Today we’d like to introduce you to Carleeka Basnight-Menendez.
Hi Carleeka, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began long before I launched my company. With a background in biology and more than a decade of experience in healthcare, I always knew I wanted to improve people’s lives. However, my own health experience changed the direction of my career forever.
At 30 years old, I underwent a total hysterectomy, which thrust me into surgical menopause. Like so many women, I struggled to find answers, support, and healthcare providers who truly understood what I was experiencing. That journey opened my eyes to the significant gaps in menopause education, workplace awareness, and women’s health advocacy.
Instead of allowing that experience to define me, I allowed it to fuel my purpose.
Today, I am the Founder and CEO of INSO Inc., a workforce wellness and health education company dedicated to helping organizations create healthier, more supportive environments where employees can thrive. While our work began with menopause advocacy, it has expanded into a comprehensive approach to workforce wellness, leadership development, biological health education, and organizational performance.
Through corporate training, certification programs, consulting, community initiatives, and public speaking, I help employers, healthcare professionals, and communities understand that employee well-being is not just a health issue, it’s a business strategy.
Looking back, what started as one woman’s search for answers has become a mission to improve the lives of thousands. My goal is simple: to make sure no one has to navigate their health journey feeling unseen, unsupported, or alone. Every challenge I’ve faced has become an opportunity to create lasting change for individuals, workplaces, and communities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but every challenge has strengthened my purpose.
Like many entrepreneurs, I started with a vision but limited resources. Building a business while educating people about menopause, something that wasn’t widely discussed in workplaces or communities; meant overcoming skepticism, funding challenges, and the constant need to prove why this issue matters. There were moments when I questioned whether people were ready for these conversations.
Personally, navigating surgical menopause at just 30 years old was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I was dealing with symptoms that affected every aspect of my health while trying to find reliable information and support. That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of the gaps that millions of women face and reinforced my commitment to creating solutions.
Another challenge has been balancing my passion for serving others with the realities of growing a business. As a founder, you wear many hats, educator, strategist, marketer, fundraiser, and leader—all while staying focused on your mission.
What has kept me moving forward is knowing that every woman who tells me, “I finally feel seen,” or every employer who begins creating a more supportive workplace reminds me why this work is so important. Those moments make every obstacle worthwhile.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about allowing those challenges to shape your resilience, deepen your purpose, and inspire meaningful change.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
INSO Inc. is a workforce wellness and health education company dedicated to helping organizations build healthier, more resilient, and higher-performing workplaces. While we are widely recognized for our groundbreaking work in menopause education and advocacy, our mission extends far beyond menopause. We take a whole-person approach to employee well-being by connecting biological health, leadership development, workplace culture, and organizational performance.
We partner with employers, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to deliver evidence-based training, consulting, certification programs, and wellness strategies that improve employee engagement, retention, productivity, and overall well-being. Our services include corporate wellness workshops, leadership development, workforce wellness consulting, menopause advocacy training, and our Menopause Advocacy Professional (MAP-PRO™) Certification Program, which equips professionals to become informed advocates within their organizations and communities.
What sets INSO apart is that we bridge the gap between science and strategy. We don’t just raise awareness, we provide organizations with practical, measurable solutions they can implement immediately. Our work combines healthcare expertise, lived experience, business strategy, and leadership development to create sustainable change.
As someone who personally experienced surgical menopause at the age of 30, I understand the challenges from both a professional and personal perspective. That lived experience, combined with my background in biology and healthcare, allows me to approach wellness with empathy, credibility, and practical solutions.
What I’m most proud of is the impact our work is having. We’re changing conversations that were once considered taboo, helping organizations recognize that employee health is a business priority, and empowering individuals to advocate for themselves with confidence. Every workshop, partnership, and conversation brings us one step closer to workplaces where people feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.
At INSO, we believe healthier people build stronger organizations. When employers invest in the well-being of their workforce, everyone benefits, from the individual employee to the organization’s long-term success.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a lifelong learner, so I’m always looking for resources that help me grow personally and professionally. One of my favorite ways to learn is through audiobooks because they allow me to make the most of my time while traveling or between meetings.
I also rely on evidence-based women’s health resources, research publications, and practical toolkits that I can not only learn from but also share with the women, organizations, and communities I serve. I’m passionate about translating complex health information into practical, easy-to-understand resources that empower people to make informed decisions.
Beyond professional development, I enjoy books and podcasts focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, faith, resilience, and personal growth. I believe that continuous learning is one of the greatest investments we can make in ourselves. Every new insight helps me become a better leader, advocate, and educator, and ultimately allows me to better serve others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.insoinc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carleeka.basnightmenendez
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carleeka.basnightmenendez
- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/carleekaLN
