Menopause can significantly affect women’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, yet many continue to face barriers to timely, effective, and equitable care. According to the Menopause Foundation of Canada, menopause-related symptoms cost the Canadian economy an estimated $3.5 billion and contribute to 540,000 lost workdays each year.
As women aged 40 and older now represent one-quarter of Canada's population and workforce, addressing these challenges has become an economic, healthcare, and workplace imperative. On November 16, please join The Globe and Mail for a half-day event for policymakers, employers and healthcare leaders to explore policies, workplace strategies and partnerships for better menopause care in Canada.
Menopause is far more than a single moment in time or a handful of symptoms. Beginning in perimenopause and extending beyond a woman’s final menstrual period, the transition can bring a range of physical, cognitive and emotional changes. This session will cover the perimenopause and menopause journey, exploring common and lesser-known changes and their potential impacts on health and wellbeing.
Menopause is not a universal experience. Factors such as race, socioeconomic status, culture, and access to care can significantly shape how women experience and navigate this life stage. This conversation will cover practical strategies to create more equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive support for all women.
Employers are often leading the charge toward menopause awareness and supports through new policies, benefits and programs. With women representing a significant and experienced segment of the workforce, many organizations now view menopause support as both a well-being and talent priority. This discussion will explore strategies employers are using to build more inclusive and supportive workplaces.
Menopause is often viewed through the lens of decline, yet it represents a significant life stage experienced by women at the height of their professional, personal and community contributions. This forward-looking discussion will explore how Canada can challenge outdated perceptions and ageism, and foster a more informed, supportive and inclusive public dialogue.
The Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) is a national non-profit advocacy organization to championing the systemic changes women need from the healthcare system, government, business, and the broader community to thrive during their menopausal years. With a mission to eliminate the social stigma and taboos associated with menopause, MFC is dedicated to closing the menopause knowledge gap, improving access to menopause care and treatment and creating menopause inclusive workplaces. Resources for those experiencing menopause, as well as those who support them, can be found at MenopauseFoundationCanada.ca.
Sun Life is a leading financial services organization across the world that provides individuals and institutions with solutions in the areas of asset and wealth management, insurance and health. It operates in various markets around the world, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As at June 30, 2025, Sun Life's total assets under management were to $1.54 T. For more information, please visit sunlife.com.
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Caroline Alphonso is Health Editor at The Globe and Mail, overseeing coverage of health, medicine and public policy. A former education reporter at the Globe, she has covered social issues, public institutions and the policies that shape the lives of families. She brings a thoughtful, reader-focused approach to health journalism, helping audiences navigate complex issues with clarity and context.
Dr. Wolfman is one of Canada’s foremost menopause experts and the inaugural Director of the Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health at Sinai Health, which includes the Menopause Clinic and the Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto, board member, co-chair and treasurer of the Education Committee of the International Menopause Society, Past President of the Canadian Menopause Society (CMS), and the inaugural recipient of the Carol Mitchell Chair in Menopause.
She has won many awards for her trailblazing contributions to menopause education and care, including from the North American Menopause Society, the Canadian Menopause Society, the University of Toronto, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She has contributed extensively to gynaecologic knowledge via her previous position as co-chair of the National Guideline Committee for Gynaecology for the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada, her participation in the guidelines specifically for menopause and osteoporosis for the International Menopause Society, The Menopause Society and as co-chief author of the Canadian Guidelines
Kearie Daniel is the Founder and Executive Director of the Black Women’s Institute for Health, a national organization advancing equitable health outcomes for Black women and girls through community-led research, advocacy and culturally responsive programming.
A nationally recognized nonprofit leader and systems-change advocate, Kearie has decades years of experience spanning healthcare, education, child welfare and community development. She created Voices Unheard, Canada’s first national health survey focused on the health and lived experiences of Black women and girls. The initiative is addressing critical data gaps and building an evidence base for lasting policy and systems change.
Previously, Kearie co-founded Parents of Black Children and served as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer, transforming the organization into a leading voice for Black families confronting anti-Black racism in education and child welfare. Her writing and commentary on race, health equity, motherhood and systemic change have appeared in CBC, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent and other national media.
Kearie brings an intersectional lens to conversations about menopause and women’s health, examining how race, income, culture and systemic anti-Black racism shape access to care and health outcomes.
As Vice-President, Business Development, Sophie Ouellet is responsible for our sales and service team across Canada. Sophie also works with our Clients and their advisors to ensure our strategic direction is aligned with the needs of the Canadian marketplace and we are delivering service that is unrivalled for its innovation, quality and value.
Since joining Sun Life in 2011, Sophie has held a number of key roles within the Group Benefits Business Development team, including Regional Vice President (RVP) for the Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region and leader of the National Accounts Strategic Plan. Prior to joining Sun Life Sophie held
various positions in Health and Benefits at Aon Hewitt.Sophie holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from Laval University and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries
Janet Ko is the President and Co-Founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC), a national nonprofit leading menopause advocacy, awareness, and education across the country. She is working to close the menopause knowledge gap, improve access to care and treatment, and create menopause inclusive workplaces.
