Travel Mentor & Adventure Geezer
Don has filled many roles in his professional and personal life – psychologist, aerospace engineer, educator, futurist, consultant, and most recently, award-winning travel writer. What they all have in common is his commitment to innovation, in the form of new ideas, new programs, new places to visit, and new ways to look at how we live and work. After earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from Drexel University and a Ph.D. in psychology from The Johns Hopkins University, Don worked for 35 years as a psychology professor and dean at various universities throughout the US and has consulted for many organizations, large and small. He authored four books on management and organizational psychology, including Teams and Technology (Harvard Business School Press) and Business Without Boundaries (Jossey-Bass).
Don has also made it his personal mission to explore the far reaches of the planet. His adventures have taken him to over 70 countries and all seven continents. Several of his trips are described in his most recent book, Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean: A Guide to 50 Extraordinary Adventures for the Seasoned Traveler (National Geographic Press, 2008). Don has learned a great deal from his travels, about the world, himself, and human nature. This, plus his years as a professional psychologist and educator, has led him to a deep understanding of how adventure travel and experiences can transform our lives, work, relationships, and organizations. This is the current focus of his work and the writing, speaking, consulting, and coaching services he offers.