Elaine

"ELENI" (ΕΛΕΝΗ)

Elaine Dundon is CEO of The OPA! Way®, a new paradigm and approach to Living & Working with Meaning that is uniquely inspired by Greek philosophy and culture. 

Elaine's journey has evolved from a focus on left-brain thinking and activities to one focused more on the heart and spirit.  She was raised in a "left-brain family" and guided to become an accountant and banker.  However, following the completion of her MBA degree, Elaine spent 15 years working in brand management/strategy/leadership, including at Procter & Gamble.  With a keen interest in new products and new business models, Elaine founded The Innovation Group Consulting Inc. in 1995 and began to focus on the emerging area of Innovation Management.

In addition to having helped individuals identify ideas to improve and engage with their work, Elaine advised leaders on how to inspire employee-driven innovation as well as build a new model of leadership and organizational culture based on Innovation and Meaning.  She has advised some of the world's best organizations, including ADP, American Society for Quality, Astra-Zeneca, Cargill, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Citigroup, The Conference Board, Four Seasons Hotels, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Mars Inc., The Mayo Clinic, New York & Company, Ontario Public Service (Canada), The Penn State University, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, among others.

Elaine designed and taught the first-of-its-kind, integrated university course on Innovation Management in North America, in the business program at the University of Toronto.  She authored an international best-selling book, The Seeds of Innovation, which was named by The Globe and Mail as a "top 10 business read of the year" and has appeared on numerous top ten best-selling lists since its initial release.  The book has been translated for the fast-growing markets of China and Russia and is published by Prentice-Hall for the market in India.  Her work has also been featured globally in numerous publications, including The Futurist, Global CEO India, Executive Excellence, HR Innovator, Leadership Excellence, among others. 

As Elaine ("Eleni" or "Ελένη" in Greek) reflected on her work and personal journey, she realized that something was still missing.  Her work in Innovation Management had taught her that there must be an authentic connection with the work one is doing and that ultimately creativity and innovation must come from both the head and the heart.  She also realized that engagement, high performance, and innovation must begin from the "Core of Meaning."

In support of this shift in consciousness and heightened awareness, Elaine began to study Greek Philosophy and Metaphysics, earning a Ph.D. degree in this area.  Now as a keynote speaker, seminar leader, and organizational adviser, Elaine is dedicated to helping individuals live and work The OPA! Way® as well as helping all leaders to inspire meaningful engagement and innovation as they transform their organizations into  "OPA! Organizations."  She is currently co-authoring a new book on "The OPA! Way®" in addition to taking on new responsibilities as CEO of the OPA! Center located in sunny, historic Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.  The journey continues...
 
One of Elaine’s favorite quotes is from the philosopher Socrates: “the unexamined life is not worth living.”  OPA!