A conversation with Jodi Cartwright
For women in the C-suite, success often comes with a unique set of challenges, usually centred around leading high-stakes projects whilst balancing personal commitments. Whilst we’ve made great strides in making parenthood easier to manage, another significant life stage—the menopause — is rarely discussed. Indeed, “The Change” remains largely stigmatised, with euphemisms masking the real challenges some women face during this period.
The need for action is underscored by recent research. A 2023 survey by SimplyHealth found that 23% of working women aged 40 to 60 have considered resigning due to menopause, with 14% planning to leave their jobs. And despite the advances of the last few years, the statistics are equally alarming for mothers: less than a quarter (24%) of women return to full-time work after having children, and of those who do, 79% eventually leave due to the pressures of juggling both.
These are the types of challenges that Jodi Cartwright, CCO of Tint Financial Services, knows well. Despite being generally well-informed, she was unaware of how disruptive the symptoms of the peri-menopause could be. Having had no previous hormonal issues and being only 47, it didn’t occur to her that her new symptoms could be attributed to the menopause.
“Sleep became horrendous – every other night I would be lying awake until 2-3am. From there, brain fog set in, and I started doubting my cognitive ability. I had to write everything down! At the time, I chalked it up to the mental overload of starting a new C-suite role, but it didn’t settle down,”
Jodi recalls
The reluctance to discuss menopause openly leaves many women to suffer in silence just when they should be stepping into their power. This silence is particularly striking given that so many women reach the peak of their careers during their menopausal years. The average age of a CEO is 53, placing many women in the C-suite right at the time when peri-menopause and menopause symptoms can hit hardest.
When Jodi finally stumbled upon an article about peri-menopause, everything clicked. Joint pain, brain fog, sleepless nights—it all began to make sense. Like so many women, she had been blindsided by symptoms she didn’t recognise.
“When I looked into the statistics, I was horrified. I read that one in five menopausal women pass up the chance of a promotion due to menopause, and 19% reduce their hours. I had no idea, and I realised how little we talk about this.”
Jodi had built her reputation on being sharp, confident, and in control and was determined to get back on track and find a solution.
This led Jodi on an unexpected personal well-being journey that she navigated amidst the chaos of these changes. Jodi began to understand that while staying on top of her career was important, so was listening to her body. She needed to make her health a priority, even if that meant reshaping her life.
Jodi’s journey cemented the idea that the conversation around leadHERship needs to evolve. The menopause can undermine confidence, too many women are suffering in silence and many stepping away just as we are making inroads into more gender diversity in senior roles. Positive representations of menopausal women in business or popular culture are few and far between, and this lack of visibility perpetuates silence around the issue.
In our upcoming Women in Power event taking place on Thursday, 26th September, Jodi will share her story, offering candid insights on how to manage these life stages while maintaining a high-level career. This event isn’t just about menopause—it’s about breaking the silence around the unique challenges women face as they rise to leadership. We can either stay quiet and fade into the background, or we can embrace change, adapt, and take control of our futures.
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