Senior health and housing veteran with nearly 40 years’ experience will scale integrated, value-based senior health across Lifespark’s growing portfolio
MINNEAPOLIS, MN, October 13, 2026. Lifespark, a complete senior health company, today announced that Kathy LeVee has joined the organization as President of Senior Living. LeVee brings nearly 40 years of experience in senior health and housing. Most recently, she was CEO of Generations Senior Living. For 30 of her 40 years, LeVee was Vice President, Operations at Marquis Companies as the operational strategic leader for post-acute, assisted and independent living, memory care, home health, and hospice. She was also deeply involved in strategic planning at both Consonus (Pharmacy and Rehab) and AgeRight, the physician services/nurse practitioner arm of the company. Additionally, LeVee was Principal and Consultant with Latitude Health Partners.
LeVee joins Lifespark at a pivotal point. The company announced in January 2026 its COMPLETE Senior Living (CSL) model with plans for scale and is on pace, having grown more than 25% this year with nearly 60 communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“I wanted to work in something I haven’t done before, and the sheer size of what we’re building is exciting,” said LeVee. “I’m at a point in my career where I want to leave a legacy. Lifespark’s mission is contagious and it leads with purpose. I knew this is where I wanted to leave a footprint.”
According to Joel Theisen, BSN, RN, CEO, Lifespark, LeVee is a bit of an industry unicorn with a diverse skill set and expertise. “She’s a nationally known, extremely well-respected leader with proven long-term results in the senior living industry,” said Theisen. “Market timing is at a critical point where scale is necessary, and our CSL model is fully operational and ready. I am confident that the addition of LeVee’s talent, experience, and passion is what will take us to the front of the industry.”
Bringing value-based care to senior living
LeVee has experience driving value-based care in skilled environments but according to her, bringing that to both assisted living and independent living is a key differentiator that makes CSL unique. “In senior living, value-based care is still not always understood, but that’s what Lifespark does well. They’ve already tested it, built it, and are doing it right now, with significant outcomes for those we serve,” explained LeVee. “It also adds a third lever for community performance. In my experience, traditional senior living management relies on two: raising rates and controlling expenses. Neither addresses avoidable decline, hospitalizations, move-outs, or rising acuity. By helping residents stay healthier longer, what we are doing at Lifespark protects occupancy, extends length of stay, and strengthens net operating income all while engaging a workforce and driving health outcomes.”
LeVee also added that she wanted to be with an organization that is vested in data and analytics. “When you look at your investments and manage what you measure, you can raise your game,” said LeVee. “That will take us a long way as we drive long-term value in senior living as the gold standard for how health should be delivered.”
Today, Lifespark reports 95% occupancy across its portfolio compared to an assisted living industry average of about 89%, and an average resident length of stay of 27 months compared to about 22 months industry-wide. “Kathy has done this work in skilled settings and understands how value-based care can change outcomes. She is exactly the leader to carry what we’ve proven in senior living across a much larger footprint,” said Theisen.
Investing in the people behind the care
LeVee says her priority next year is the team members who deliver Lifespark’s model every day. Lifespark’s CSL model drives a more engaged workforce, as team members who embrace it have a better experience. “That matters to me and our industry,” added LeVee.
