Mark Victor Hansen is an American inspirational and motivational speaker, trainer, and author. He is best known as the founder and co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.

Mark Victor Hansen was born to Danish immigrants, Una and Paul Hansen, and grew up in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1970 with a B.A. in speech communications.

Along with business partner, Jack Canfield, Hansen is best known for creating what Time magazine called “the publishing phenomenon of the decade.” Chicken Soup for the Soul books are one of the most successful publishing franchises in the world today, with more than 500 million books sold internationally and more than 100 licensed products.