One in ten women leave their careers because of menopause. Many more stay but struggle in silence, masking their symptoms and running on empty while nobody around them knows why. In this episode, Anna is joined by Angela Wilkins-Green, an ICF-accredited executive and transformation coach and menopause workplace specialist. With over 25 years in senior leadership roles, Angela now works with organisations to embed menopause awareness, manager training and one-to-one coaching support that goes well beyond the policy document.

Angela begins by unpacking the difference between perimenopause and menopause, and the reality may surprise you. The lead-up to menopause can start in a woman's late thirties and last up to fourteen years, and the earliest signs are often psychological rather than physical: anxiety, low confidence, mood changes, and a gradual sense of not feeling like yourself anymore.

Anna shares her own experience navigating a GP system that initially offered little clarity, and Angela explains why women need to advocate for themselves in a healthcare landscape that is still catching up. They discuss the wide range of symptoms that extend far beyond hot flushes, why a standalone menopause policy rarely makes the difference organisations think it will, and what genuinely effective workplace support looks like in practice, including the role of menopause champions and the new Employment Rights Act menopause action plans that came into force in April 2026.

The business case is clear: if organisations are not having this conversation, they are losing experienced women, often without ever knowing why.

This is part one of a three-part conversation with Angela. Part two explores what practical support looks like for individuals and teams.

Find out more about Angela's work at https://www.greenpathcoaching.com

Connect with Anna

Got a question or a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Anna would love to hear from you. Find Anna on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit The People Expert to find out more about her work supporting line managers and HR professionals.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annathomas-hr
Instagram: instagram.com/practicalmanager
TikTok: tiktok.com/@practicalpeoplemanager
The People Expert: athrconsultancy.co.uk