50 Trailblazing Leaders in Menopause

List compiled by Marija Butkovic (founder and CEO) and Anja Streicher (CMO)

For the second year in a row, we are shining a spotlight on 50 trailblazing leaders who are revolutionizing the menopause space. These individuals are founders, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and innovators who are challenging outdated norms, creating groundbreaking products and services, and empowering women to take control of their health and wellbeing during midlife and beyond.

Menopause is a critical societal issue because it affects over half the population, marking a significant life transition for women typically in their late 40s to mid-50s. Over the past few years, increasing awareness and destigmatization have empowered women to seek support, fostering open conversations about their health needs. This cultural shift is evidenced by grassroots movements and public campaigns that encourage proactive management of menopausal symptoms, enhancing women's quality of life and societal participation. 

For instance, a 2024 AARP survey revealed that 90% of women aged 35 and older experience menopause symptoms, averaging five distinct symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings, which can last a decade or more. Addressing these needs through education and workplace support, such as menopause-specific benefits, is vital for gender equity and social inclusion, as highlighted by the World Economic Forum’s 2024 report noting menopause as a high-unmet-need condition with significant societal implications.

From a healthcare angle, menopause is a pivotal industry because it addresses a range of symptoms and associated conditions that burden healthcare systems and affect long-term health outcomes. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) affect up to 80% of menopausal women, while conditions like osteoporosis (30% prevalence) and cardiovascular diseases increase post-menopause. A 2023 StatPearls study noted that 1.3 million U.S. women enter menopause annually, with 5% experiencing early menopause, contributing to a global healthcare expenditure of USD 660 million for vasomotor symptoms alone. Despite this, healthcare gaps persist: a 2019 study found only 7% of primary care providers felt prepared to manage menopause, and 75% of women seeking care go untreated. Innovations like non-hormonal therapies and telehealth are expanding access, but the lack of standardized care and training, as noted in a 2021 AARP survey, underscores the urgent need for improved medical education and research to alleviate healthcare burdens and enhance women’s health.

The menopause industry is economically significant due to its substantial market size and impact on workforce productivity. The global menopause market was valued at USD 17.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.42% through 2030, driven by rising demand for treatments like hormone therapy, dietary supplements, and digital health solutions. Menopause-related symptoms lead to considerable economic costs, estimating global worker productivity losses at USD 150 billion annually and healthcare costs exceeding USD 600 billion. In the U.S., a Mayo Clinic study from 2023 pegged annual economic losses at USD 26 billion, including USD 1.8 billion from lost workdays and USD 24.8 billion in medical expenditures. These figures underscore the need for investment in menopause care, as workplace absenteeism and reduced productivity, particularly among women aged 45–64, strain economies. 

Having in mind everything that was mentioned beforehand, our goal with this list is twofold: to recognize and celebrate the pioneers - founders, advocates, doctors, clinicians, and researchers, who are pushing boundaries in perimenopause and menopause care and to raise awareness about the urgent need for more attention, resources, and innovation in this sector. By showcasing their work, we hope to inspire further investment, spark conversations, and accelerate progress in this area of healthcare. Menopause is not a niche topic; it’s a global health imperative. It’s time we treated it like one.

Disclaimers:

*This year’s list features innovators, founders, scientists, researchers, advocates, doctors and clinicians who made their mark in perimenopause and menopause space. For the wider list of 200 trailblazing leaders in women’s health space, check out our 2025 list here. 

**The list has been arranged alphabetically and not in rank. We made sure to include LinkedIn profile links for everyone on this list so that readers can get full insight into their titles and credentials. 

***There are many more leaders who should be on this list and we’d like to encourage everyone to continue adding to it by posting in the comments. Also, if you think we have missed someone or wish to suggest a correction, please drop us at hello@womenofwearables.com.



THE FULL LIST

  1. Alicia Clausel, Senior Research Scientist at ŌURA

  2. Alicia Jackson, founder and CEO of Evernow

  3. Alisa Volkman, founder and CEO of The Swell

  4. Ally Tam Tumasova, co-founder and CEO of Respin Health

  5. Alyssa Dweck, Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide Health 

  6. Ann O’Neill, founder of Adora Digital Health

  7. Anna Klepchukova, Chief Medical Officer at Flo Health

  8. Amy Beckley, founder of Proov

  9. Amy Keenan, Chief Marketing Officer at Hello Inside

  10. Becky Cotton, founder and CEO of Lumino

  11. Cecilia Caetano, Vice President - Head Global Medical Affairs Women’s Health at Bayer

  12. Christine Deschemin, founder of EverCalm Menopause & UpNow Health

  13. Christine Maginnis, co-founder and Chief Program Officer at Let's Talk Menopause

  14. Colette Courtion, founder and CEO of Joylux

  15. Corinne Menn, OBGYN and Menopause Society Certified Practioner

  16. Daisy Robinton, co-founder and CEO of Oviva Therapeutics

  17. Davina McCall, TV presenter, author and advocate for menopause awareness

  18. Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace and founder of Henpicked.net

