From Wristbands to AI: A New Cancer Playbook | Suzanne Stone, CEO, Livestrong

How do you go from a cultural icon like the yellow wristbands to building AI products?  Livestrong’s CEO Suzanne Stone argues that the through line is a focus on survivorship, the life you live from diagnosis onward. This is the leap from story to community to software and back again.

Highlights

• 01:34 Mission: Survivorship Over Cures
• 06:18 The Wristband as Community Signal
• 12:39 Fertility Program and Real Cost of Cancer
• 14:34 Copycats and What Persists 
• 25:20 From Guidebook to Ellis, a Trusted Closed-Loop AI
• 38:56 Guardrails, Swim Lanes, and Safety
• 51:35 Revenue Engines and Scaling
• 01:02:40 What’s Next Austin? 

Guest Bio
Suzanne Stone is a Texas Christian University graduate and Louisiana native whose career began in television, earning a regional Emmy Award for her work in Dallas. In 1998, she transitioned from producing television to teaching it in the nonprofit sector, leading public access television initiatives in Naperville, Illinois, and later in upstate New York.

Beyond media, Suzanne spent four years as Head Coach of a New York Community college women’s basketball team while simultaneously managing a local TV station. Her passion for impact-driven work led her back to Texas, where she has since dedicated her career to leading nonprofit organizations across the state, including Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Children’s Miracle Network, Lake Travis Education Foundation, and Susan G. Komen Greater Central and East Texas.

In 2019, she joined Livestrong to spearhead its mission initiatives, and in November 2023, she was named President & CEO. Today, she leads the organization in its commitment to ensuring that anyone affected by cancer has the resources and support they need to live the highest quality of life possible, regardless of the diagnosis.

Guest Links
Suzanne Stone: LinkedIn
Livestrong: Website, X, Ellis, Livestrong Challenge 2025

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Austin Next Links: Website, X/Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
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