I’m Claire, an HR professional with a fertility advocate outline and also with a heart full of passion for people and a mission to make work experiences as positive and fair as possible. I firmly believe that when we feel seen, heard and recognised at work we can shine both personally and professionally.

My ‘why’ comes from my very own rollercoaster journey with fertility challenges/ infertility. Going through it myself has given me oodles of empathy for others in similar situations and this personal experience fuels my determination to push for better support and resources at work because when I had my challenges there was nothing and I have never felt so alone and disengaged. The fertility journey was the centre of all my life and all of my decisions, even work ones and did stunt my career growth without a doubt.

One of the causes closest to my heart is helping colleagues navigate their unique paths to parenthood. I’m your go-to HR expert for a lot of the fertility conversation but especially anything related to surrogacy and alternative ways to become a parent. I’m all about making sure everyone feels understood and supported, no matter their family-building journey and also attempting to fill the blatant societal gap in this conversation. It’s actually quite startling how many organisations just, ‘don’t get it’ and how those who are facing fertility challenges, especially those in same-sex relationships experience fear,isolation and prejudice. We need to recognise the legitimacy of  those alternative paths to parenthood and make a positive difference to the work journey.

Creating a warm, inclusive, and supportive work environment is my bread, butter and marmite on top. I genuinely care about making a real difference in people’s lives and ensuring that our workplace is a welcoming and empowering space for everyone. My own story and my professional expertise come together to drive my passion for promoting positive change and supporting others through their own experiences.

Raffaela Goodby is Chief People Officer for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust. She has 20 years’ experience in HR and organisational development (OD) across local government, the NHS and the private sector.

Goodby developed the national pregnancy loss policy for the NHS with trade unions which was rolled out to 1.6m people in the NHS, and she advocated for paid leave for miscarriage loss and influenced recent changes to the employment law bill, reflecting her life-long advocacy for women’s rights. Raffaela is proud of being a broken record on Women’s Health and the celebration and promotion of the divine feminine in the workplace. She is leading programmes to promote sexual safety in the workplace and help create an environment where women and girls can speak up about sexual harassment or abuse, hoping to help change workplaces to be safer for all in the future.

She was awarded the Healthcare People Management Association’s HR Director of the Year Award 2020, for putting love into leadership and developing heart-led HR and OD practice and was recently recognised in the first CIPD HR30 List for 2025, and multiple times in the ‘HR Most Influential’ annual peer listing. Goodby is a founding member and Trustee of Aston University’s STEM Education Academy Trust, including a new Mathematics school to support future generations of students into STEM jobs in the Midlands.

Lou Furby is the UK D&I Lead for Specsavers and co-founder of the Specsavers MenoTalk menopause colleague network group.

Following Lou’s own experience with menopause in the workplace, MenoTalk was created in 2020 alongside co-chair Caroline Milliken. Lou’s story is also featured in Davina McCall’s book, “Menopausing.”

In 2023, MenoTalk received Menopause in the Workplace accreditation, showcasing their dedication to improving the workplace experience for Specsavers colleagues across retail environments, support office functions, and Manufacturing and Distribution sites both in the UK and globally.

In 2024, Lou was awarded the Caroline Lazarus award for Best Individual Contribution by Henpicked.

MenoTalk’s network membership continues to grow, maintaining its core mission: to foster understanding of menopause at work through open conversations, providing training support to colleagues and managers, and sharing valuable information and resources.

The success of MenoTalk has been highlighted in industry-specific publications and currently, Lou leads all six internal colleague network groups at Specsavers, replicating the success of MenoTalk across the organisation.

Natasha has been a police officer for 26 years working predominantly in child safeguarding but also as a Diversity Officer, several strategic roles and as part of the Prevent scheme within the Counter Terrorism Unit. Natasha has been part of a small wellbeing team covering Devon, Cornwall and Dorset since 2020 and leads on Financial Wellbeing, Menopause and organising events such as our annual virtual Wellbeing Festival which is now in its sixth year and open to all UK police forces.

Annisha is a trailblazing advocate for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB), renowned for driving transformative change within some of the UK’s most influential and high-profile organisations. With a proven track record of embedding inclusive leadership and systemic equity, she has shaped cultures, policies and practices that create lasting impact at both organisational and industry levels.

As a respected advisor and thought leader, Annisha consistently challenges conventional norms and is the pioneering force behind initiatives that foster inclusive leadership, break down systemic obstacles and cultivate environments where both employees and audiences feel acknowledged, appreciated and empowered. Her efforts extend beyond mere policy, they create a lasting impact that alters how organisations perceive belonging. Driven, bold and steadfast in her mission, Annisha serves as a catalyst for genuine, measurable change in every space she touches.

Fay Simpkins is Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing at National Highways, where she leads a team of passionate experts dedicated to creating healthier, safer workplaces. With a wealth of experience across both public and private sectors, Fay combines clinical insight with strategic vision to deliver impactful wellbeing initiatives. Her leadership was pivotal in National Highways achieving “Excellence” in the Workplace Wellbeing Charter in 2024, reflecting her commitment to driving meaningful change in organisational health and wellbeing.

Leah Christian is a dynamic leader, expert psychologist, and passionate advocate for women’s health. As the founder and CEO of The House of Hormones, Leah has created a comprehensive platform dedicated to supporting women on their journey to hormonal wellness. Leah’s mission is to bridge the gap in understanding women’s hormonal health, simplifying complex topics and providing practical, research-based solutions. Her work addresses the unique challenges faced by women, helping them regain control of their well-being in an accessible, informed, and compassionate way.

