Fast Forward Group Coach Kelly Olafson

Kelly Olafson

Facilitator

Before moving full time into learning and development, Kelly worked for more than 30 years in both the energy and communications businesses with companies like NOVA Corporation of Alberta (now TransCanada Pipelines), Shell, BBDO and Ogilvy & Mather, most recently as Ogilvy’s Vice-President, Operations – Asia Pacific. He joined Ogilvy in his native Canada, moving on to assignments in the USA, Latin America, the UK, Australia and – since the year 2000 – Singapore.

A significant part of his job in those companies was in learning & development, coaching and facilitation and he has facilitated workshops in areas like presentation skills, commercial management and negotiation for more than twenty years all over the world. He has also undertaken top-to-bottom operational, talent/organizational development and trouble-shooting projects for Fortune 500 clients like American Express, Unilever, Shiseido and Nestle, as well as a range of top-tier advertising agencies.

Kelly has a history degree from the University of Calgary, and has been a guest speaker for post-secondary institutions including The University of Lethbridge, Houston Baptist University, Georgia State University, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and National University of Singapore.

He and his wife Barbara are Singapore Permanent Residents, and have three well-travelled daughters.