This episode of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast with Dr. Lou DeGenerro, formerly CEO of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, now known as Blood Cancer United. I have a tradition as I record these introductions where I go back and listen to the episode, the day of release, so that it is fresh on my heart as I record this introduction. And no more than today is that important because I released this episode in the memory of John Greene, a volunteer I met at Leukemia Lymphoma Society many years ago at a volunteer leadership conference in DC. We lost John on November 30th to AML. And as I listened to this podcast with Dr. Lou and his lifelong focus on AML, I realized why his work is so important.

Who is Dr. Lou?

Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., is managing partner at Cantlous Advisory Partners (CAP), a pioneering consulting firm working at the intersection of venture philanthropy, non-profit fundraising, and biotechnology innovation. CAP’s mission is to drive collaborative efforts that result in transformative advancements in healthcare. Prior to his current role, Dr. DeGennaro was president and chief executive officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), a global leader in the fight against cancer with an annual budget of $500 million.

As the key architect of LLS's cures and access agenda, Dr. DeGennaro conceived and pioneered LLS’s Therapy Acceleration Program® - a venture philanthropy approach to accelerating new treatments to patients through drug discovery and development partnerships with the biotechnology industry. LLS’s foray into venture philanthropy helped redefine the activist role of non-profits to meet urgent unmet medical needs. Under Dr. DeGennaro’s leadership LLS also launched its groundbreaking precision medicine Beat AML® Master Clinical Trial and Dare to Dream, a research, advocacy, and patient support effort that features a global, master clinical trial in pediatric leukemia.

In his operating role at LLS, Dr. DeGennaro oversaw the growth of annual revenue from $225 million in 2014 to $500 million in 2023 through innovative fundraising programs that cut across peer-to-peer, corporate partnership, major gift, and service revenue channels.

After receiving his doctorate in biochemistry from the University of California at San Francisco, Dr. DeGennaro conducted post-doctoral research at the Yale University School of Medicine. His previous academic appointments include research group leader, Max Planck Institute, Munich, Germany and associate professor of neurology and cell biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School. His previous private sector appointments included Senior Director, Molecular Genetics, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Executive Vice President, Synex Pharmaceuticals. Dr. DeGennaro is the author of 100 scientific publications.

This Thanksgiving week, we come to you with two special episodes of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast. One, a conversation with Rick Dunetz, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of the Side-Out Foundation, who you heard from in an earlier episode. In this episode, we take a different path as we talk about tribes and community inspired by the book Tribes from Seth Godin. We talk about how Side-Out intersects two tight knit communities, volleyball and metastatic breast cancer, the power of community and advocacy and building the next generation of advocates as Side-Out brings innovative approaches to awareness and engagement. We also talk about StoryCorps® and Team Powdered Donuts' upcoming road trip via Airstream® starting next fall.

Enjoy our full conversation here, and you can also listen to the other episode that dropped today with some outtakes from both this episode and others about the road trip and advice I've received to date about my mobile love letter and "love crusade" hitting the road next fall.

Gary’s heartfelt journey will span the U.S., stopping at all 73 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers and other meaningful locations along the way, starting with a Southwest leg in the Fall of 2026 and continuing across the country in June 2027 . At every stop, powdered donuts will be shared and stories will be collected – echoing the spirit of StoryCorps® – down to the Airstream® in which Gary will travel.

This episode captures the seeds of the idea in a conversation with Rick Dunetz, Founder of the Side-Out Foundation, along with some fun outtakes from past episodes with advice from previous guests. This upcoming journey is truly more than a road trip. It is a mobile love letter. A love crusade. "One Story. One Moment. One Donut at a time."

Some episodes can't be introduced. They have to be experienced. This conversation with Mark Roithmayr, CEO of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, is one of those episodes. Like Mark, I too was forever changed by a young man, Kethan, and his inspiring parents. Like Mark, I, too, will continue to hope to honor his memory and to honor the memory of my late wife, Maureen, as I continue my powdered doughnut tradition on the air with this podcast and next year as I go on the road via Airstream®. "One Story, One Moment. One Donut at a time."

"We don't have to change everything. We just have to change our one thing. And if we each indeed change our one thing, then we will have changed everything." Kethan changed me like he changed Mark. Please listen into this heartfelt conversation with dear friend, Mark Roithmayr, as we reflect on a career that is not only rich in memories, but rich in impact.

Who Is Mark Roithmayr?

