Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

Sinead Sharkey-Steenson is an inspirational speaker, leadership coach and trailblazer in the fields of menopause awareness and women’s empowerment at work. Best known as the founder of Generation Women, Sinead has made it her mission to challenge the stigma surrounding menopause in professional environments and drive forward gender equality. Her energetic speaking style and unwavering commitment to equity have made her a standout voice in leadership and organisational transformation. As a result, she is regularly invited to speak at international women’s leadership conferences, where her message resonates with professionals across all sectors.

Sinead’s remarkable career stems from her early experiences in the corporate world, where she spent over 20 years working in human resources and leadership development. Holding a BA Hons in Psychology and two master’s degrees, including an MSc in Human Resource Management, she built a deep understanding of workplace dynamics. Feeling disillusioned with the limitations placed on women in male-dominated environments, she made the bold decision in 2016 to leave corporate leadership and establish her own business, focused on helping women navigate the challenges of menopause while advancing in their careers.

Through her work, Sinead has made a tangible impact, having empowered over 10,000 women to grow their confidence and influence at work. Her collaborations with global companies like Deloitte and Oracle demonstrate her ability to influence change across diverse organisational cultures. Her TEDx talk, “Menopause: Smashing the Last Glass Ceiling,” delivered in 2021, broke new ground by sparking vital conversations about menopause in the workplace. In addition to her speaking and coaching credentials, she is an NLP Master Practitioner, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, ICF-accredited coach, and PQ Coach.

Sinead’s combination of lived experience, professional expertise and passion for gender equity makes her a powerful agent for change. Organisations turn to her not just to inspire but to transform the way they support women leaders. Her 2023 coaching programmes have equipped teams with tools to approach menopause with empathy and practical solutions. Sinead Sharkey-Steenson is a force for inclusion—someone who leads with purpose, and empowers others to do the same.