  19. Denise Pines, co-founder and CEO of FemAging and co-maker of The M Factor, the first-ever documentary focused on menopause

  20. EJ Kim and Marina Pen, co-founders of NNABI

  21. Elizabeth Gazda, CEO at Embr Labs

  22. Jessica Shepherd, OB/GYN, Menopause Expert, Chief Medical Officer at Hers, Founder of Modern Menopause, Author of Generation M

  23. Jo McEwan, co-founder of Menopause Movement and PositivePause

  24. Joanna Balogh-Reynolds, VP of Product Strategy at Progyny

  25. Joanna Strober, co-founder and CEO of Midi Health

  26. Joyce Harper, Professor in Reproductive Science at UCL

  27. Kate Brashares, founder and CEO at Hello Therapeutics

  28. Karla Martins, Executive Medical Director - Medical Affairs Global Strategic Brand Lead at Astellas

  29. Lauren Weiniger, founder and CEO of The Metapause

  30. Lisa Mosconi, Program Director at Wellcome Leap, Director of Women’s Brain Initiative & Alzheimer's Prevention Program at Weill Cornell Medicine / NY-Presbyterian

  31. Lisa Tarquini, founder of The Menopause Space

  32. Louise Newson, founder, Director and Menopause Specialist at Newson Health

  33. Mariella Frostrup, journalist and broadcaster who has championed gender equity in menopause care and supported the UK Parliament’s Menopause Workplace Pledge

  34. Mary Claire Haver, founder of The Pause Life, The Galveston Diet and Mary Claire Wellness

  35. Maryon Stewart, founder of Femmar 

  36. Maxime Kryvian, co-founder and CEO of mycelsius

  37. Mia Chorney, co-founder and CMO The Pause Technologies Inc

  38. Michelle Jacobs and Sally Mueller, co-founders of Womaness

  39. Mireia Roca, co-founder and co-CEO of DOMMA

  40. Monica Molenaar, co-founder and co-CEO of Alloy Women's Health

  41. Naomi Potter, founder of Menopause Care 

  42. Nighat Arif, GP specialising in women's health, medical broadcaster on BBC & ITV, a health content creator with YouTube Health and the WHO Fides network

  43. Sanjana Rao, co-founder of Miyara Health

  44. Sara (Gottfried) Szal. physician/scientist, bioengineer, educator, researcher, consultant, and keynote speaker

  45. Sara Moger, Chief Executive at British Menopause Society

  46. Sharon Keaney, Chief Operating Officer at Willbe and perimenopause expert

  47. Stasa Stankovic, co-founder of OvartiX

  48. Tamsen Fadal, Menopause Advocate, Filmmaker, Author and Podcast Host

  49. Veroniek Vermeulen, founder of Silatha

  50. Z. Colette Edwards, founder and Chief Medical Officer at Pausitive Health

This list has been powered by Covington & Burling LLP. Covington & Burling LLP is proud to support the transformative work shaping the future of women’s health. From fundraising and investment to navigating complex regulatory pathways to forming strategic partnerships, Covington provides expert, pragmatic, legal guidance to help founders, investors, and companies at all stages achieve their goals. Their global, cross-disciplinary team regularly advises clients across industry sectors on matters arising across the lifecycle of women’s health and femtech solutions, including AI, commercial contracts, digital health, drug and medical device development, healthcare services, intellectual property, M&A, privacy and data security, and venture capital.

Bonafide® Health was launched with a simple mission: to provide women with safe and highly effective symptom relief throughout their menopause journey. As part of Bonafide's scientific research and product development process, the brand prides itself on its deep understanding of the biological and physiological changes that affect women due to hormonal fluctuations experienced with age. Trusted by more than 11k healthcare professionals, Bonafide provides first-of-its-kind, evidence-based solutions developed from naturally derived ingredients that are hormone-free and drug-free. To learn more, visit www.hellobonafide.com   

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Marija ButkovicComment