Thursday, 23 March 2023, The Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin 2
We are proud to announce the launch of the inaugural National Menopause Summit supported by M&S taking place in The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dublin 2 on Thursday, March 23, 2023
Featuring the phenomenal Davina McCall, whose advocacy around perimenopause and menopause is unsurpassed and moderated by renowned journalist and broadcaster Gráinne Seoige and featuring a speaker panel of leading clinicians, facilitators and professionals in the area – The National Menopause Summit supported by M&S full day event will shift the narrative by debunking myths and taboos, providing inclusive fact based information, advocating for support across both the personal and professional arenas and provide a platform of understanding and respect to ensure no one suffers needlessly at this oftentimes highly challenging and transitional stage of life.
This Masterclass in Menopause will deliver the ‘no filter reality’ of the serious challenges perimenopause and menopause presents while affording attendees best in class knowledge and information to negotiate these challenges.
Also championing for a ‘new norm’ across the Irish workplace, The National Menopause Summit supported by M&S will advocate and empower the introduction of inclusive, compassionate and sympathetic work policies to ensure all feel supported to forge forward in their careers, thus stemming the flow of women choosing to exit the workforce, or disregard opportunities for advancement, due to the lack of these crucial supports.
One of Ireland’s favourite comedians, the inimitable Deirdre O’Kane will close out the day with a stand-up comedy set musing on all things menopause, midlife and the maelstrom that is modern living
Join us at this landmark event, in the beautiful surroundings of The Round Room at The Mansion House in Dublin’s city centre, for a packed agenda of knowledge, advice, support and content delivered by our powerful, expertly curated panel of speakers, moderated panel discussions, audience q & a and much more.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Broadcaster & Author
Davina is firmly established as one of the UK's most loved TV broadcasters, with hit series that include Long Lost Family, The Masked Singer, The Masked Dancer and the ground breaking documentaries Sex, Myths and the Menopause and Sex, Mind and the Menopause.
Davina has become a passionate advocate for raising awareness about the menopause and as well as fronting two critically acclaimed C4 documentaries and speaking at corporate events, she has also just released her book Menopausing.
Davina has also built a successful fitness empire, encompassing no less than 15 fitness DVD releases with sales of over 1.4 million and an online site ownyourgoalsdavina.com.
In 2007 Davina was signed up by Garnier, where she remains one of their key brand ambassadors, and she has also more recently become an ambassador for retailer JDWilliams.
Journalist, Broadcaster & Presenter
Gráinne Seoige is an award winning broadcaster, journalist and highly experienced television presenter. The only Irish TV personality to have worked across all four of Ireland's television stations - TG4, TV3, RTÉ 1 and RTÉ 2 as well as launch anchor for Sky News Ireland - Gráinne produced and presented the highly acclaimed documentary programme Meanapás: Meon Nua which aired on TG4 November 2, 2022.
As part of her documentary Gráinne explored the topic of menopause and how it has been handled, both historically and currently, in Ireland.
Exploring the various challenges associated with perimenopause and menopause Gráinne met with women across the country to discuss their personal experiences and struggles around the issue. Armed with what she had learned Gráinne met with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to discuss the lack of information and support, advocating for a National Menopause Policy to be launched.
Meanapás: Meon Nua was received to critical acclaim and proved to be a ground breaking vehicle to debunk menopause for Irish women and bring the issue out of the shadows into the public arena.
Lead Medical Officer Complex Menopause Service NMH Holles Street
Deirdre has been working in general practice for over 30 years but she is not a ‘GP’, always concentrating on sexual and reproductive health. She began her career working with many family planning clinics around Dublin and was based at Bray Women's Health Centre for more than 20 years. She is a British Menopause Society accredited Menopause Expert and Trainer.
She left Bray to take up a new post as Lead Medical Officer for the new Complex Menopause Service at the National Maternity Hospital Holles Street where she works with her wonderful colleagues to improve outcomes for people with menopause problems throughout Ireland.