Janet is helping redefine how we think about menopause — shifting the narrative from stigma and silence to health, strength, and opportunity. Like many women, she was unprepared for menopause and knows firsthand how unmanaged symptoms can affect health, work and quality of life. That experience drove her to co-found MFC and lead the launch of landmark research and public education initiatives, including the award-winning Menopause Works Here™ campaign, as well as a growing body of evidence-based resources for women.
An award-winning leader in strategic communications, Janet has held senior executive roles across diverse health-related sectors. Janet was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in 2023.
Kristy Kirkup is a seasoned national journalist for The Globe and Mail. She is based in Ottawa.
Kristy specializes in federal health policy, including reproductive health issues affecting women and gender-diverse people, drug regulation and medical assistance in dying. Her reporting also brings national attention to systemic health inequities.
With more than 15 years of reporting experience, Kristy has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in Canadian journalism. She began her career with CTV News in Ottawa and went on to report at Sun Media, CBC News and The Canadian Press. She joined The Globe and Mail in the fall of 2019 and brings both political and policy knowhow to her work, along with a strong commitment to public service journalism.
Kristy has reported from Parliament Hill for much of her career and has chronicled major national developments and been part of coverage for five federal election campaigns (2011, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2025). She has travelled across Canada and internationally, covering both Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau on official visits abroad.
Although she has extensive experience with breaking news and daily political coverage, Kristy is drawn to in-depth journalism.
In 2017, she received the Canadian Journalism Foundation Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism, alongside colleagues at The Canadian Press, for a groundbreaking series on sexual trauma in Indigenous communities.
In 2021, she was part of a team at The Globe and Mail awarded the prestigious Michener Award for a series that exposed the Catholic Church’s efforts to sidestep accountability for its role in the residential school system.
She also received the King’s Coronation Medal in 2025, an honour awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country. In her case, the medal was given in recognition of her reporting on Indigenous affairs.
Kristy is passionate about using the power of journalism to shine a light in dark places and to lift up the voices of the silenced and forgotten. She also believes strongly in mentoring younger journalists.
Sarika Gundu is a transformation leader who believes that business performance and human performance are deeply connected.
Throughout her career, she has helped organizations navigate complex change by modernizing operating models, leveraging digital capabilities, and creating strategies that improve both employee experience and organizational effectiveness. Known for connecting bold vision with disciplined execution, Sarika has built a reputation for turning complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions.
As Head of Canadian Benefits & Enterprise Recognition at BMO, she leads strategic initiatives that influence how more than 40,000 employees experience health, recognition, and workplace support. Her work spans enterprise transformation, operational excellence, digital innovation, and culture, with a focus on driving measurable business impact while creating a more engaging employee experience.
A passionate advocate for innovation, Sarika has led large-scale modernization efforts across financial services, consulting, healthcare, and the not-for-profit sector. She is the architect of BMO's first enterprise Women's Health Strategy and has championed initiatives that leverage data, technology, and human-centered design to improve outcomes for employees and organizations alike.
Beyond her leadership role, Sarika contributes her expertise through board and advisory positions focused on advancing mental health, prevention, and system transformation across Canada. She is driven by a simple belief: when organizations invest in people, innovation and performance follow.
Aimee founded Menovate with a bold vision: to revolutionize how workplaces support employees through menopause. She has testified before the House of Commons on menopause and workplace policy, and was recently featured in The Globe and Mail for her work on the menopause gap in the Canadian workforce.
After navigating her own challenges during menopause, while excelling in a demanding corporate career, Aimee saw a glaring gap in workplace awareness, resources, and open dialogue. She recognized how this silence was costing companies top talent and leaving women to face unnecessary struggles alone.
With over 25 years of leadership experience, Aimee has built a reputation for driving change and empowering people. She's excelled in diverse roles across Product Management, Operations, Business Transformation, and Strategy. Her expertise in employee training, coaching, and inclusion has made her a trusted advocate for fostering equitable and high-performing teams.
At Menovate, Aimee is on a mission to challenge outdated norms and create workplaces where employees feel valued. By educating leaders, shaping policies, and sparking important conversations, Menovate empowers companies to build cultures that support retention and help women live better lives while saving costs.
The Honourable Michelle Thompson was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Antigonish in 2021 and was appointed Minister of Health and Wellness. She is the Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment and Healthcare Redevelopment. A registered nurse by profession, Minister Thompson brings more than three decades of experience across healthcare leadership, education, long-term care, community health, and frontline clinical practice. Before being elected, she served as CEO of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home, taught nursing at St. Francis Xavier University, and worked as a therapist with a community-based non-profit organization. Her deep understanding of healthcare delivery and commitment to innovation continue to support efforts to improve care and build a more responsive, connected health system in Nova Scotia.
Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe is a family physician with a focused clinical and advocacy interest in women’s health and menopause care. She earned her medical degree at the University of Alberta and completed her Family Medicine residency at the University of Toronto with additional training in low-risk obstetrics. She is the Medical Director of Primary Care Outreach at Women’s College Hospital and practices as a family physician with the Academic Family Health Team at St. Michael’s Hospital. Her work focuses on improving access to comprehensive primary and menopause care, particularly for equity-deserving communities, and on addressing systemic barriers that affect how patients experience and navigate the healthcare system.
Dr. Wijayasinghe is a trusted medical expert on CTV’s The Social, a national health columnist for The Globe and Mail, and co-host of The Doc Talk Podcast.