Paul Whelan

Former U.S. Marine and corporate security director held hostage in Russia, released in the most historic prisoner swap since the Cold War

Born in Ottawa, Canada and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan by British parents with Irish heritage, Paul Whelan has citizenship in four countries—the US, Canada, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

After graduating from Colorado Technical University with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a Master of Business Administration, Whelan served as a police officer for 15 years in various communities within Michigan, specializing in traffic crash investigation and reconstruction. He was an instructor for the American Red Cross for 20 years, and he served as a United States Marine for 15 years to include two tours of duty in Iraq, before moving into the corporate security sector.

On December 28, 2018, Whelan was traveling in Moscow for a friend’s wedding when he was framed and arrested for espionage in his hotel room. At the time he was a Director of Global Security for BorgWarner, an international automotive parts manufacturer, and had contacts in the US intelligence community, as well as with federal agents and foreign embassies. He believes this made him a target for a setup.

From torture by sleep deprivation in a filthy prison cell to harassment in a forced labor camp, Whelan was held unlawfully for five years, seven months, and five days. By forming crucial alliances and communicating with fellow prisoners, guards, and other Americans detained nearby, Whelan 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.

On August 1, 2024, Paul Whelan was finally released in one of the largest prisoner swaps since the end of the Cold War, an exchange which included American reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Drawing from his remarkable story, Whelan inspires audiences to overcome their own most difficult obstacles, providing strategies for mental resilience and goal-setting. He also brings his corporate security experience, 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.

Since his release, Whelan has looked forward to enjoying his hobbies again—the great outdoors, boating, playing hockey, playing soccer, reading, and foreign travel.