The Beat

How Liana Guzmán and FOLX Health Are Redefining Inclusive, Whole-Person Care for the Next Generation

Episode Summary

The future of healthcare will depend on whole-person care, patient-centered design, and community-rooted delivery. In this episode, Liana Guzmán, CEO of FOLX Health, discusses how her organization is reimagining care for the LGBTQIA+ community through integrated primary and mental health services, community support, and accessible telehealth. She explains why emerging technologies like AI must be adopted thoughtfully to avoid reinforcing bias and why trust, cultural competence, and safety are prerequisites for better outcomes. Liana walks through FOLX Health’s evolution from a cash-pay subscription model to an insurance-supported membership structure, highlighting the dangers of poorly trained AI systems and outlining the clinical and financial consequences of failing to invest in affirming care. She also dispels myths about telehealth, shares the demographic realities shaping the future, and emphasizes the urgency for employers and payers to act now. Tune in and learn how inclusive, community-centered care can transform outcomes and reshape the healthcare landscape.

Episode Notes

About Liana Guzmán:

Liana M. Douillet Guzmán is a seasoned CEO and consumer-tech leader known for driving transformative growth across healthcare, finance, education, and professional services. As CEO of FOLX Health, she has expanded the company’s national reach and service offerings, helping establish it as the leading digital healthcare provider for the LGBTQIA+ community. With nearly two decades of experience scaling disruptive companies, she previously served as CMO at Skillshare and COO at Blockchain, where she played a key role in growing the platform from 4 million to 40 million users and building a globally recognized brand. 

Liana also spent nine years shaping Axiom’s international expansion and marketing strategy across the U.S., EMEA, and APAC regions. A Henry Crown Fellow and three-time Fast Company Queer 50 honoree, she is a sought-after speaker at global forums including DAVOS, Fortune Brainstorm, Web Summit, and HLTH. Beyond her executive work, she co-founded The Pink Agenda and serves on the boards of GLAAD and The Elizabeth Park Conservancy. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she brings a global mindset and people-first leadership style to every role.

Things You’ll Learn:

• Whole-person, patient-centered, community-oriented care is the future. When these three pillars align, outcomes improve and trust increases across populations.
• Telehealth is not a compromise; it’s often the safest, most accessible option. For many people, digital care is the only environment where they feel safe, respected, and willing to seek support.
• AI can either transform healthcare or exacerbate and dangerously amplify inequality. Without careful oversight and representative data, large language models can reinforce harmful misinformation.
• Affirming care is a clinical and financial necessity, not a niche service. Avoiding preventive care can lead to dangerous delays and significantly higher system costs.
• Demographic shifts make inclusive care a strategic imperative. With a quarter of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQIA+, employers and payers who invest early will capture long-term loyalty and economic value.

Resources:

• Connect with and follow Liana Guzmán on LinkedIn.
• Follow FOLX Health on LinkedIn and Instagram, and visit their website.