Women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and service roles navigate immense pressure — and when perimenopause enters the picture, the physical and emotional shifts can feel overwhelming.

In this She Spark episode, I talk with Dr. Emilie Wilson, founder of Sanos Wellness, about what’s actually happening in perimenopause, why so many symptoms go misdiagnosed or dismissed, and how women can work with their biology to regain clarity, energy, and confidence.

This conversation is important for women, AND for workplaces, leaders, and communities who want to support them.

Join us as we sit down with Allison Lenocker, Executive Director of the Coalition for Compassion & Justice, to talk about what fuels her passion for helping others, the fire behind CCJ’s mission, and the sparks of joy that keep her glowing — both in work and in life.

🎧 Tune in and get inspired to ignite your own spark of compassion!

Margaret Colwell is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Human Factors Psychology with a minor in Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She aims to apply psychological principles to improve safety practices within aviation operations.

She is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and safety protocols by combining research experience with practical applications, particularly in air traffic control (ATC) and human factors.

Margaret actively seeks opportunities to utilize her academic background, practical skills, and genuine passion for aviation in a full-time role focused on Human Factors or Aviation Safety. 

Sasha began her career as a professional dancer traveling the world dancing for major cruise lines and was represented by a top talent agency in Los Angeles. When she met her future husband, she decided to finish college and not only marry him, but also marry her passions that consumed her life: dance, fitness, and health. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and a Minor in Dance. She is a registered 200hr yoga teacher and a personal trainer and has coached competitive dance for over 18 years. Together, Sasha and Ben envisioned a place that would allow their talents to flourish and their desire to impact as many people as possible while maintaining the balance of their little family (Lela & Eldon), so...The Movement Studio was born.

Learn more about The Movement Studio at https://www.themovementstudiopv.com/

Melea Banaszak is an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving as their Capacity Building Coordinator with the Wrapped In Love Diaper Bank (Prescott Valley). With a degree in Public Health, Psychology, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), she has sought to support communities from an intersectional viewpoint. Passionate about women’s health issues, Melea has been an advocate for gender equality for many years and has worked with the United Nations Foundation Organization, Girl Up, and her college’s Office of Sexual Assault Prevention Education. In her role with the diaper bank, she has initiated and continued to expand the period product campaign, providing schools and homeless liaisons with much-needed feminine hygiene products. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, yoga, and curling up with a good book.

Connect with her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/meleabanaszak or learn more about Wrapped In Love Diaper Bank at www.wrappedinlovediaperbank.org.

Nancy Roberts is a Lieutenant at the Prescott Valley Police Department in Northern Arizona. With over 18 years of experience, Nancy has held various positions, including patrol officer, crime prevention officer, Corporal, and Patrol Sergeant. She has received multiple life-saving awards, including the AZWIN Taking Time Award, and was vital in obtaining the agency's first-ever accreditation through ALEAPS. Nancy is an Accredited Command Executive through AACOP and has completed the FBI LEEDA Trilogy. She has a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership in Criminal Justice and is pursuing her master's in the same area. Nancy and her partner have a blended family of six children and enjoy coaching basketball, bowling, and camping.

Learn more at https://www.prescottvalley-az.gov/1337/Police-Department

Melyssa Munday is a busy mom of five and a mentor for virtual assistant moms. She is obsessed with helping moms work from home and build a successful business or side hustle as a virtual assistant. She creates content that is simple, actionable, and easy to consume. Melyssa loves smooth-writing purple pens and to-do lists. In her spare time, she drives her kids to sports and volunteers, raising money for Prescott High School.

Learn more at http://melyssamunday.com/

Amanda has over 15 years of education experience and a Master's of Education from Ohio State University. She is launching Yavapai Exploration and Science (YES!) in Prescott. YES! inspires curiosity and appreciation for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through programs, workshops, and events. Amanda aims to create opportunities for all ages to explore the natural world, unlock creativity, and embrace lifelong learning. Her background includes teaching at the primary level and various administrative roles. Her passion for education extends to her hobbies, such as mountain biking, traveling, and camping with her family. Through YES!, Amanda envisions making STEAM education accessible and inclusive for everyone through hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits, or community outreach initiatives.

Amanda is also the 2024 Prescott Woman STEAM Award Winner.

Learn more about YES! at https://www.instagram.com/yes_prescott/

Allison Lenocker, a Phoenix native, has dedicated her career to making a positive impact. She started at Fermi National Accelerator Lab in Illinois and later worked with adults with developmental disabilities in Peoria. After coaching Special Olympics for over a decade, she moved to Prescott Valley in 2011 to work with at-risk girls. In 2018, she became the assistant director of the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) and now leads the organization. Under her leadership, CCJ has gained recognition for its innovative approaches to housing and played a pivotal role in battling homelessness. Allison is a leader and a compassionate advocate for change, contributing to the collective effort to end and prevent homelessness in the community. Her dedication to humanitarian causes showcases her unwavering commitment to advocate for those in need. She is also the 2024 Prescott Woman Social Impact Award recipient.

Learn more about CCJ at https://yavapaiccj.org/

Missy Sikora is the Director of the Yavapai Family Advocacy Center (YFAC). As Director of YFAC, she serves as the county Children’s Justice Coordinator. Previously, she was a Supervisor for the Arizona Department of Child Safety in Prescott. Prior experience includes 15 years as a school teacher in Phoenix, four years as an intake counselor for the Durango Juvenile Detention Center, and three years as an intake counselor for the Phoenix Children’s Crisis Nursery. Missy serves on the Board of Directors for the Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation and is co-chair for the Yavapai County Multi-Disciplinary Task Force Responding to Human Trafficking. She is a Yavapai County Child Fatality Review Team member and the Yavapai County Overdose Fatality Review Team. Missy holds a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor’s in Counseling & Human Services and is also a Certified Public Management Program graduate from Arizona State University.

Learn more about YFAC at https://yfac.org/