Dr. Makeba Williams 

Clinical Director, Center for Health, Awareness & Research of Menopause, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Chicago, IL

​​​​​

Dr. Williams is a nationally recognized leader in menopause care and medical education. President‑Elect and a trustee of The Menopause Society,  she focuses on transforming how clinicians support individuals navigating menopause, with a strong commitment to advancing equitable and culturally responsive care for women of color. Her reviews on the experiences of African American women in menopause and culturally responsive menopause care highlight the need for individualized, patient‑centered approaches. Dr. Williams’s speaking engagements help shape national conversations on the future of menopause care.

Denise Pines 

Award-Winning Filmmaker and Health Advocate

​​​​​

Denise’s latest documentary - “The (M) Factor 2: Before the Pause” - focuses on the perimenopausal transition, when a woman’s hormonal changes are often ignored or dismissed. The film emphasizes a woman’s need for validation, information, and appropriate care during this critical life stage. 

Denise will show us portions of her breakthrough documentary, followed by a discussion on how to spark cultural change, especially for women of color, too often victims of systemic prejudice. 

Dr. Jessica Shepherd

Founder, Modern Meno Health​

​​​​​

Dr. Shepherd is a leading voice in advancing innovative, accessible solutions for midlife women, bridging clinical care, digital health, and public education. She is committed to expanding equitable access to menopause care and modernizing the way it’s delivered. 

Dr. Dawn Mandeville

Senior Partner
Atlanta Gynecology & Obstetrics 
Decatur, GA 

​​​​​​

A graduate of the Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Mandeville chose the OBGYN field because she can interact with women in all stages of their lives, both from medical and personal perspectives. Besides being a menopausal medicine expert, she’s an avid golfer, professional photographer, and cocktail mixologist. 

Dr. Sharon Malone

OBGYN & Menopause Specialist

​​​​​

A nationally recognized leader in women’s health, Dr. Malone has spent decades caring for women across the lifespan, with particular expertise in menopause management and hormone therapy. She is widely respected for translating complex science into accessible guidance and as an advocate for evidence-based care that centers around women’s lived experiences.

Joy D. Calloway

President & CEO
Black Women’s Health Imperative ​

​​​​​

A transformational health care and nonprofit leader, Joy brings her vision and expertise to the only national nonprofit working to solve the most pressing health issues affecting Black women and girls. Prior to joining BWHI, she served as Executive Director of the National Medical Association (NMA).

Omisade Burney-Scott

Founder/Curator
Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause

​​​​​

During the past 30 years, Omisade has been deeply involved in social justice movements seeking to liberate marginalized communities, beginning with her own. As Chief Menopause Steward of The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause, she is focused on normalizing the midlife transition through the stories of Black women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other marginalized groups. Activities include intergenerational community programs, peer learning, menopause training, leadership, and advocacy. 

Sateria Venable

Founder/CEO The Fibroid Foundation

​​​​​

Sateria founded The Fibroid Foundation in 2013, after a series of total fibroid surgeries.  Represented in over 180 countries today, the foundation provides menstrual health education and fibroid treatment resources. Sateria is co-principal investigator on a fibroid study with Mayo Clinic and has co-authored 30 scientific papers published in leading medical journals.