With this in mind she accepted an offer from Penguin publishers to write a book on menopause - the focus of which is to give the reader science based, quality information on menopause to empower them on their journey.
Deirdre helped establish, and currently works in, the Intrauterine and Contraceptive Services at The Rotunda, Coombe and National Maternity Hospitals and provides a host of online talks and webinars for medical colleagues for GPBuddy, Practice Nurse Buddy, PharmaBuddy and the groundbreaking 1000 strong ‘HRT Prescribers’ advice app on Telegram.
She is leading the development of the new Guideline on Menopause for Secondary Care in Ireland and collaborating with ARC Cancer Support to provide free, evidence based information on menopause for people who have had a cancer diagnosis.
Founder & CEO The Menopause Hub
Loretta Dignam is an award-winning Marketer of the Year, who opened the doors to The Menopause Hub, Ireland's first and only dedicated multidisciplinary menopause clinic, in December 2018. Loretta is founder and CEO.
The Menopause Hub is Ireland’s first dedicated, multidisciplinary clinic, which includes a team of doctors - GPs and Gynaecologists - a psychologist, dietitian and nutritionist, women’s health physiotherapist and an acupuncturist.
Loretta is an advocate for menopausal women and has developed a programme to support organisations with Menopause in the Workplace Awareness & Education training including policy development. She has had a lengthy and highly successful career as a senior marketing and communications leader working for many multinational, global businesses including; Mars Inc, Diageo plc, Kerry Group plc Ardagh Group and Jacob Fruitfield.
Awarded Marketer of the Year in 2011, Loretta is a graduate of UCD and DCU and has lectured in the UCD Smurfit Business School on their executive MBA and MSc Programmes.
Loretta was on the Board of the Abbey Theatre for 6 years, where she was a ministerial appointment. She also chaired their Gender Equality Committee, driving change in gender equality policy across Irish theatre, chaired the Development Committee, & was a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Clinical Lead Rotunda Hospital Menopause Clinic, Founder & CEO Menopause Health
Since qualifying in medicine from UCD in 2007, Dr Hartley has developed her skills and expertise in the area of Women's Health and Menopause care.
Accredited by both the North American and British Menopause Society Dr Hartley was recently honoured to become a British Menopause Society trainer.
A member of the Advisory Board of both the European Menopause and Andropause Society and The Newson Health Menopause Socieity, she was awarded membership of the Irish College of General Practice in 2013 obtaining diplomate status with the Royal College of Obstretics & Gynecologists in 2012 and achieving a certificate in Women’s Health from the Irish College of General Practice.
Head of Employer Relations Adare HRM
Katie Ridge, BA, LLM, Chartered MCIPD, Barrister at Law, has practical HR experience combined with substantial employment law knowledge and workplace investigation know how.
Katie has a broad range of employment law experience specialising in workplace investigations, grievance and disciplinary matters, and as well as representing Organisations in the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court. She has a keen interest in and is an advocate for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Irish society.
Prior to joining Adare Human Resource Management, Katie has supported a diverse range of private, not-for-profit and public sector Organisations in her capacity as a barrister and HR professional.
GP & Clinical Lecturer in General Practice Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RGSI)
Dr Sumi Dunne BSc (Hons), BM, MICGP, FFSEM graduated from the University of Southampton UK. She undertook Neonatal Intensive Care and Emergency Department Paediatrics training before undertaking Specialist General Practice (GP) at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RGSI). Since then she has maintained both an academic and clinical career in General Practice, working as a Clinical Lecturer in the Department of General Practice RCSI and as a GP in Portarlington, Co Laois.
Within rural General Practice Sumi has developed a particular interest in Women's Health. She believes strongly in the need for clinician leadership, and completed a Masters in Leadership at RCSI together with being a member of the RCSI Human Research and Ethics Committee. In 2021 Sumi was appointed to the Oireachtas Specialist Sub Committee on Mental Health. Sumi is also a GP committee member of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
Sumi regularly contributes to GP articles in various media outlets, and is the GP expert on RTE’s Operation Transformation since 2019.
