About this episode

What if the traditional search-and-rescue system was never built for the people who need it most?

In this powerful episode of the Marquis Masters Podcast, Ryan Estes sits down with Gene Saunders, Founder and CEO of Project Lifesaver, to explore how one former police captain transformed emergency response for families affected by autism, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive disorders.

Gene shares how his decades of experience in law enforcement and special operations exposed a critical flaw in conventional search-and-rescue methods. When individuals with cognitive conditions wander, time is everything. Traditional systems were not designed for that reality.

Founded in 1999, Project Lifesaver has grown into a global nonprofit operating through more than 1,800 agencies and has helped bring home over 5,000 individuals safely. Using specialized radio-frequency technology that operates when GPS fails, the organization has reduced average rescue times to under 20 minutes. The impact is life-changing for families and first responders alike.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why wandering is more common than most families realize

• The early warning signs caregivers should never ignore

• How RF tracking technology works when other systems go dark

• The emotional and tactical realities of search and rescue

• What it takes to build and scale a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

• Lessons in leadership, resilience, and long-term mission focus

Gene also shares personal stories from the field, insights into nonprofit growth, and practical ways everyday people can support the mission.

If you are a caregiver, first responder, nonprofit leader, or someone who believes technology should serve humanity at its most vulnerable moments, this conversation is for you.

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Project Lifesaver Website: https://projectlifesaver.org

• Gene Saunders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsaunders/

For more information about the Marquis Masters Podcast and Marquis Who’s Who, visit:https://marquiswhoswho.com

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