Kathleen Korpela, PMP, CSM
Kathleen Korpela is a recognized eldercare expert and founder of Living Goldenwell Inc., a first-of-its-kind global community for professional women supporting aging parents. Drawing on her personal experience as a “sandwich generation” caregiver, Kathleen built Living Goldenwell to provide connection, guidance, and practical resources to women navigating the complex eldercare journey while maintaining their careers and personal well-being. Her work focuses on transforming eldercare from a source of overwhelm into an opportunity for empowerment, purpose, and personal growth.
Prior to founding Living Goldenwell, Kathleen held leadership roles at Microsoft, Starbucks, and Getty Images, where she specialized in business development, strategic partnerships, and program management. Her extensive experience in corporate strategy, finance, and project leadership enables her to create impactful workshops, keynote presentations, and corporate programs that educate and empower organizations to support employees who are also caregivers. Kathleen is also the creator of Caregiving From The Middle, a private membership community offering live sessions, educational curriculum, and resources tailored specifically to professional women navigating eldercare.
Kathleen holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from the Foster School of Business, University of Washington and a BA in Business – Finance from the University of Washington. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Through her work, speaking engagements, and community initiatives, Kathleen continues to reshape the narrative around aging and caregiving, helping women lead with confidence, compassion, and clarity as they support their aging parents.
• Project Management Professional
• Certified Scrum Master
• LinkedIn Business Development Foundations
• University of Washington, Foster School of Business – MBA, Finance and International Business
• University of Washington – BA, Business (Finance)
• PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification
• Sigma Iota Chapter, Kappa Delta Sorority
• Team Leader, Business Overviews Content, CFO Training Cafe, Starbucks Finance Organization
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to living through the elder caregiving journey myself. Navigating the challenges of supporting my father with Alzheimer’s while raising young children and managing a corporate career taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of creating supportive systems. These experiences inspired me to build Living Goldenwell, where I help other women navigate eldercare without sacrificing their own well-being or careers.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering the eldercare or corporate support field to embrace the complexities of caregiving as opportunities for growth and leadership. Advocate for your aging parents while also prioritizing your own career and well-being. Seek out or create communities where you can share knowledge, resources, and guidance—it’s essential not to go through this journey alone.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would tell young women entering the eldercare or corporate support field to embrace the complexities of caregiving as opportunities for growth and leadership. Advocate for your aging parents while also prioritizing your own career and well-being. Seek out or create communities where you can share knowledge, resources, and guidance—it’s essential not to go through this journey alone.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
A major challenge is that many professional women feel isolated and underprepared for the demands of elder caregiving, especially when juggling careers and family. The opportunity lies in building comprehensive, supportive communities and programs that equip women with education, tools, and confidence to manage these responsibilities effectively, transforming caregiving from a source of overwhelm into a season of empowerment and purpose.
Locations
Living Goldenwell Inc.
3219 California Ave SW, Unit B, Seattle, WA 98116