Susan Ponder-Stansel

President & CEO, Alivia Care, Jacksonville

Alivia Care oversees 10 subsidiary organizations, including Community Hospice & Palliative Care, and delivers specialized support to patients and families facing advanced illnesses in North Florida and South Georgia. Alivia accepts all patients who are medically eligible, regardless of their ability to pay for care. Ponder-Stansel has been the parent company's CEO since it was formed in 2020. She also serves as chair of the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association.

EDUCATION: Florida State University (BS, MSW)

MENTOR: Tallahassee community activist Margaret Lynn Duggar has played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory. During my undergraduate tenure, she provided me with my initial job and instilled a dedication to elder care. Her belief in my potential equipped me with invaluable lessons and confidence.

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: The late Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles was an inspiration throughout his public service tenure. Chiles’ dedication to public service and his tireless advocacy for Florida’s children and families remain a testament to selfless public service.

READING: One is Jim Collins' Good to Great and the other is Blue Ocean Strategy by Renee Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim.

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA
“As the late Zig Ziglar said, you will seldom find a traffic jam on the extra mile, so make sure to travel it when you can.”