Mark Roithmayr is an admired nonprofit leader with four decades of experience in both start-ups and mature organizations. As Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), Mr. Roithmayr is responsible for steering the Foundation’s overall strategy, focus, and business operations. Since joining the ADDF in 2017, the organization has transformed dramatically in impact, scale, presence, and brand. Under his leadership, ADDF’s revenue has increased five-fold from $17M to an excess of $90M and mission-related investing has grown over 100%.

As such, Mr. Roithmayr sets the strategic vision of the ADDF and works in partnership with the Co-Founder and CSO, Howard Fillit, MD, Executive Leadership, and the Board of Governors and Overseers to advance and execute the Foundation’s mission of accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. His areas of expertise and focus include venture philanthropy, strategic planning, volunteer development, and brand-building. One of Mr. Roithmayr’s milestone accomplishments was securing Bill Gates, as well as Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott, as donors to further the Foundation’s venture philanthropy efforts. Additionally, he secured a 10-figure gift from the families of Leonard and Ronald Lauder, ensuring all overhead costs will be covered at the ADDF for the next two decades.

Mr. Roithmayr actively participates in the Milken Institute’s LeadersLink Program, where he serves as seasoned mentor and advisor to emerging executive leaders. Additionally, he is routinely asked to guest lecture on the topic of non-profit leadership at Columbia University, Harvard School of Business, New York University, and Yale University. In 2019, Mr. Roithmayr was published in a Health Administration Press textbook “The Healthcare Nonprofit: Keys to Effective Management” in which he authored a chapter titled “Managing Volunteers.”

Prior to joining the ADDF, Mr. Roithmayr was Chief Relationship Officer at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There, he helped launch its venture philanthropy initiative, directed its 56 national chapters, and led annual fundraising of over $200 million. Prior his time at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, he served for seven years as president of Autism Speaks. As that organization's first president, he shepherded its growth from a start-up into the world's largest autism research and advocacy organization. Earlier in his career, Mr. Roithmayr held several executive positions, spanning two decades, with the March of Dimes. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications at Rowan University.

With Veteran's Day rooted in Armistice Day (which ended World War I), this episode of the Team Powdered Donut™ podcast is dropping at the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," when the peace agreement, the armistice, was signed. Like Arena Labs, Brian Ferguson is driven by a deep commitment to serving others, making him a perfect guest for this special Veteran's Day episode.

Although Gary's powdered donut tradition was born from his late wife, Maureen’s, passing from #metastaticbreastcancer, Team Powdered Donut's "one thing" ethos is bigger than cancer. Bigger than disease. Arena Lab's manifesto puts it best. It is about "The Service Archetype."

Arena's manifesto reflects their belief in the power of service and the responsibility we all share to support those who protect, heal, and advance society. Arena’s mission is to set a higher standard in healthcare by empowering frontline professionals with the tools and knowledge to thrive in their sacred calling. Their manifesto truly reflects their founder.

From the shores of Lake Erie to Miami University, as well as 20 years in high-performing teams across national security, special operations, and sports, Brian has indeed been in the arena. Was great to have him "in the (virtual) studio," too. Excited to share our conversation with you now. So many great stories and nuggets of wisdom.

Who Is Brian Ferguson?

Brian has spent his career working in high-performance organizations, learning from leaders and decision-makers in US national security, the military, and emerging technology. He has used those experiences to build Arena Labs, a company pioneering the field of High Performance Medicine ® and working across healthcare, elite military, the performing arts and professional sports.

Arena Labs partners with the top surgical, trauma, ICU and emergency department teams to use human performance data as a means of reducing medical error. By providing frontline doctors and nurses with tools and frameworks used by the world’s top performers under pressure, Arena Labs is redefining healthcare and using lessons-learned from hospitals for best-practices in sport, business and the military.

In 2018 Brian also co-founded The Liminal Collective, a unique human performance company focused on “enabling humanity’s boldest endeavors” in space travel, deep sea

exploration, and advancing the science of human creativity and expression. Earlier in his career Brian served in the military as a Navy Officer where he deployed to Afghanistan and various parts of the Middle East while being heavily involved in emerging technology and human performance efforts across special operations. Prior to joining the military, he worked in national security in both the Pentagon and the White House.

Brian is an advisor to the Brooklyn Nets and on faculty at Singularity University in Silicon Valley. He remains heavily involved in Veteran transition programs.

Texans voted in 2007 to create the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and to invest $3 billion in the state’s unprecedented fight against cancer. On November 5, 2019, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to continue CPRIT’s work and invest an additional $3 billion for finding and funding the best cancer research and prevention opportunities in the state.

