from a concept first developed in Sweden. The Foundation created a unique template to help people join with others to take action steps in their own communities to reduce injuries. Forty-five “Safe Communities” (covering approximately 22% of Canada's population) have now qualified for designation by the Foundation in Canada. Many more are under development. The Foundation is endorsed and designated as an Affiliate Support Centre by the World Health Organization. The Canadian model has contributed to similar efforts in other countries, including Australia and New Zealand. Mr.Kells also addresses audiences at conferences and university lectures series as a keynote speaker in Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Relying on his business, leadership, communications and personal experiences, he encourages, motivates and assists others to break new ground, personally, professionally and organizationally. In an 18 year private sector business career, Mr. Kells led a transportation company and two leading-edge communications firms. He has advised and implemented major communications projects for clients in the airline, energy, technology and financial services industries. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kells was head of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Current Affairs Radio division, responsible for journalistic policies and standards at all CBC Radio locations across Canada. He was also national Head of Agriculture, Resources and Business broadcasting for CBC Television. Prior to that, Mr. Kells served as an Executive Producer of News and Current affairs and performed other journalistic assignments in radio and television in Atlantic Canada. Now a resident of Chester, Nova Scotia, Mr. Kells holds the Meritorious Service Medal (Civilian), awarded by the Governor General of Canada in 2003. In 2001, he was inducted as a Member of the Order of Ontario. Earlier that year he received the Ontario Award for Outstanding Achievement in Volunteerism and entered that provinces Volunteer Hall of Fame. He is a Governor of the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada. Paul has also represented Canada at two international NAFTA conferences on child labour issues. | |