Head of Group Employee Relations, Bank of Ireland
Joanne Healy is a qualified barrister, accredited mediator and co author of HR and Employment: Policies and Procedures (CAI 2019).
Joanne is currently the Head of Group Employee Relations at Bank of Ireland where she has recently introduced a policy and training programme providing supports and awareness for menopause at work. Joanne is passionate about reducing stigmas and promoting inclusivity and respect in the workplace as seen in the initiatives she has launched at Bank of Ireland including domestic abuse supports as well as fertility, surrogacy, and early pregnancy loss supports.
Founder and Dietitian at the Dublin Nutrition Centre
Born in Dublin, Aveen graduated from Trinity College with a BSc. (Hons) (Human Nutrition and Dietetics) and completed a business diploma in Smurfit Business School. Since qualifying Aveen has gained a wide range of experience in various different medical fields. Having trained in St. James’s hospital, her professional experience began with the NHS in the UK. On returning to Ireland, Aveen rejoined her training ground hospital, St. James, as a Senior Clinical Nutritionist and then set up Dublin Nutrition Centre in 2003. Aveen is also a current member of the I.N.D.I (Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute).
Aveen is currently considered one of the top dietitian's in the country and specialises in Eating Disorders, Gut Health and female health. Aveen has completed FODMAP training, Behavioural Change Level 2 and is a SOS feeding therapist.
Aveen regularly delivers corporate and team talks and presentations. Aveen also provides regular nutrition consultancy for media communications such as print, TV and radio. She also featured on RTEs What Are You Eating, RTEs How long will you live and was a judge on RTEs Healthy Appetite.
GP, Educator and Broadcaster
Dr Máire Finn graduated from NUIG in 1993 and achieved her MICGP in 1998.
She has worked as a principal General Practitioner in Ennis since that time. She has an active role in all levels of medical education and mentorship, taking students and interns from UL and RCSI.
In 2006 she became one of the only female trainers on the Midwest GP training scheme.
She is a proud START doctor since it’s inception.
She recently formalised the menopause care she has always provided by starting a specialty clinic in her surgery. This has allowed her to train and mentor other GPs in menopause care.
When settled into her practice in Ennis she was afforded the opportunity to develop her passions for women’s and family health. She found that a patient’s needs could only be truly met with time, listening and compassion.
Since 2002 she has become the voice of medicine and health advocacy in the mid-west.
RTE offered an opportunity to expand her reach in 2018, a hugely successful move for Máire who is now a regular medical contributor on radio and TV principally Today with Claire Byrne and the Today Show on RTE 1
Máire has published several articles both scholarly and opinion pieces.
She has always been an advocate for better access to healthcare and inclusivity in all aspects of life.
Advocate & Founder, The Irish Menopause
Sallyanne Brady is founder of The Irish Menopause.
The Irish Menopause is an online information resource for women on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Established in 2019, it was the first resource of its kind in Ireland. The Irish Menopause has a current membership of 46k and climbing.
In addition to launching the first petition for Menopause Awareness in Ireland, Sallyanne was instrumental in raising awareness around the issue through the now infamous Joe Duffy Liveline programme on May 21, 2022.
This groundbreaking event shone a light on the whole subject of menopause, raised public awareness and launched the topic from the shadows, where it had previously been shrouded in taboo and secrecy, into the public consciousness.
Director of Health Promotion, Information & Training, Irish Heart Foundation
Janis Morrissey is a member of the Irish Heart Foundation’s senior management team and has worked in different roles in the organisation for over 20 years. In her current role she is privileged to lead teams that strive to understand and meet the needs of the people we serve, developing and delivering national health promotion programmes and CPR training. Janis is also a national media spokesperson and has presented to several Oireachtas Committees.
Janis pioneered the #HerHeartMatters national awareness campaign, shining a much-needed spotlight on how one in four women in Ireland die from heart disease and stroke and that, incredibly, women are six times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than breast cancer.
She believes that we need to talk more about women’s heart health, especially as this risk increases as a woman moves into menopause, and was invited to present to the Department of Health’s Women’s Health Taskforce on this topic.
