From Solo Struggle to Sisters’ Shared Solutions: A Menopause Leadership Revolution

By Darby Koller, CSMC

Raised by a strong, compassionate woman who taught us that silence is rarely the answer, I now understand how much she carried quietly—especially when it came to her health and the health of her daughters. She didn’t speak openly about sexuality, womanhood, or the many life phases we’d eventually face. Like many women of her generation, she endured in silence. And yet, she led by example, working hard, loving fiercely, and showing up with grit and grace until the day she passed at 78 years young.

If she were here today, we know she’d be cheering us on, giving her full blessing as we use our voices, training, and lived experiences to break the silence for the next generation. Together, my sister and I are honoring her legacy by advocating for midlife women navigating one of the most overlooked transitions in modern leadership: menopause.

Though our professional paths were different, they led us to the same mission. My sister, Dr. LeAnn DeHoff, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, made a powerful shift from the corporate world into clinical counseling, founding The Lux Center of Counseling and Education. Her work is rooted in empathy, evidence, and empowerment—creating a safe and supportive space for women to heal, grow, and thrive.

I, Darby, was thriving in high-level business development roles, until perimenopause brought my momentum to a grinding halt. In a moment I’ll never forget, I found myself mid-presentation, in front of a room of professionals, overcome by a hot flash so intense it triggered a panic attack. That one moment led to lasting cardiovascular symptoms, emotional exhaustion, and a deep sense of isolation. I didn’t know where to turn. No one was talking about it. And in the workplace, it felt like there was no space for it.

What brought us together professionally was what connected us personally: the realization that midlife women are quietly carrying the weight of change, while still showing up as leaders, mothers, caretakers, and professionals. And yet, their needs go largely unacknowledged.

Together, we knew we had to change that.

What We’re Doing Together

From The Lux Center, Dr. LeAnn offers trauma-informed, compassionate counseling for women navigating anxiety, hormone-related shifts, and life transitions.

From Reset & Renew, I coach women through sustainable lifestyle habits, movement, and the evidence-based Reset Framework, while also training HR leaders and workplaces to support and retain this vital demographic.

And now, through RESET: The Menopause Leadership Series (👉 www.bit.ly/40OHJer), we are equipping companies with the tools, training, and cultural strategies they need to support women in midlife—ensuring leaders don’t just survive this transition, but thrive in it.

Together, we address menopause from both sides: the emotional and the practical. Our workshops and services are deeply human-centered, built on empathy, clinical expertise, and a commitment to changing the culture of silence.

Why This Matters Now

Women in midlife are not just surviving, they’re still leading, innovating, and mentoring. But when they’re unsupported through menopause, it chips away at their confidence, energy, and sense of belonging.

This is more than a health issue. It’s a leadership issue, a retention issue, and a cultural issue. And now more than ever, companies are being called to lead differently—through compassion, education, and inclusion.

Let’s Do This Together

If our mother were here, she would remind us to speak up, take action, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who are still finding their voice.

So that’s what we’re doing.

If you're an HR leader, business owner, or someone who knows it's time to change the way we show up for women in midlife, reach out.

Join us in RESET: The Menopause Leadership Series and be part of the revolution that redefines what it means to lead through midlife 👉 www.bit.ly/40OHJer.

Let’s create workplaces and communities where no woman feels left out in the cold during one of the most transformational seasons of her life.

📅 Book with Darby: https://bit.ly/4iEj7ex
🌐 Learn more: www.resetandrenewhc.com | www.theluxcce.com/health-coaching