Take on Board online event
Perimenopause and menopause: Supporting women board directors to thrive in the boardroom
Take on Board is the podcast where we talk all things boards and governance.
In this interactive and engaging session, our guest speaker, Sarah Gray will answer questions that have arisen from the Take on Board podcast that will go to air in July.
Sarah Gray is one of Australia’s only dual qualified health professionals in the fields of pharmacy and nutrition. Sarah is also a certified MyMT®Menopause Lifestyle Practitioner and author of It’s Not You, It’s Perimenopause. Sarah sits on The Moyne Health Services Board and is a member of the Healthylife Advisory Board.
Her holistic approach helps clients thrive in all areas of life, with a special focus on perimenopause.
Sarah has developed a proven framework for implementing science-based solutions to improve health. Her philosophy is based on the multifactorial nature of health: the foods you eat, the medicines or supplements you take, and how you move and care for your body and mind.
Sarah is a thought leader and trusted expert in Australia with an avid social media following (@the_nutrition_pharmacist). She has appeared on Channel 10’s My Market Kitchen for the past 4 seasons and has been featured as a media spokesperson on radio, in print for many health topics, and in online media and podcasts.
Through her work, Sarah has educated small and large organisations across Australia, focusing on supporting team health, specifically regarding perimenopause, menopause, and IVF.
Sarah is also an alumnus of the KickStarter program, having completed it in 2022.
What you will learn:
- How perimenopause and menopause directly impact confidence, cognition, and leadership capacity in the boardroom
- Why top-tier female talent quietly steps back from senior roles and governance opportunities during midlife—and how to prevent it
- Science-based, practical strategies combining nutrition, lifestyle, and pharmacy to manage exhaustion, sleep disruption, anxiety, and brain fog
- What organisations and boards must understand about supporting midlife women to foster true diversity and retain invaluable expertise
Why attend?
- If you are navigating this life stage, learn how to reclaim your energy and confidence so you can step into governance and senior leadership, not away from it.
- For board chairs, directors, and HR leaders, this session delivers the insights needed to cultivate an inclusive, menopause-friendly boardroom culture.
- Benefit from the rare, dual-qualified perspective of Sarah Gray—a pharmacist, nutritionist, board director, and author who bridges the gap between clinical science and corporate leadership.
- Move past vague advice and walk away with evidence-based, real-world tools that actually work for busy, high-performing executives.
Key details:
At this online event, you’ll get the chance to be part of this by asking questions. You’ll also get to meet some of the Take on Board community, not only from Australia but across the world!
- When: Thursday, 27 August 2026, from 7.30am to 9.00am (AEST, Melbourne time)
- Where: on Zoom
- Who: hosted by me. Our guest speaker is Sarah Gray.
Registration fee:
- Super earlybird $5.50
- Earlybird $16.50
- Full price $27.50
(all prices include GST).
Event registration below.
Note: If you don’t have time to submit the form now, use the ‘Save and Continue Later‘ button at the bottom of the screen to save your progress and return later.
Contact my office if you would like more information or have any questions – otherwise, we look forward to seeing you there!
Host
Helga Svendsen OAM
I am the host of the Take on Board podcast and ‘Connector in Chief’ for the Take on Board community. A lawyer, and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD). I am a facilitator, coach and mentor in governance. I have worked with a variety of clients across the public, private and community sector on governance matters including board reviews, governance training and board recruitment.
I am the Chair of the Workplace Injury Commission. I am also a member of the Boards Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Department of Health, and the Greenpeace Australia Pacific Nominations Committee.
I am a former board member of the Royal Women’s Hospital, YWCA Victoria, Social Housing Victoria and former Chair of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership.
I am passionate about the power of diversity, equity and inclusion in the boardroom and how it positively and constructive contributes to good governance.
You can find out more about me on my website, through the Take on Board podcast and on my LinkedIn.
Guest speaker
Sarah Gray.
Certified MyMT®Menopause Lifestyle Practitioner and author of It’s Not You, It’s Perimenopause