Ahmad-Shah Duranai is a Leadership and Communications Coach, Author, Public Speaker, Architect, and Project Manager and Master Trainer of Verbal Aikido – Advanced Communication Skills. He is a member of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and affiliate member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) – Toronto. He is the holder of an MBA Degree, a Bachelor of Architecture Degree, Certificates in Breakthrough Coaching, Advanced Communication Training and Passion Test Facilitation.
Ahmad was born in rural Afghanistan 120 km south of Kabul, where people lived in poverty and education was scarce. He was among the lucky few to receive an education. He attended Kabul University before gaining a full scholarship to the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, where he earned his degrees.
The continuous wars in Lebanon and Afghanistan prompted Ahmad to immigrate to Canada in 1985.
It was Ahmad’s work in architecture, which gained him valuable experience and exposed him to a diversity of cultures when he was leading and coordinating projects with several International firms. Ahmad sought further knowledge and skills in leadership and personal development from leaders in the human potential movement in order to develop his unique perspective on leadership, peak performance, team synergies, and group dynamics. His interest in community activism and the work of non-profit organizations resulted in Ahmad holding several leadership and advisory positions with various organizations, as well as featuring on radio and television talk shows. He is also the winner of the 2013 Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Award and Medal in Humanities/Social Justice.
He is the Author of An Outside-The-Box Look at Afghanistan: New Ideas for Lasting Peace and Stability. The paper was published in 2009 as a peace proposal to all stakeholders in the Afghan conflict, and which has since served as a reference to other researchers on issues related to Afghanistan.
As Founder and Head Coach of Duranet Enterprises Inc., Ahmad designs and facilitates seminars and workshops in Leadership and Personal development. He has designed the Leadership DARE™ and Success Unlimited™ Programs for corporations and Success 101™ for groups of individuals.
Ahmad has delivered over a hundred Educational and Training Seminars and workshops to groups of individuals and organization including several Non-Profit Organizations, The United Nations and Dubai Islamic Bank. He has also made presentations at events for Rogers, RBC, The Toronto Reference Library, The Rotary Club, Construct Canada (The Buildings Show) and others.
Ahmad is also an Authorized Business Partner of EQ Communications to deliver the Verbal Aikido Experience to groups and organizations.
