Perimenopause—Why Are We Not Talking About it?

In this episode, our guests talk about perimenopause and how more needs to be done to support community college employees with the challenges associated with it.  Approximately 50% of the population experiences perimenopause, and for many of these individuals—colleagues and leaders alike—this natural process brings physical and emotional symptoms that can disrupt workplace performance for years. A 2023 Korn Ferry survey of over 8,000 women found that 47% experienced symptoms affecting their work, with the majority feeling unsupported by their organizations around their perimenopausal needs. Symptoms like hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, and brain fog can hinder productivity and negatively impact career progression, absenteeism, and turnover, particularly among senior leadership. Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of whom to approach about these issues, and few institutions have developed inclusive policies to address them.  Our guests are: Aliesha Crowe, vice president of academic affairs at Northwood Technical College Kristen Raney, president of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College