Alex Pattakos

Alexander (Alex) Pattakos, PhD, is cofounder of the Global Meaning Institute and coauthor of the international best-selling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work, available in 29+ languages (Greek: "Αιχμάλωτοι των σκέψεων μας”, ΨΥΧΟΓΙΟΣ). Prisoners of Our Thoughts is based on the wisdom of the world-renowned psychiatrist, Viktor E. Frankl, MD, PhD, who personally urged Dr. Pattakos to write it. Pattakos is also coauthor of the award-winning, Greek-inspired book on the human quest for meaning, The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work (Greek: "Η μέθοδος ΟΠΑ!”, ΕΣΤΙΑ; Audiobook: JukeBooks/Antenna Group), as well as is the co-creator of MEANINGology®—the "study and practice of Meaning in life, work, and society.”

Dr. Pattakos is a subject matter expert on the human quest for meaning and a regular contributor to Psychology Today magazine. He has also been a longtime columnist on the topic of "Meaning in Government" for the PA TIMES, a publication of the American Society for Public Administration. His unique background includes being a former therapist and mental health administrator, as well as a full-time professor of public and business administration, including graduate program head. He is recognized as the world's leading authority on applying Viktor Frankl's System of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis to work, the workplace, and organizations in business and government. In this connection, he was awarded the title of Honorary Professor by the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis, Moscow, Russia.

With expertise in political science, humanistic psychology, existential philosophy, and innovation management, Alex has been privileged to have worked internationally with all levels of government, including service to the White House under three presidents in the United States. He has also been an adviser to the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as was one of the initial faculty evaluators for the Innovations in American Government Awards Program, now offered by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is a former elected member of the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration, the largest and most prominent professional association dedicated to advancing the art, science, teaching, and practice of public and nonprofit administration.