Janis originally qualified as a dietitian with an Honours B.Sc. from DIT /TCD and a M.Sc. from the University of Ulster. She is past president of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute.
Janis is a board member of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Faculty of Public Health Medicine and was appointed by the Minister for Health to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s Consultative Council. She was recently appointed as an External Examiner at TU Dublin.
President, Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation
Karen McGowan is a registered ANP in Gynaecology at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Karen trained at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and completed her BSc in nursing at DCU. She later undertook a postgraduate diploma in emergency nursing and a master’s degree at the RCSI. She also holds certificates in drug prescribing and ionising radiation, as well as a certificate in advanced assessment from UCD. Karen has also attained a fellowship by examination from the RCSI.
Karen is the President of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and works on progressing agreements achieved by the INMO and to ensure the rights and entitlements of staff as well as advocating for safe patient care.
Researcher with the IADT
Paula Maher, currently Research Assistant with Dun Laoghaire, Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT). Since qualifying as a librarian in 2003, she spent almost twenty years working in libraries and archives most recently in media across digital, television and radio in the RTÉ Archives.
She is passionate about equality, in 2021 Paula began her journey into the area of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), starting the Master of Business in EDI in IADT, for which she has recently submitted her dissertation. In 2022 she took up the position of Research Assistant with IADT with the Faculty of Enterprise and Humanities.
Research Project
Working Women and the Menopause: The Impact of Menopause on Careers in the Higher Education Sector in Ireland. This is a pilot project with IADT as the lead partner working with Atlantic Technological University Sligo (ATU Sligo) and Technological University Dublin (TUD). The objective of the research is to explore the lived experiences of a sample of women working in Irish higher education and the impact of the menopause on careers. Funding for this project has been secured from a Higher Education Authority (HEA) competitive bid under the Gender Equality Enhancement Fund. This fund was set up to advance gender equality initiatives in Irish higher education.
Chartered Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health
Maeve Whelan is a Chartered Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health working in Milltown Physiotherapy. This encompasses Urogynaecology, Sexual Health, Chronic Pelvic Pain and Colorectal Dysfunction. Her academic career in Pelvic Health started 30 years ago with a Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology in TCD and in latter years a Masters of Science in RCSI. This has led to writing papers and book chapters and being privileged to speak at national and international conferences. Milltown Physiotherapy includes a team of Pelvic Health Physiotherapists with a facility providing for the diverse needs of women through menopause and other lifestages.
GP & Founder HRT prescribers in GP telegram group
Dr Brian Kennedy graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2002 achieving his MICGP in 2007. Brian is the proud founder of HRT prescribers in the GP Telegram Group, ably aided and abetted by Dr Deirdre Lundy, Dr Caoimhe Hartley and Dr Rachel Mackey.
Passionate about medical education and mentoring Brian regularly works with medical students, his peer GPs and GP trainees in this regard. He also relishes his teaching roles as CME tutor ICGP Limerick and Clinical and Communication Skills tutor GEMS, UL EMA trainer with ICGP and is a proud START doctor.
Previously Brian tutored in Practical Dermatology at Cardiff University. Achieving post grad diplomas in children's health, psychiatry, therapeutics and dermatology, Brian also worked as a palliative medicine registrar in Ireland and Australia before circling back to general practice.
Brian is the principal GP in Tipperary since 2008 with a GP Practice in Nenagh that remains the centre and focus of his work. Special interests include women’s health, particularly sexual and reproductive healthcare justice education, menopause care, LGBTQI healthcare, dermatology, palliative medicine, end of life care ethics, minor surgery, medical aesthetics, reflective practice, creative writing, mentoring, leadership, GP self-care and burn-out prevention and challenging gendered approaches to health care provision.
Chartered Physiotherapist, Creator and founder PostureFitting Physiotherapy Service
If you had asked Siobhán 10 years ago what she would be doing in 2023, she wouldn’t have predicted being surrounded by all things breasts and bras! But here she indeed is, on a mission to raise awareness of, and demonstrate her solution for, the very underestimated impact of breast weight on women and girls.
