Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., affectionately nicknamed "Dr. Meaning," is widely known and respected as a pioneer in transformational thinking. As the founder of the Center for Meaning, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, he is passionate about helping people realize their highest potential and find deeper, authentic meaning in their life and work. He is the author of the international best-selling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, which is based on the wisdom of (and was encouraged personally by) his mentor, the world-renown psychiatrist, Dr. Viktor Frankl, author of the classic best-seller, Man's Search for Meaning. Prisoners of Our Thoughts, which includes a Foreword by Dr. Stephen R. Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People), is currently available in 15 languages and is the inspiration and basis of a feature-length documentary film that is in pre-production. A revised paperback edition was released in 2008 with a new subtitle, "Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work." In July 2010, a second edition (revised and updated) will be released. Among other changes, the second edition includes a new chapter, "The Meaning Difference®," that summarizes research demonstrating the critical role of meaning in improving the quality of people's lives, increasing happiness and resiliency, fostering engagement, and promoting health and wellness.

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER! Prisoners of Our Thoughts, a national Top-10 bestseller in Spain (Spanish title: En Busca del Sentido), was released in a revised edition in early 2009!

Alex proudly describes himself as a "pracademic," that is, someone who seeks to bridge the worlds of the practitioner and academic by linking practice and theory. He is a former therapist and mental health administrator, political campaign organizer, community & economic development policy planner, and full-time university professor of public and business administration. He has worked closely with several Presidential administrations on social and human services policy matters, and served as an adviser to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He was also one of the initial faculty evaluators for the Innovations In American Government Awards Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and has been a faculty member at The Brookings Institution. He is a past president of Renaissance Business Associates (RBA), an international, nonprofit association of people committed to elevating the human spirit in the workplace. During his tenure as president, RBA was active in Australia, Canada, Europe, Nigeria, South Africa, and the USA.

Dr. Pattakos understands the challenges facing people in today's uncertain times. Through his work with Fortune 500 companies, public and nonprofit organizations, and university teaching, Alex has helped people at all levels and in all walks of life build their capacities for personal and organizational transformation. As a principal of The Innovation Group (www.seedsofinnovation.com), he also consults internationally with individuals, teams, and organizations in all sectors and industries with a focus on designing innovation systems, processes, products, and policies that make a positive difference and are truly "meaningful."

Dr. Pattakos is a passionate speaker (after all, he's Greek!) and is known around the world for his high energy, inspirational, and dynamic approach to engaging participants and affecting change at all levels. As a personal coach and mentor, he works closely with executives, athletes, celebrities, workers from all sectors, retirees, and others to help them find deeper meaning in their life & work and realize their highest potential. As an experienced radio host, weekly columnist for The National Herald (the leading and oldest Greek American newspaper in America), and featured contributor to several popular blogs (including The Huffington Post and Fast Company), Alex Pattakos, aka "Dr. Meaning," frequently appears in the mass media--printed and electronic--to share his meaning-centered message.

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