# Joel Theisen

> Joel Theisen is a registered nurse, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Minnesota-based Lifespark. After working in critical care and home- and community-based services, he founded AgeWell in 2004 with Carole Overby and Beth Nemec, later developing it into Lifespark. His operating thesis is that services for older adults should be coordinated around the whole person - including purpose, relationships, independence, and everyday life - rather than delivered as disconnected episodes.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Lifespark
- **Organizations:** Lifespark, AgeWell Home Care, AdvoLife, In Home Health, St. Mary's Hospital
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Viterbo University
- **Known for:** Founded Lifespark, originally AgeWell Home Care, in 2004., Built Lifespark from an initial approximately $500,000 investment to nearly $90 million in revenue, according to his 2026 NIC speaker biography., Named to the Twin Cities 40 Under 40 in 2007.

## Career timeline

- **1990s** — Worked as a critical-care nurse and in home- and community-based services; later led venture-backed AdvoLife in California.
- **2004** — Raised approximately $500,000 from friends and family and co-founded AgeWell Home Care with Carole Overby and Beth Nemec in Minnesota.
- **2007** — Named to the Twin Cities 40 Under 40.
- **2016** — Lifesprk was recognized on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Fast 50 and Best Places to Work lists.
- **2017** — Named to LeadingAge Minnesota's 50 for the Next 50 and selected as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
- **2018** — Led Lifesprk into a Utah joint venture and publicly explained the company's shift from an age-centered identity toward living.
- **2020** — Lifesprk raised $16.1 million to support growth and its technology platform.
- **2021** — Lifespark announced a UCare partnership and raised a $20 million Series B led by Virgo-managed funds with UCare participation.
- **2021** — Received Viterbo University's College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement distinguished alumni award.
- **2024** — Appeared in leadership and industry interviews discussing whole-person services, culture, growth, and the practice of failing forward.
- **2025** — Lifespark became the operating partner for five Wisconsin senior housing communities acquired by LTC Properties in a $195 million transaction.
- **2026** — Presented Lifespark's COMPLETE senior living approach at the NIC Spring Conference and continued public discussions about rethinking senior living with Dr. Bill Thomas.

## Achievements

- Founded Lifespark, originally AgeWell Home Care, in 2004.
- Built Lifespark from an initial approximately $500,000 investment to nearly $90 million in revenue, according to his 2026 NIC speaker biography.
- Named to the Twin Cities 40 Under 40 in 2007.
- Named among LeadingAge Minnesota's 50 for the Next 50 in 2017.
- Selected as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in multiple years, including 2017.
- Received Viterbo University's 2021 College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement award.
- Hosted Lifespark LIVE: The COMPLETE Shift, a podcast featuring conversations about aging, senior living, and services for older adults.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Joined Dr. Bill Thomas for a Foresight TV conversation about redesigning senior living around the person and community.
- **2026-03** — Appeared as a speaker at the 2026 NIC Spring Conference in a session titled 'Senior Housing's Long-Overdue Moment in Healthcare.'
- **2025-12** — Appeared with Dr. Bill Thomas on The (not) Late SLIF Show to discuss Lifespark's COMPLETE model, resident engagement, and senior-living economics.
- **2025-09** — Lifespark became the operating partner for five Wisconsin senior housing communities in LTC Properties' $195 million acquisition.
- **2024-11** — Appeared on The Medical Alley Podcast to discuss Lifespark's critique of fragmented, reactive service models.

## Links

- Website: https://lifespark.com/about/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeltheisenrn
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Lifespark_CEO
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/lifesparkbeyou/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/joel-theisen
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-27