Changing the Narrative Around Menopause
About Us
MPowered Menopause was born out of a deep need: to address the silence, stigma, and lack of support surrounding a life stage that affects more than half the population.
Through advocacy, research funding, and bold community engagement, we’re not just raising awareness — we’re demanding progress. Our work is powered by personal experience, professional insight, and a shared belief that menopause deserves more.
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Lauren Jones founded Mpowered Menopause after recognizing a serious void in information, visibility, and empathy around the menopausal experience. Through conversations with countless women, she discovered a common thread: silence.
Too many women were suffering through hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, libido loss and sleep disorders without guidance or support — and they didn’t feel comfortable talking about it. That realization fueled her vision: to create a platform where menopause was no longer a taboo, but a topic of empowerment and scientific investment.
With a background in women’s advocacy and a passion for health equity, Lauren leads the charge in shifting the narrative from shame to support.
Lauren Jones
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Erica Phillips is a strategic business development leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth through partnerships, sponsorships, and communications. She currently serves as Strategic Advisor and Business Development Lead for the Mpowered Foundation and its event subsidiary, Mpowered Menopause guiding fundraising and organizational strategy.
A passionate advocate for social impact, Erica has led initiatives in Nigeria that helped young people launch aquaculture enterprises and supported women transitioning from sex work into entrepreneurship. She also serves on the boards of Northstar of GIS and Black Arts Los Angeles.
Across her work, Erica is driven by a single goal: building partnerships that create lasting value for people and communities.
G. Erica Phillips
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Erin Ryan brings over four decades of experience in Health Information Technology to her role as Strategic Advisor at Mpowered Menopause, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women’s health research and raising awareness about the critical need for menopause research funding.
Before retiring from her distinguished career in Health IT, Erin led strategic initiatives supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through leadership positions at global technology and consulting firms including Oracle, IBM, and Gartner. Her expertise spans enterprise health systems development, public health data modernization, and digital transformation efforts aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare across the nation.
Now, Erin is channeling her passion and experience toward addressing one of the most underfunded areas in women’s health: menopause research. In her advisory role, she helps guide Mpowered Menopause’s strategic direction, partnerships, and technology-driven approaches to fundraising and awareness.
Her goal is to bridge the gap between technology, healthcare, and advocacy — empowering women through better data, research, and visibility in midlife and beyond.
Erin Ryan
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Cynthia Wong is a seasoned social impact leader with more than two decades of experience in transformative change, nonprofit strategy, and purpose-driven partnerships. Throughout her career, she has helped mission-driven organizations strengthen capacity, build collaborative networks, and drive impact in service of a more just and abundant society for all. Driven by a deep commitment to advancing health and workplace equity, Cynthia joined Mpowered Menopause to support its mission of breaking silence and stigma around menopause and advancing research, education, and support for women everywhere. She advises on strategy, engagement, and mission amplification — helping ensure women are seen, heard, and equipped to thrive through midlife and beyond
Cynthia Wong
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Debra is a Brooklyn-based advocate and nonprofit founder who believes that menopause is not just a health issue, it is an equity issue. As founder of Meno Midlife Collective, she is building community and resources for women of color navigating midlife, centering their health, economic wellbeing, and full humanity. With more than 20 years of experience in workforce development and social impact, Debra brings a systems lens to the menopause conversation and a deep commitment to ensuring no woman is left out of it. She is proud to stand in solidarity with MPowered Menopause in the fight for research, visibility, and change.
Debra Means-WestLet’s Work Together
We're building a movement, and we're looking for mission-aligned sponsors, collaborators, researchers, healthcare leaders, and advisors who believe menopause deserves more than silence.
Our goal is bold: to raise $1 million to advance menopause research, expand awareness, and accelerate meaningful change for women everywhere.
No more suffering in silence. No more minimized symptoms. No more unanswered questions. Through education, advocacy, and funded research, we're working toward a future where women have the knowledge, support, comfort, and control they deserve throughout every stage of menopause.
Whether you're interested in partnering, sponsoring an initiative, serving on our advisory board, or supporting our mission, we'd love to connect.