A chartered physio with a Master’s degree in the Prevention and Management of Sport Injury, Siobhán has always been a solution-seeker. With over 30 years of clinical experience working with patients to prevent, treat, rehab and deter problems, she developed PostureFitting, a physiotherapy service which connects breast weight and support with posture. The resultant effects on her patients in feeling, moving, looking better were too good to keep a secret, and she now also trains other therapists to offer the PostureFitting service. Their mutual goal is to educate, empower & enlighten, in all ways, so that more gals win their daily battle against gravity, while busting breast & bra booby traps!
Founder & CEO, MCCP The Independent Strategy Agency
Kay is the founder and CEO of MCCP, The Independent Strategy Agency.
She is a recognised leader in brand and innovation strategy, having worked with many of Ireland’s best known local and international brands to enable them to grow through being relevant for their consumers; including The Wild Atlantic Way for the Tourism bodies, Heineken Ireland, An Post, AIB, Smurfit Kappa, Aer Lingus, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and the Department of Health.
Kay and her team have led the research and strategy for number of female health initiatives including Breastcheck, the Women’s Health Task Force report in 2021 and the research to inform the Menopause campaign in 2022 developed by the Department of Health.
Kay is an international speaker and thought leader having spoken at Cannes International Advertising Festival in Cannes and Eurobest in Helsinki.
Founder and creator of Prime Fit by Sarah
It was Sarah’s own journey through perimenopause that inspired her to become a qualified specialist in the field of movement, strength, nutrition, and health for the midlife woman.
Sarah as a personal trainer, and a woman experiencing perimenopause, knew professionally and personally that women in our demographic were underserved and underrepresented and there was so much more that could be done to better her health and the health of all women on this same journey.
Through comprehensive training and education, Sarah is one of a very few personal trainers in Ireland certified in coaching women through the Peri to Post Menopause transition from an evidence-based standpoint. By keeping her finger on the pulse of all the latest evidence based research Prime Fit by Sarah has empowered hundreds of women of all ages to further enhance their health through prescribed movement, strength training, nutrition, pelvic health, mobility, injury prevention and much more – all of which is specifically designed around the midlife changes in our bodies and the impact of hormones on our physical health and mental wellbeing at this stage of our life. A wonderful side effect of this work for many is better mental health, confidence, clarity, and a restored belief that there is not only life but vitality in the 3rd age of our lives.
Sarah’s knowledge and expertise in this specialist field has resulted in numerous appearances on radio, contribution to editorial features and speaking at female centric health events alongside other experts in and advocates for women’s health. Sarah is a champion for women in their midlife, their health, their wellbeing, and their empowerment to navigate their own journey in the healthiest way possible.
Business Development Strategist, Great Place to Work
Fania Stoney is the Business Development Strategist with Great Place to Work. She is an experienced B2B strategist, leader and founder.
She works closely with organisations from a range of industries, maintaining collaborative relationships across multiple stakeholders to create Great Workplaces and high performing environments for employees. This involves analysis of data and the lived employee experience, benchmarking, and identifying current strengths and opportunities. Her passion is creating high performing work cultures where people thrive, and organisations sustainably deliver.
She is talent obsessed, a culture branding strategist, and an advocate for female leadership. She has a specific expertise in organisational culture, practices and change. She has spearheaded Ireland’s Best Workplace for Women for the past five years. This premium recognition awards organisations who, while creating a Great Place to Work For All, are focused on delivering for their female employees so they can build long lasting, fulfilling careers.
