85-Year-Old CEO of a Healthtech Company Doesn't Take a Salary

At 85 years old, Charlie Nahabedian is not the typical tech CEO. As the head of VK Digital Health, he works almost every day, maintains an active and social lifestyle, and doesn't take a salary — all of which challenges just about every assumption about aging, leadership, and what drives people to keep working.

Nahabedian's story is a striking counterpoint to the narrative that innovation and entrepreneurship are the exclusive province of the young. In an industry obsessed with youth — where founders in their twenties attract billions in venture capital — the 85-year-old CEO represents a different model of leadership, one built on decades of experience and a sense of mission that transcends financial compensation.

His decision to forgo a salary is particularly notable. While it's not uncommon for wealthy founders of well-funded startups to take minimal pay, Nahabedian's arrangement appears driven less by tax strategy and more by a genuine commitment to the company's mission of improving healthcare access through technology. For him, the work itself appears to be the reward.

The healthtech sector is one of the fastest-growing corners of the technology industry, and it requires a blend of technical expertise and healthcare domain knowledge that can take a career to accumulate. Nahabedian's longevity in the workforce may actually be an asset in an industry where understanding the complexities of the healthcare system is as valuable as coding skills.

His lifestyle — active, social, and intellectually engaged — also offers a model for healthy aging that geriatricians have long advocated. Staying professionally and socially engaged is associated with better cognitive function, lower rates of depression, and longer life expectancy in older adults.

What This Means For You: If you're approaching retirement age and dreading it, Nahabedian's story is proof that there's no expiration date on purpose. You don't have to stop working if you don't want to — and the skills and perspective you've built over a career may be more valuable than ever. If you're a younger professional, take note: the best leaders aren't always the youngest. Experience, patience, and deep domain knowledge are competitive advantages that no AI can replicate.