Widely recognized as a visionary thinker and thought leader, Linda Stone is a writer, speaker and consultant focused on trends and their strategic and consumer implications. Previously, she spent close to twenty years as an executive in high technology.

In 1986, she was persuaded to join Apple Computer, where she had the opportunity to do pioneering work in multimedia hardware, software and publishing. In 1993, Stone joined Microsoft Research, co-founded and directed the Virtual Worlds Group/Social Computing Group, as well as researched online social life and virtual communities. In 2000, she supported CEO Steve Ballmer to help improve industry relationships and contribute to a constructive evolution of the corporate culture.

Over the years, Stone has been recognized by Upside Magazine as one of the Upside 100 Leaders of the Digital Revolution, by I.D. Magazine as one of the I.D. 40, and she was featured in John Brockman’s book, THE DIGERATI, which described her as a visionary both within Microsoft and to the industry at large.