In this episode, I interview Maria Trapenasso, SVP and National Practice Leader of Talent Solutions at NFP, whose career journey brings such a unique and important perspective to our industry. Maria started in HR before transitioning into insurance sales, even earning her health and life license so she could work directly with individuals. Her dual lens, understanding both employee needs and business priorities, really shapes how she shows up today. What stood out to me right away is how deeply she understands the gap that can exist between what companies think employees need and what they’re actually experiencing in real life.

Our conversation focused on menopause in the workplace. Maria shared eye-opening insights on how this natural life stage is impacting productivity, retention, and, importantly, some of the most experienced women in the workforce. We talked about how often organizations overlook this entirely, despite the very real business implications, and why it’s time to approach it not just as a personal issue, but as a workforce strategy. I appreciated how practical Maria was, from creating safe spaces for employees to have a voice, to educating managers, to building policies that actually reflect the realities of a multi-generational workforce.