"Be brave enough to start conversations that matter and shift the direction of change for the better."
Meet Paul Nunesdea: Architect of Collaboration
My journey in creating meaningful connections began when I was just 5 years old, standing in my grandfather’s drugstore, eagerly asking customers, “Aren’t you buying something from us?” It made everyone laugh, but it also showed a glimpse of my natural curiosity and the desire to engage people—qualities that have guided me ever since.
Today, under the brand name Paul Nunesdea PhD CPF, I bring that same spirit to my work as an IAF™ Certified Professional Facilitator, Master of Ceremonies, and founder of col.lab | collaboration laboratory.
Whether I’m publishing the Architecting Collaboration book series or leading international events and platforms like Health Data Forum and Digital Health Portugal, I’m driven by the same enthusiasm for fostering connections and creating value.
In addition to Debate Eximio Lda, I co-founded My Meeting Support, a unique spin-off that connects organizations with top meeting professionals, helping them design and deliver more effective and impactful meetings. Through these initiatives, I continue to build collaborative ecosystems that empower organizations and communities to thrive.
With a lifelong commitment to facilitation, social entrepreneurship, and healthcare, I’m recognized by over 8,000 LinkedIn followers as a trusted voice in building collaborative ecosystems. Guided by my diverse experiences and a deep sense of purpose, I continue to create transformative spaces that empower people, organizations, and communities to thrive together.
Architecting Success Together
5 Reasons Why Paul Nunesdea is Your Ideal Meeting Professional in the World of Collaboration
Paulo Nunes de Abreu, also known by his pen name Paul Nunesdea, PhD, CPF, brings not only his expertise as a highly skilled facilitator but also a wealth of experience from the healthcare sector to every engagement.
#1 Track Record in Hosting Renowned Events
Paul boasts a remarkable track record in leading the organization of prestigious events for a diverse clientele. Through his company Debate Exímio, he excels in international event management, catering to large corporations, municipalities, and regional governments. Additionally, his UK-based company, My Meeting Support, equips him with the expertise and human capital to navigate discussions of varying scales and contexts, ensuring impactful outcomes for every event.
#2 Involvement in Social Enterprises and Civic Platforms
Paul's active role in social enterprises and civic platforms underscores his dedication to nurturing collaborative and sustainable ecosystems. His experience offers a comprehensive perspective, extending beyond conventional corporate environments.
#3 CEO Expertise
With a proven track record of leading and transforming organizations, Paul Nunesdea brings a wealth of strategic leadership and collaborative ecosystem-building expertise. His extensive experience in the healthcare sector further enriches this role, offering invaluable insights into one of the most dynamic and critical areas of public and private sector engagement.
#4 Academic Expertise
Paul Nunesdea's PhD in Management Science from Lancaster University, with a focus on Soft Systems Methodology, equips him with a unique blend of theoretical rigor and practical facilitation skills. His research has provided him with a deep understanding of complex systems, stakeholder analysis, and participatory decision-making, making him a highly sought-after facilitator for organizations seeking innovative solutions and sustainable change.
#5 IAF™ Certified Professional Facilitator
Finally, Paul's
IAF™ certification
is a testament to his ability in designing and facilitating collaborative processes. His approach guarantees professionalism and adherence to best facilitation practices.
More About Me
As a Social and Organizational Psychologist with a PhD from Lancaster University Management School, where I had the unique opportunity to learn under Peter Checkland, creator of Soft Systems Methodology, I've built a strong academic foundation that supports my professional endeavors in healthcare consulting. My career has been marked by a series of leadership roles, including a tenure as CEO, and advisory positions predominantly in the realms of Public Administration and Healthcare.
My passion for creating positive societal impact led me to establish several NGOs. I've spearheaded major business summits such as the Health Data Forum and the Health Regions Summit, and Digital Health Portugal, among other significant initiatives.
These experiences have honed my skills in organizing and facilitating workshops and corporate events for a diverse clientele, including private sector giants and governmental organizations, as well as multilateral agencies like the EU's EMCCDA. My work with local subsidiaries of global corporations such as Microsoft, PMI and ASCOM has been particularly challenging and rewarding.
In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, my focus has shifted towards fostering public engagement and collaboration among various stakeholders. My aim is to build more resilient communities and agile organizations that contribute to a balanced and sustainable society.
With over 15 years of experience in CEO and business management roles, my approach is client-centric, always aiming to co-create win-win solutions.
In 2020, I co-founded the Digital Collaboration Academy (now part of My Meeting Support) alongside Peter Seah, a renowned colleague from the International Association of Facilitators This academy focused on systems thinking and advanced facilitation training, equipping participants with the skills to navigate complex situations and lead effective collaborative processes.
In 2021, I further expanded my work in collaborative initiatives by co-founding Debate Exímio Lda, a col.lab spin-off specializing in civic platforms and community outreach. Through this venture, I manage projects like the
Health Data Forum
and
Digital Health Portugal.
The curator of the Roundtable Principles for effective decision-making, co-founder of My Meeting Support and Debate Exímio Lda.
"Empowering Professional Facilitators" is out now! Explore how digital tools revolutionize facilitation in the latest "Architecting Collaboration" volume in the series.
As an IAF™ Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF), Paul Nunesdea designs and hosts internationally renowned events for a range of clients from large companies to municipalities and regional governments.
Social media
With more +8k followers on LinkedIn that recognize him as a trusted voice as a former CEO and consultant, trainer, and meeting professional, Paul Nunesdea is ranked at the top 1% Social Selling Index rank in the world's largest professional network.
Paul's LinkedIn profile can be reached here, or in Spanish here, or in Portuguese here.
LinkedIn Groups Paul Nunesdea is the creator of a specialized discussion group: Digital Tools for Virtual Collaboration with +800 members. now called My Meeting Support.
Google Scholar He is the most cited author on GDSS (group decision support systems) and his profile can be seen here .
Industry report Paul hosted Digital Collab an event series focused on exploring the wider adoption of digital tools for collaboration and the last report can be purchased here .
Issuu A number of Paul's publications can be found here.
LinkedIn Pulse He publishes regularly on LinkedIn and some of his most popular posts:
Meetings vs. workshops,
The University of the Future
and
Why weekly staff meetings are important in startups?
In this favourite article, he shares some insights about social networking on LinkedIn: The taste of lemon.
Quora He has answered a number of meeting related questions and his profile can be seen here .
A workshops.work podcast interview can be listened here. "This episode is your opportunity to hear many opinions from the very top of facilitation’s leading professional body. It’s not every day I get to say that!" Myriam Hadnes
Own blog. Besides LinkedIn Pulse, this book series website also features "Get the collaborative touch", a dedicated blog that you can view and subscribe here.
My PhD Research
My mission is to create transformative spaces for dialogue that foster meaningful collaboration, empowering people, organizations, and communities to thrive through shared understanding and collective problem-solving.
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"Be brave enough to start conversations that matter and shift the direction of change for the better."
col.lab | collaboration laboratory is a spin-off from the book series " Architecting Collaboration " and our privacy policy can be consulted here
My Meeting Support is an event services brand by col.lab | collaboration laboratory