Kristen and I unpacked so many fun stories from our shared journeys in Austin over the past two decades. As fellow parents of students, now alumni of St. Andrew's Episcopal School, to our shared experiences as students at the University of Texas School of Law, to our shared advocacy with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (now Blood Cancer United), including my cycling with her husband and son with Team In Training. This episode covers the gamut.

Once you listen, you'll understand how Kristen is truly living out her one thing. As a Texan who lost his wife to metastatic breast cancer, I am comforted knowing that Kristen is at the helm of CPRIT and ensuring that we no longer have to be lucky to not die of cancer.

Who is Kristen Doyle?

Kristen Doyle is Chief Executive Officer for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Created by the Texas Legislature and approved by a statewide vote in 2007, CPRIT leads the state’s unprecedented $6 billion investment initiative in cancer research and prevention. To date, the agency has awarded $4 billion in grants to Texas research institutions, community organizations, and companies through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs. CPRIT has recruited 340 distinguished researchers to Texas, supported the establishment, expansion, or relocation of 72 companies, and funded the delivery of 11 million prevention services reaching all 254 Texas counties.

Ms. Doyle joined CPRIT at its inception, serving in various roles, including as CPRIT’s general counsel, interim chief product development officer, and deputy executive officer. Ms. Doyle has played a pivotal role in establishing the policies and legal and regulatory foundations that ensure CPRIT maintains the highest standards in fulfilling our mission to accelerate cancer cures and treatments, and providing vital cancer prevention services throughout Texas.

Prior to joining CPRIT, Ms. Doyle was a partner at an Austin-based law firm practicing electric utility and natural gas law and served as Assistant Public Counsel for the Office of Public Utility Counsel. She received a B.S. in Public Policy from Indiana University and her J.D. and M.S. in Technology Commercialization from The University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Doyle, a cancer survivor, is the president of the board of directors for Wonders & Worries, a Texas-based non-profit, and previously served as vice chair of the board of directors for the Central Texas Chapter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Overview

In this engaging podcast episode, Gary Thompson interviews Suzanne Stone, the CEO of Livestrong, exploring her personal journey, professional experiences, and the impactful work of Livestrong in supporting cancer survivors. The conversation delves into themes of community, philanthropy, and the importance of moving forward in the face of challenges. Suzanne shares her insights on leadership, personal growth, and the significance of connection in the cancer community, emphasizing that no one should face cancer alone.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection to Livestrong

02:56 Getting to Know Suzanne Stone

06:09 Recreation and Personal Growth

09:03 Dreams and Aspirations

11:59 Early Career in Storytelling, Production and TV

17:57 Transition to Nonprofit Work

22:50 Philanthropy and Social Impact

29:59 Leadership at Susan G. Komen

37:32 Becoming CEO of Livestrong

44:36 The Livestrong Challenge and Community Impact

51:25 Sustainable Programs and Future Vision

Everyone Deserves To Grow Up With a Mom, Real Pink Podcast, Suzanne Stone and Kyla Thompson, Originally Aired July 14, 2018

From TV to Livestrong: Suzanne Stone's Journey of Impact, Her Success Story, Presented by Ivy Slater, December 23, 2024

Who Is Suzanne Stone?

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 truly Livestrong.

My conversation with Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor of MD Anderson Cancer Center is a special one. Mariana was Maureen's oncologist as my late wife's breast cancer metastasized from late 2013 into 2014. One of the things I always remember from our visits was Mariana's compassion and focus on Maureen. As Mariana put it so well, "When I'm with a patient, I understand my responsibility. I understand the privilege that I have and understand that I'm probably sharing incredibly hard things and I'm going do it the best way that I can, right? With compassion." Having witnessed it first hand, I can attest to Mariana doing it the best way that she can.

Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, MD, Medical Oncologist, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, MD, MSc, FASCO, is a tenured Professor in the Health Services Research Department, where she serves as ad interim Chair. She is also a Professor in the Breast Medical Oncology Department at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is a breast medical oncologist committed to improving the outcomes of her patients while preserving their quality of life and providing evidence-based, research-driven, compassionate care. She is recognized as a key opinion leader who is devoted to contributing to the field through patient care, research, and education by fostering the next generation of clinicians and researchers.

Her research interests focus on outcomes and cancer care delivery. Her work extends to areas related treatment-related complications and to studying the impact and determinants of treatment delays. In addition, she has been involved in the planning, design, and implementation of clinical trials and has been deeply involved in guideline methodology, having participated in the development of national and international breast cancer treatment guidelines. She serves as the Executive Officer for international affairs at SWOG, where she leads the Latin America Initiative. She has served ASCO in many roles, recently completing her last year as a member of the Board of Directors and currently serving as the Chair-elect of the Scientific Program committee.