Ivey’s inaugural Women’s Wellness Summit, From Stigma to Solutions: Shaping the Future of Women’s Healthcare in Canada, brought together a dynamic group of Ivey alumni and thought leaders in Toronto to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in women’s health.
Led by Madiha Khan, MBA ’11, Larissa Lalonde, HBA ’20, and Sarah Smart, MBA ’18, the event was the first in Ivey’s new Women’s Wellness Series and focused on empowering women to advocate for better care and awareness around menopause, perimenopause, and overall health.
“We're thrilled to bring together a lineup of incredible advocates and leaders in the healthcare space to discuss how we can continue to push the boundaries of access and equity in women’s healthcare,” said Smart, co-leader of the Healthcare Alumni Community.
Evidence, empathy, and early intervention
The afternoon began with a fireside chat with Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe, MD, CCFP, a menopause-certified family physician, lecturer at the University of Toronto, and health expert on CTV’s The Social. Known for her approachable style and evidence-driven perspective, Wijayasinghe, known as "Dr. Sheila," offered a candid discussion on what women need to know about menopause, from early intervention to mental health impacts.
She emphasized that the average age of menopause is 51, but symptoms and changes can start much earlier. Sleep, exercise, and emotional well-being all play a role in how women experience this transition, Dr. Sheila explained, urging women not to suffer in silence and to seek care that supports their physical and mental health.
“You have rights as a patient to ask for a second opinion, or to ask for a referral,” said Dr. Sheila. “There are virtual care companies that will see you as well to have these conversations if you're not getting the care that you deserve… Going in as a knowledgeable patient, tracking your symptoms, and naming them is critical.”
Dr. Sheila also addressed common misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy and the importance of evidence-based treatments during midlife. Stressing the need for systemic change, she called for updates to clinical guidelines and improved support and compensation for healthcare providers delivering menopause care.
The power of collaboration and innovation
Following the fireside chat, Kristen Sovereign, HBA ’13, of Deloitte moderated a lively panel discussion featuring three leaders driving change in women’s health:
- Erin Craven, HBA ’98, Founder, UROSPOT;
- Swati Matta, MBA ’16, Head of Women’s Health at Dialogue; and,
- Lori Casselman, BSc, MSc, CEO & Founder of June Health.
Each panellist shared her journey of addressing major gaps in women’s healthcare, from pelvic health and menopause management to digital innovation and workplace well-being.
Craven described how her company, UROSPOT, helps women overcome pelvic health challenges through education, technology, and compassionate care. Matta discussed how Dialogue uses virtual platforms and AI-driven solutions to make health care more accessible and inclusive. And Casselman highlighted the crucial role of employers in offering women’s health benefits and education.
“I love that there’s momentum right now in women’s health and we’re talking about awareness and education,” said Matta. “But I think it’s time we move beyond conversation and really focus on scalable impact.”
The panel also spotlighted the gender gap in health care entrepreneurship, with only about five per cent of venture capital funding going to female entrepreneurs. The speakers encouraged alumni and investors to help level the playing field by supporting women-led startups advancing health technology and care innovation.
Calls to action
Throughout the conversation, speakers underscored the economic and societal impact of ignoring women’s health. Unmanaged menopause symptoms alone cost the Canadian economy billions in lost productivity, while insufficient funding and awareness continue to limit progress.
The event concluded with a collective call to action for alumni and attendees, urging them to advocate for improved access to evidence-based menopause care, support health-care providers in their work, and champion female entrepreneurs advancing women’s health solutions. Participants were encouraged to raise awareness within workplaces and organizations about the importance of women’s health, while also prioritizing their own well-being and seeking care when needed.
Keeping up the momentum
In her closing remarks, Dr. Sheila urged attendees to keep the momentum going.
“We are now catching up to the public demand to appropriately and properly care for women in midlife and beyond,” she said. “There's so much potential in this space, and you do not need to suffer. There are so many great options for lifestyle and medication that we can support you with. It's just a matter of starting that conversation like we're doing today.”
With its powerful mix of expertise, empathy, and innovation, Ivey’s first Women’s Wellness Summit set the tone for an ongoing movement to transform women’s health care in Canada.
