The spa and wellness industry is mourning the loss of Lisa Henry Jacobs, a beloved industry veteran and international consultant, who died in November following a battle with cancer.

Based in Boulder, Colorado, Jacobs was a vibrant, well-respected figure in the luxury spa, wellness and hospitality sectors for more than three decades. Throughout her treatment journey, her industry community rallied around her and launched multiple GoFundMe initiatives to help ease the financial burden of her care.

Jacobs began her career in spa operations, quickly advancing into leadership roles across the US and internationally. In 1999, she settled in Colorado and embarked on an 18-year tenure with Blu Spas as a senior spa and wellness consultant, collaborating with established brands like Hilton and Four Seasons.

In 2000, she launched The Collective Well, her own spa consultancy, leading the development of more than 200 spa projects in 20 countries. From 2012 to 2013, she also served as director of North American spa development for luxury skincare brand ila.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jacobs was deeply passionate about staying active and the great outdoors. A certified personal trainer and yoga instructor, she founded a hiking and wellness company, blending her love for nature with her commitment to wellbeing.

She also played a pivotal role in promoting sustainability as an active board member of the Green Spa Network, advocating for eco-conscious spa practices.

Reflection

The spa and wellness industry has come together in overwhelming numbers to pay tribute to Jacobs, celebrating her influence on colleagues, clients and friends across the globe.

The team at Blu Spas paid a heartfelt tribute to their colleague, saying: “Lisa was the first addition to our team. She made an immediate impact through her exceptional operational expertise and her unique talent for finding a germ of an idea and crafting it into a spiritual connection between a project, its location and its core concept.

“Her magnetic personality, generous spirit and genuine warmth made people feel deeply connected to her. Her intense passion for our industry and the people in our industry, and her endless quest to discover compelling ways to make wellness more accessible made her a leading and respected voice. We are better having had her in our lives, and we are grateful for every moment of our time with her.”

Celebration of life eventsIn accordance with Jacobs’ wishes, three events will be held to honour her life and legacy, reflecting the impact she had on those around her:

• 7 December, 1:00 PM: Sunrise Amphitheatre, Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder, Colorado – a special location where Jacobs and her husband were married. Get more details here.• Early 2025: Northern California (date TBA).

• Early 2025: Stowe, Vermont (date TBA).