Brynlea Hunter-Morpeth (CPO) and Drew Carrick Anderson
(OD Consultant)

AIA New Zealand is part of the AIA Group, one of the largest insurers in the world with a presence in 18 countries across Asia Pacific.

AIA’s vision is to help make New Zealand one of the healthiest and most protected nations in the world. They strive to help their customers live healthier, longer, better lives by encouraging them to make positive lifestyle changes one small step at a time and they carry this commitment through to their own people.

With a strong DE&I commitment already embedded, and sixty two percent of both the total AIA New Zealand workforce and it’s Executive Team being women (45% of those aged 40-60 years – the hot spot for peri/menopause), recognising menopause in the workplace as a timely and “easy win” was a no brainer for Chief People & Culture Officer Brynlea Hunter-Morpeth and OD Consultant Drew Carrick-Anderson.

In our Pause for Thought conversation Brynlea, Drew and I talk about:

• An Executive perspective on the importance of supporting menopause in the workplace
• Menopause, ‘The Great Resignation’, and senior female talent
• The nitty gritty of how AIA developed and launched their awareness campaign and Menopause Support Toolkit
• How it might be easier and faster than you think to make a start
• What specifically is covered in their Menopause Support Toolkit
• Drew being one of the ‘men in menopause’, encouraging male involvement, and working with resistance; and
• Their advice for meno-curious organisations about raising awareness and supporting people going through peri/menopause.

Brynlea Hunter-Morpeth (Chief People & Culture Officer) has 17+ years in the people space across organisations including DHL, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, and now at AIA New Zealand where she leads the people, capability and remuneration part of the business. Along with her BIG day job of helping AIA people reach their full potential, Brynlea is also kept busy with two growing girls and a stack of good books.

Drew Carrick-Anderson (Organisational Development Consultant) looks after various strategic HR pieces, but secretly enjoys diversity, equity and inclusion work the most. Recently, he was instrumental in the rollout of AIA’s Menopause Support Toolkit. Prior to delving into the corporate world, Drew was an ESOL teacher. He has two pre-school daughters, which means he is always very tired and very happy.