Robert Stone is President and Chief Executive Officer of City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment organizations. He joined City of Hope in 1996 and has held multiple senior leadership roles, becoming President in 2012 and CEO in 2014. In 2021, he was named the Helen and Morgan Chu Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. Under his leadership, City of Hope expanded from a regional institution into a nationally prominent cancer enterprise with a growing footprint across California, Georgia, Illinois, and Arizona. The organization now delivers care to more than 150,000 patients annually and employs approximately 14,000 staff, including hundreds of clinicians and more than 1,000 scientists and researchers.
City of Hope is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and has been ranked among the top U.S. hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report in recent years. Under Stone’s leadership, City of Hope significantly expanded its translational research enterprise, strengthening integration between laboratory discovery and clinical care. The institution advanced early-phase clinical trials, broadened precision medicine programs, and accelerated development in areas such as cell and gene therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and targeted therapeutics, reinforcing City of Hope’s role as a national engine for oncology innovation.
The 100 CEOs featured here reflect the diversity and complexity of modern oncology leadership. In 2025, some lead the world’s largest cancer institutions; others guide specialized societies or emerging innovators. What unites them is responsibility: for millions of patients, for the integrity of science, and for the future direction of cancer care globally.
This list is not a celebration of power, but a recognition of stewardship, accountability, and impact – and of the leaders whose choices continue to shape the fight against cancer. For the many deserving individuals not mentioned in this list, we will continue to acknowledge, honor and elevate your voices in our daily publications from across the world.
See the full list of The 100 Influential CEOs in Oncology in 2025 and stay tuned For other special category nominations.
