POWERED BY:
INSTITUTE FLE
THE
MIDLIFE
BRAIN
Understanding Your Brain Through Perimenopause and Menopause
TWO-DAY VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM
OCTOBER 21, 2026: 3:00–5:30 PM PT I 6:00–8:30 PM ET
OCTOBER 22, 2026: 8:00–11:30 AM PT I 11:00 AM–2:30 PM ET
OUR SYMPTOMS MAY BE FAMILIAR.
THE BRAIN CONNECTION MAY NOT BE.
Perimenopause can trigger brain fog, fatigue, and memory issues, yet many women lack clarity on why these changes occur or how to support their brain health.
Come for the knowledge.
Add your voice.
Shape the solution.
The Midlife Brain Symposium brings together women leaders, researchers, clinicians, and workplace decision-makers to bridge this gap. This two-day virtual event explores the brain’s role in the menopause transition and its impact on women’s health and leadership.
Through expert-led sessions and guided discussions, participants will learn to turn scientific evidence into actionable workplace practice.
With anonymous polls, women will be able to share the experiences and challenges that matter most—providing the insights necessary to drive future research and workplace practice.
THE SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS
Learn from experts advancing our understanding of menopause, brain health and work.
Neuroscientist and science communicator, founder of Think Brain, and bestselling author of The Women’s Brain Book.
Dr. Sarah
McKay, PhD
Vascular Neurologist & Lifestyle Medicine Specialist, Expert in Women's Brain Health & Stroke Prevention. Physician-Coach & Founder of HER PRISM
Dr. Aleksandra
Pikula, MD
Dr. Stacey
Gunn, MD
Sleep Medicine Physician, Expert in Sleep, Circadian Health & Women’s Health
Tinsley
English
Leadership Advocate & Author of Leading Through the Pause. Founder of The Three G Consulting Group
Dr. Alejandra Guerrero Barragán, MD, MPH
Neurologist, Expert in Cognitive Neurology, Brain Health & Dementia Prevention.
Kacy
Fleming, MA
Organizational Psychologist and Founder & CEO of The Fuchsia Tent
Understand what is happening in your brain—and learn what you can do to support your health, work, and leadership
THE SYMPOSIUM FACILITATORS
Meet the facilitators helping you turn knowledge into action
Leadership & Organizational Psychologist, Certified Coach, Workplace Wellbeing & Embodiment Expert
Christine
Tello-Lorenz, PsyD
Sharon
Pendlington
Menopause & Nervous System Specialist, Certified Health and Well-being Coach
Molly
Kluck
Human Factors psychologist,
Arduus Research
Psychotherapist & Author of Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period
Lauren A.
Tetenbaum
THE AGENDA
The Two-Day Learning Experience
EXPERT
speakers & facilitators
LIVE Q&A
after every keynote
GUIDED DISCUSSIONS:
reflection & application
2 HALF-DAYS
of insight, connection & action
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21: 03:00–05:30 PM PT I 6:00–8:30 PM ET
Understand your changing brain
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22: 08:00–11:30 AM PT I 11:00 AM–2:30 PM ET
Supporting the Midlife Brain
WHO IS THIS FOR
Professional Women and Women Leaders
Around 2 in 3 women report cognitive concerns during the menopause transition.
Understand changes in memory, concentration, sleep and mental energy—without mistaking symptoms for a loss of competence. Leave with greater clarity, confidence and practical ways to support your brain and your work.
Researchers and Clinicians
We know cognitive concerns are common. We know far less about how they affect women in real workplaces.
Connect current brain and menopause science with women’s lived and working experiences. Help identify the questions that future research, clinical practice and workplace guidance need to address.
Employers, HR & Workplace Leaders
Menopause at work is usually framed around physical symptoms. The more relevant story may be the cognitive-led symptoms some women face at their career peak.
This Symposium examines how these intersect with workload and workplace conditions, and what organizations can do to support, retain, and advance experienced women.
THE INSTITUTE FLE LEAD MODEL
Learn. Energize. Adapt. Deepen.
The LEAD Model is Institute FLE’s broader framework for supporting women’s brain health and leadership in midlife. This symposium focuses specifically on three elements:
01
Learn
Recognize familiar experiences—from brain fog and disrupted sleep to fatigue and difficulty concentrating—and understand what’s happening in the brain during the menopause transition.
02
Energize
Explore how sleep, movement, nutrition, stress regulation and informed healthcare can support brain health and cognitive energy.
03
Adapt
Identify practical ways to manage cognitive load, protect focus and consider how workplace practices can better support women during midlife.
“Understanding of the female midlife brain is advancing, yet much of this knowledge has not reached the women and workplaces that need it.”
Emily Serebryany - Healthcare Entrepreneur, Institute FLE Founder
OUR PARTNERS
Organizations helping advance the conversation on menopause, brain health and work.
OUR SPONSORS:
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
BEYOND THE SYMPOSIUM
Institute FLE (Female Leadership Evolution) brings together neuroscience, clinical medicine, neuroergonomics, workplace expertise and women’s lived experience. We translate emerging evidence into responsible language and practical strategies for women and workplaces.
The Midlife Brain Symposium is the first step in a year-round platform for education, research and collaboration.
An inaugural symposium.
An ongoing conversation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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The Midlife Brain Symposium is designed for professional women, researchers, clinicians, employers, HR leaders, and anyone interested in the latest science of perimenopause, menopause, brain health, and work.
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No. While we encourage attending the full program for the complete experience, you're welcome to join the sessions that best fit your schedule.
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Registered attendees will receive access to recordings after the event.
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Each day includes approximately three hours of live programming.
Wednesday, October 21: 3:00–5:30 PM PT I 6:00–8:30 PM ET.
Thursday, October 22: 8:00–11:30 AM PT I 11:00 AM–2:30 PM ET.
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Tickets cancelled 8 or more days prior to the event are eligible for a full refund. Tickets are non-refundable within 7 days of the event; however, ticket transfers to another individual are permitted. In the event of cancellation by the organizer, all ticket holders will be issued a full refund.
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We're always interested in collaborating with organizations aligned with our mission. Please contact us at emily@institutefle.com to learn about partnership opportunities.
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Connect with us on Linkedin and join the Institute FLE mailing list to receive Symposium updates, new research and insights, and news about future events and initiatives.
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