The inimitable Deirdre O’Kane will comically close out the day with a 30 minute set musing on all things menopause, midlife and the maelstrom that is modern living.
| 8.20 - 9.00am | Registration & coffee | |
| 9.00 - 9.10am | Welcome address | Sinéad McNamara, Founder National Menopause Summit |
| 9.10 - 9.20am | Introduction & welcome to Session One | Gráinne Seoige, MC National Menopause Summit |
SESSION ONE - MENOPAUSE & THE WORKPLACE |
||
| 9.20 - 9.40am | Let’s begin: Perimenopause, menopause & postmenopause defined | Dr Sumi Dunne, GP & Clinical Lecturer in General Practice RCSI |
| 9.40 - 10.00am | Menopause: Gender, equality, safety & wellness at work | Katie Ridge BL, Head of Employer Relations Adare HRM |
| 10.00 - 10.20am | Why menopause in the workplace matters | Loretta Dignam, CEO & Founder The Menopause Hub |
| 10.20 - 10.50am | PANEL: Menopause & the workplace - research findings | Karen McGowan, President INMO Kay McCarthy, Founder & CEO MCCP Paula Maher, Researcher IADT Fania Stoney, Business Development Strategist, Great Place to Work |
| 10.50 - 11.10am | Networking coffee break | |
| 11.10 - 11.30am | Bank of Ireland: Implementation case study | Joanne Healy, Head of Group Employee Relations BOI |
| 11.30 - 11.50am | Menopause & mental health: Managing brain fog, anxiety & stress | Dr Máire Finn, GP, Educator, Broadcaster |
| 11.50 - 12.30pm | MODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION FOLLOWED BY AUDIENCE Q&A | |
| 12.30 - 1.20pm | Networking Lunch | |
SESSION TWO - THE JOURNEY THROUGH MENOPAUSE |
||
| 1.20 - 1.30pm | Welcome to Session Two | Gráinne Seoige, MC National Menopause Summit |
| 1.30 - 2.20pm | Davina McCall in conversation with Gráinne Seoige followed by short audience q&a | |
| 2.20 - 2.40pm | Menopause health: Symptoms & solutions | Dr Caoimhe Hartley, Clinical Lead Rotunda Menopause Clinic |
| 2.40 - 3.00pm | Complex menopause: Navigating the journey | Dr Deirdre Lundy, Clinical Lead NMH Complex Menopause Clinic |
| 3.00 - 3.20pm | Menopause & nutrition | Aveen Bannon, Founder & Dietitian at the Dublin Nutrition Centre |
| 3.20 - 3.40pm | Networking coffee break | |
| 3.40 - 4.10pm | PANEL DISCUSSION: Menopause health & wellness | Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion Information & Training Irish Heart Foundation Maeve Whelan, Chartered Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health Siobhan O'Donovan, Chartered Physio Creator PostureFitting Physiotherapy Service Dr Brian Kennedy, GP & Founder of HRT Prescribers Sarah Alcock, Founder PrimeFit by Sarah |
| 4.10 - 4.30pm | The Irish Menopause: Out of the shadow | Sallyanne Brady, Founder The Irish Menopause |
| 4.30 - 5.10pm | MODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION FOLLOWED BY AUDIENCE Q&A | |
| 5.10 - 5.40pm | Musings on menopause, midlife & the maelstrom of modern living | Deirdre O’Kane |
| 5.40 | Summit ends - closing remarks | Sinéad McNamara, Founder National Menopause Summit Gráinne Seoige, MC National Menopause Summit |
How you transform your business as technology, consumer, habits industry dynamics change? Find out from those leading the charge. How you transform
How you transform your business as technology, consumer, habits industry dynamics change? Find out from those leading the charge. How you transform
How you transform your business as technology, consumer, habits industry dynamics change? Find out from those leading the charge. How you transform
How you transform your business as technology, consumer, habits industry dynamics change? Find out from those leading the charge. How you transform
If you would like further details on attending or partnering with the National Menopause Summit please contact
Sinéad McNamara | 087 77 33 199 | sinead@bestinfest.ie
For media enquiries please contact
Shell Holden | 086 15 22 200 | shell@bestinfest.ie
Date: Thursday, 23 March 2023
Timing: 9.00am - 5.50pm
Venue: The Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin 2
We are delighted to announce that The National Menopause Summit will return on 11 & 12 April 2024 as a two day event.
On sale date to be announced soon.
To register your interest in next year's Summit please input your details here.
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