Empowering Female Leadership and Navigating Menopause in the Workforce
Panelists for Empowering Female Leadership and Navigating Menopause in the Workforce webinar
We’re thrilled to share highlights from our recent Women in Nutraceuticals webinar: Female Leaders and Menopause hosted by Dr. Sybille Buchwald-Werner, Director of Business Development at ABFI and Co-Chair of the WIN Mentorship Program.
The event featured a comprehensive presentation on menopause, highlighting it as a natural life stage impacting half the global population, with over 1 billion women either currently experiencing or having gone through menopause.
Key Aspects Covered Included:
Types of Menopause: Premature menopause (before age 40), early menopause (ages 40-45), and induced menopause due to surgery or medical treatments.
Common Symptoms: Ranging from hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances to mood changes, cognitive symptoms, and cardiovascular and bone health impacts.
Workplace Impact: Over a third of women report menopause affects their work life, yet 75% note a lack of workplace accommodations.
Recommendations for workplaces to support menopausal employees included creating employee resource groups, designating a menopause point person, offering flexible work options, providing telehealth sessions, and even adjusting dress codes or physical accommodations to improve comfort.
Inspiring Panel of Experts Shared Valuable Insights:
Dr. Kayla Preece
A naturopathic doctor and advocate for women’s health, stresses the power of community in navigating menopause at work. Her motto? “We are all works in progress.”
Kayla Preece discusses her journey from sustainable agriculture to naturopathic medicine, leading her to focus on women’s health in the nutraceutical industry. She highlights the diverse ways menopause impacts women in the workforce and the need for supportive workplaces and educated healthcare providers. Kayla notes that while there are few government programs specifically for menopausal women in the U.S., women can benefit from private healthcare resources and finding practitioners who specialize in menopause care.
Personal Motto: "We are all works in progress (applicable to health, knowledge, etc)."
What She Enjoys About Being a Woman in Nutraceuticals: "There is a great diversity of women with different professional experiences in our industry, which is great to be connected to."
Recommendation to WIN Members: "Connect with your community."
Dr. Leena Pradhan Nabzdyk
Dr. Leena Pradhan Nabzdyk, founder of Canomiks, shares her journey from pharmacology to entrepreneurship, inspired by her background in Ayurveda and herbal medicine. As a female leader navigating menopause, she emphasizes the importance of organization, prioritizing health, and openly discussing menopause with her family and team to normalize it in the workplace. Leena encourages companies to view menopause as a natural life phase, advocating for understanding and support to allow women to bring their full selves to work.
Personal Motto: "Empathy and honesty go a long way."
What She Enjoys About Being a Woman in Nutraceuticals: "Getting to meet so many other smart, fun women and men. I am a social person, and meeting different people is what drives me. As a scientist and academic, I have learned a lot from people in this industry."
Recommendation to WIN Members: "We are part of this industry that is constantly evolving, from workforce to technology to regulations. Let’s stay at the top of this constant change and bring the best solutions to our employees and our customers."Dr. Leena Pradhan Nabzdyk – Co-founder of Canomiks, combines scientific expertise with empathy, advising open communication and balance in managing menopause and professional growth. She believes “Empathy and honesty go a long way.”
Dr. Hanna Taipaleenmäki
Dr. Hanna Taipaleenmäki, a scientist in academia, shares her journey and commitment to women's health, particularly in bone health and cancer. She emphasizes the critical need for raising awareness about osteoporosis, a silent yet prevalent condition affecting women, and advocates for proactive care through exercise, nutrition, and supplementation. Hanna highlights the importance of preparing for menopause holistically, discussing it openly in workplaces, and supporting women in managing menopausal symptoms to retain their valuable contributions in the workforce.
Personal Motto: "Turn your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows (i.e., try to focus on positive rather than negative things in situations and life in general)."
What She Enjoys About Being a Woman in Nutraceuticals: "Overall, in my work I enjoy positive challenges and inspiring people. And being a woman in nutraceuticals provides both."
Recommendation to WIN Members: "Educate yourself to understand your symptoms, communicate openly, seek support from your colleagues, seek professional guidance, arrange your work environment when possible (flexible working hours, take short breaks…), practice stress management, prioritize physical health (exercise and diet), set realistic goals and prioritize (don’t hesitate to say NO), focus on your strengths and on what you can control, and stay positive."– Scientist. MD, focusing on bone health, raises awareness on osteoporosis and proactive care, inspiring with her motto: “Turn your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.”
Dr. Joelle Zingraff
Dr. Joelle Zingraff discusses her founding of The Women Circle, a company focused on educating, raising awareness, and providing support around menopause. She identified a gap in addressing menopause openly, aiming to break taboos and foster a gender-equal environment by involving both men and women in the conversation. Joelle shares insights on the significant career challenges women face during menopause, with 10-15% leaving their jobs and 30% considering reduced hours without adequate support. She encourages menopausal women to openly discuss their experiences, use humor to ease conversations, and proactively develop workplace solutions to drive cultural change.
Personal Motto: "Like Cinderella: courage and kindness."
What She Enjoys About Being a Woman in Nutraceuticals: "As an engineer, I love understanding but also manufacturing. In this industry, technology and health come together, and I really enjoy that."
Recommendation to WIN Members: "Take care of your health and seek help when you need it."– Founder of The Women Circle, advocates for breaking taboos around menopause, fostering open dialogue and understanding in the workplace. Her approach? “Like Cinderella: courage and kindness.”
Each leader emphasizes the value of open conversations, supportive communities, and personal resilience in normalizing menopause in professional spaces. They call on companies to create inclusive environments where women can thrive at every stage.
