Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., is a political scientist and co-founder of The OPA! Way®, a new paradigm for Living & Working with Meaning uniquely inspired by Greek philosophy and culture.
He is the author of the international best-selling book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts, which is based on the wisdom of his mentor, the world-renown psychiatrist Dr. Viktor Frankl, who personally urged him to write it. The book is available in 20 languages and multiple formats.
A pioneer in the personal transformation area, he is passionate about helping people realize their highest potential and find authentic meaning in their life and work, as well as helping organizations in all sectors and industries create meaningful workplaces and deliver products and services that make a positive difference and are truly meaningful.
Proudly describing himself as a pracademic (i.e., linking practice and theory), he has worked closely with all levels of government, including the White House under three presidents, on health, education, human services, economic development, and other policy matters, as well as has served as an adviser to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
A U.S. Army veteran, he is also a former therapist and mental health administrator, political campaign organizer, and full-time university professor of public and business administration.
He was one of the initial faculty evaluators for the Innovations in American Government Awards Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
He is one of the founding members of the Board of Directors of the Boston Global Forum, an international nonprofit network of thought leaders, both academic and practitioners hosted at Harvard University, who collaborate on-line and in person for the purposes of identifying, discussing, and proposing meaningful, innovative, and practical solutions to issues of global concern.