ALEX PATTAKOS, PH.D.

Philosopher of Meaning and Political Scientist
Author of two international best-selling books on Meaning
Founder of the Global Meaning Institute

Alex Pattakos is leading the Meaning Movement, having co-founded the Global Meaning Institute and the unique study and practice of Meaning called MEANINGology®.
 
Affectionately nicknamed “Dr. Meaning,” Alex’s unique approach integrates Meaning with political science, public policy, existential philosophy, leadership, and personal transformation.
 
Wanting to assist in broader societal transformation, Alex received his Ph.D. in Political Science and became a full-time professor of public and business administration, including graduate program head. As a thought leader, Alex also served as an advisor to governments to affect innovative policy change, including service to the White House under three U.S. presidents and to the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
 
Alex Pattakos is the author of 2 international best-selling books on Meaning, available in 23 (and counting) languages: Prisoners of Our Thoughts (written at the personal urging of world-renowned psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl, M.D., Ph.D.), and Greek-inspired The OPA! Way (outlining how people find meaning in their everyday lives & work despite being surrounded by economic and social crises). He is a subject matter expert and columnist on the Search for Meaning for Psychology Today, and a columnist for the Public Administration Times on the topic of “Meaning in Government.” He is currently writing a new book, entitled Public Administration and the Search for Meaning: Rediscovering the Soul of Government, that will be published by Routledge, the global leader in academic book publishing in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Pattakos was awarded the title of Honorary Professor by the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis in Russia, for his contributions to the development of Viktor Frankl's System of Logotherapy & Existential Analysis and for advancing the search for meaning in life, work, and society.
 
Today, Alex splits his time between Canada, Greece, and the USA focused on writing, lecturing, speaking, and advising about the human quest for Meaning and the discipline of MEANINGology®, with a particular interest in the application of Meaning to social transformation and political thought.

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elaine dundon, mba

Alex pattakos, ph.d.

founders

ELAINE DUNDON

Expert in Meaning, MEANINGology®, and Meaning at Work
Author of three international best-selling books on Meaning and Innovation
Founder of the Global Meaning Institute

Recipient of the "Distinguished Services in Humanities/Social Justice/Culture" Award

(National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada)

and the 60+ Achievement Award 2022 (Atlantic Business Magazine)

Elaine Dundon is leading the Meaning Movement, having co-founded the Global Meaning Institute and the unique study and practice of Meaning called MEANINGology®.

Elaine has held senior leadership positions in three Fortune 500 companies responsible for crafting strategic direction, leading diverse teams, integrating divisions, and delivering results. She also developed the groundbreaking course on Innovation Management at the University of Toronto. This course was the first of its kind in North America to introduce how to develop and assess organization-wide innovation cultures, as well as develop the creative, strategic, and transformational skills needed for innovation.
 
Her recent work synthesizes years of experience and research on the topics of creativity, innovation, existential philosophy, workplace culture, and personal transformation. Her unique approach to Meaning, with a specific focus on Meaning at Work, Meaning Centric Leadership, and Meaning Centric Innovation, has been embraced by many leading global organizations and profiled in media around the world. She has delivered many lectures and speeches, sharing her message of Meaning internationally, including Austria, Canada, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, and the United States, 
 
She is the author of 3 best-selling books on Meaning and Innovation, available globally in 24 (and counting) languages: Prisoners of Our Thoughts (Self Help Book of the Year; Foreword by Stephen Covey), The OPA! Way (Uniquely inspired by Greek Philosophy; 8 Literary Awards), and The Seeds of Innovation (Top Ten Business Book of the Year by The Globe & Mail, Canada). Her 4th book on Meaning will be launched in the near future. Elaine is also a subject matter expert and columnist on the Search for Meaning for Psychology Today.

As a Meaning Philosopher, Elaine is dedicated to helping people discover new meaning in their lives and work, and at a systems level, connect to the deeper meaning in organizations, communities, and societies.