Since January 2021, J. Paul Walsh has been the Chief Executive Officer at the Autism Society of Newfoundland & Labrador. He is responsible for the overall direction of the organization and oversight of its daily operations including leadership, human resource management and administration.

He had previously been a Senior Business Analyst for 33 years at the Newfoundland Power Inc. in St. John’s. During these years, he was also an Academic Dean at the Canadian Institute of Management and a Course Instructor from 1989 to 2021 at the Faculty of Business Administration, Memorial University, St John’s.

Over the years, he has done various community and volunteer work on boards, committees and councils including the St. John’s Transportation Commission, the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and the St. James United Church Finance, Stewardship and Worship & Sacraments Committees. He is currently Chair of the Diversity Committee. Additionally, Paul is Chair of the Board of Directors of Accessibility Standards Canada.

He is a mentor, coach, and leader with a strong track record of developing emerging professionals. Paul was the recipient of Empower’s 2020 Cecilia Award for Independent Living in recognition of his personal commitment exceeding 20 years to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. He was also a finalist for the NL Human Rights Award.