Leah’s background as a trained psychologist allows her to understand the intricate connection between mental and physical health, particularly how hormonal imbalances can significantly affect both. This unique insight forms the foundation of The House of Hormones, an initiative that provides educational resources, online tools, and community support to women navigating the often confusing world of hormonal health. With a strong focus on scientific research, Leah collaborates closely with doctors, nutritionists, and other health experts to ensure that all content and advice provided by The House of Hormones is accurate, up-to-date, and empowering.

In addition to her work with The House of Hormones, Leah has built a reputation as a sought-after speaker, and Certified Menopause Wellness Coach, particularly within corporate settings. Her engaging talks on women’s health, hormonal balance, and self-care help organizations foster a more inclusive, health-conscious work culture. Leah’s practical corporate experience further enhances her ability to engage with diverse audiences, ensuring that her message of wellness resonates on both a personal and organizational level. Leah’s insights into women’s hormonal health have made her an influential figure in the emerging femtech space, and she is an ardent advocate for more research into women’s health and hormone care.

Whether speaking at conferences, collaborating with brands, or working with medical professionals, Leah’s dedication to advancing women’s health is unwavering. She continues to push boundaries, creating a world where women can access the knowledge, tools, and support they need to live healthier, more balanced lives.

With The House of Hormones, Leah Christian has not only created a brand but also a movement—one that empowers women through education, community, and action.

Natasha has been a police officer for 26 years working predominantly in child safeguarding but also as a Diversity Officer, several strategic roles and as part of the Prevent scheme within the Counter Terrorism Unit. Natasha has been part of a small wellbeing team covering Devon, Cornwall and Dorset since 2020 and leads on Financial Wellbeing, Menopause and organising events such as our annual virtual Wellbeing Festival which is now in its sixth year and open to all UK police forces.

Sarah Tait is a Senior Workplace Experience Lead at Lloyds Banking Group, where she leads Workplace Communities & Events, and the overall day-to-day experience for colleagues across offices and branches. With a passion for creating safe, engaging, and enjoyable workplaces, Sarah is dedicated to improving colleague experiences and building vibrant workplace communities through thoughtful events and initiatives.

Outside of her corporate role, Sarah is a certified NLP Master Coach and speaker, empowering corporate women with practical techniques to manage stress, overcome imposter syndrome, and build resilience. Her coaching and speaking business was born from her own powerful mental health journey — a story she shares openly to inspire others and drive meaningful conversations around wellbeing in the workplace.

Sarah’s approach is grounded in empathy, active listening, and a deep understanding of the pressures facing working women today. Whether she’s leading her team at Lloyds, speaking on stage, or supporting clients through coaching, Sarah’s mission is clear: to help people thrive — at work and in life.

Justine is a marketing leader, coach, and founder dedicated to empowering women. She began her career by driving growth for Google’s largest global clients and advertisers. Inspired by her personal fertility journey, Justine founded a women’s health support group at Google, which later led her to launch her own coaching business, The Hidden Trimester. Her business focuses on supporting women through the emotional challenges of infertility. Through private coaching programs, she helps women reclaim their strength and build connections during this difficult period. Justine is also an advocate and public speaker, sharing her insights at industry and corporate events to raise awareness about this often overlooked ‘hidden trimester.

Annisha is a trailblazing advocate for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB), renowned for driving transformative change within some of the UK’s most influential and high-profile organisations. With a proven track record of embedding inclusive leadership and systemic equity, she has shaped cultures, policies and practices that create lasting impact at both organisational and industry levels.

As a respected advisor and thought leader, Annisha consistently challenges conventional norms and is the pioneering force behind initiatives that foster inclusive leadership, break down systemic obstacles and cultivate environments where both employees and audiences feel acknowledged, appreciated and empowered. Her efforts extend beyond mere policy, they create a lasting impact that alters how organisations perceive belonging. Driven, bold and steadfast in her mission, Annisha serves as a catalyst for genuine, measurable change in every space she touches.

I’m Claire, an HR professional with a fertility advocate outline and also with a heart full of passion for people and a mission to make work experiences as positive and fair as possible. I firmly believe that when we feel seen, heard and recognised at work we can shine both personally and professionally.

My ‘why’ comes from my very own rollercoaster journey with fertility challenges/ infertility. Going through it myself has given me oodles of empathy for others in similar situations and this personal experience fuels my determination to push for better support and resources at work because when I had my challenges there was nothing and I have never felt so alone and disengaged. The fertility journey was the centre of all my life and all of my decisions, even work ones and did stunt my career growth without a doubt.

One of the causes closest to my heart is helping colleagues navigate their unique paths to parenthood. I’m your go-to HR expert for a lot of the fertility conversation but especially anything related to surrogacy and alternative ways to become a parent. I’m all about making sure everyone feels understood and supported, no matter their family-building journey and also attempting to fill the blatant societal gap in this conversation. It’s actually quite startling how many organisations just, ‘don’t get it’ and how those who are facing fertility challenges, especially those in same-sex relationships experience fear,isolation and prejudice. We need to recognise the legitimacy of  those alternative paths to parenthood and make a positive difference to the work journey.

Creating a warm, inclusive, and supportive work environment is my bread, butter and marmite on top. I genuinely care about making a real difference in people’s lives and ensuring that our workplace is a welcoming and empowering space for everyone. My own story and my professional expertise come together to drive my passion for promoting positive change and supporting others through their own experiences.