Episode 039: Women in Work: Empowering Female Leaders Beyond Reproduction

Melissa Ashley, founder of Women in Work US and the Menopause Mandate, joins us for a compelling conversation about workplace support through every stage of women's lives, especially menopause.She shares her journey of recognizing that while companies focus on reproductive health, they often neglect supporting women through menopause, despite this demographic making up approximately 20% of the US workforce. "There's not a lot that's really targeted to C-suite executives in the HR and benefits area that talks about the how," Melissa explains, highlighting the gap her organization fills through impactful events and resources.We explore the fascinating reality that women in midlife are typically at the peak of their careers—more confident, experienced, and free from many earlier life constraints. As Melissa puts it, "We're less constrained, we're more comfortable with ourselves, we've really come into our own and can be much stronger contributors as well as consumers." This perspective reframes the conversation from viewing menopause as a liability to recognizing it as a period of tremendous potential.The conversation takes a turn when Melissa reveals her groundbreaking initiative: the first national free Menopause Mandate advice line. This resource connects women with qualified menopause guides for 15-minute consultations, addressing the critical gap in healthcare support. With roughly 56,000 OBGYNs nationwide and approximately 70-80% lacking menopause education, countless women find themselves dismissed by medical professionals during this critical life transition.Whether you're an HR professional seeking actionable strategies to support your workforce, a woman navigating perimenopause or menopause, or simply interested in creating more inclusive workplaces, this episode delivers invaluable insights. Join us to discover how supporting women through all life stages creates stronger organizations and more fulfilling careers.Ready to make a difference in your organization? Connect with Melissa through LinkedIn or visit menopausemandate.org to learn about access to the free advice line.For WiW Events, visit www.wiwsummitus.com. MiDOViA LINKS:Website: https://www.midovia.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymidoviaLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/midoviaEmail Us: [email protected] is dedicated to changing the narrative about menopause by educating, raising awareness & supporting women in this stage of life, both at home and in the workplace. Visit midovia.com to learn more.The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images & other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.