About Us
Paula & Jennifer's Journey
Two women. One support group. One conversation that became a company.
Paula Brown and Jennifer McMahon didn’t set out to build Konenki. They set out to find help for themselves.
Both were navigating perimenopause. Both brought decades of experience in counseling, leadership, and human development. And both kept running into the same wall: providers who didn’t understand what they were dealing with, advice that contradicted itself, and a healthcare system that treated menopause as an afterthought.
They met at a menopause support group and recognized something familiar in each other almost immediately. Two women who cared about helping others, and who knew firsthand that women deserved better than piecing this together alone.
What if the right providers were easy to find? What if women didn’t have to spend years figuring out where to turn?
Those questions became Konenki: a network of vetted providers, spanning medical, mental health, and integrative care, built on connection instead of guesswork.
Paula and Jennifer still lead that network today, and they’re still walking the same road as the women they serve. Because when women get the right support, menopause stops being something to survive. It becomes something they can move through, with people who understand.
Why we do what we do
These providers were out there all along: the doctors, nurses, therapists, coaches, and practitioners dedicated to helping women thrive. What was missing was a way to connect them—and to connect women to them. Konenki became that connection.
Building Konenki’s network requires more than just identifying individual expertise. We approach the task with diligence, vetting each provider to ensure not only competence but also compassion—a hallmark of the Konenki mission.
Each professional brings unique skills and approaches, but together, they create something extraordinary: a space where collaboration flourishes and women find comprehensive, holistic support for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
The Konenki network is a hub of synergy. Providers who once worked in isolation now find opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge, and elevate their practices. This collective effort amplifies their ability to address the multifaceted needs of women experiencing menopause.
Konenki’s name, drawn from the Japanese term meaning “new beginnings,” embodies the essence of this mission. It isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement—one that transforms the overwhelming challenges of menopause into opportunities for empowerment and growth. By connecting women with a vetted, collaborative network of experts, Konenki redefines menopause as a time of possibility rather than loss.
Today, the Konenki network is much more than a directory. It is a dynamic community of providers working together to guide women with clarity, confidence, and dignity. And while Paula’s personal story is the spark, the true heroes of this journey are the providers whose passion and expertise light the way for women entering a transformative new chapter of life.
Together, we aren’t just changing the conversation about menopause—we’re creating a new standard of care, one relationship at a time. This is the story of Konenki: a story of connection, collaboration, and a commitment to helping every woman embrace her new beginning.
Meet Our Team
Paula Brown
Founder and CEO
Paula Brown holds a Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management and a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, blending nonprofit and corporate expertise. A learning and development leader, she excels in designing impactful training programs and fostering inclusivity through strong communication and facilitation skills. Resilient and committed to helping others overcome challenges, Paula drives organizational growth with a focus on continuous learning.
Paula is the creator of Rita’s Labyrinth in Holliston, MA, offering mindfulness and spiritual practices inspired by diverse traditions, especially the divine feminine. She is also a facilitator of The Artist’s Way, creating spaces for exploration and growth, integrating her professional and spiritual passions to inspire lasting positive change.
Jennifer McMahon
Co-Founder and COO
Jennifer McMahon, MEd, CMC, is a licensed counselor, certified menopause coaching specialist, and bestselling author. With a Master’s degree in Education and over 25 years experience as a licensed counselor, Jennifer McMahon is a dedicated professional committed to supporting and empowering women in menopause. As a certified menopause coaching specialist, Jennifer integrates her expertise in counseling with a deep passion for women’s health and wellness, guiding them through both personal and professional transformations. As a multi-business owner and bestselling author, Jennifer thrives on creating meaningful connections and fostering growth.
Jennifer is a devoted mother of four grown children and two amazing Boxers, and is a passionate beekeeper. She’s working toward her boating license to ensure many future days on the water.
Cathy Tallone
Director of Provider Experience
Cathy Tallone is a leadership coach, speaker, retreat host, and community builder with more than 20 years of experience helping women grow personally and professionally through meaningful connection, collaboration, and holistic leadership.
As the creator and host of The Holistic Health & Wellness Leadership Retreat and a founding Vetted Konenki Provider (VKP), Cathy is passionate about bringing exceptional women together, cultivating authentic relationships, and creating communities where everyone feels supported, valued, and inspired to contribute.
As Director of Provider Experience, Cathy is dedicated to helping Konenki providers build meaningful connections, discover opportunities for collaboration, and get the greatest possible value from being part of the Konenki community.
Alison Batchelder
Provider Partnerships Liaison
Ali Batchelder serves as Konenki’s Provider Partnerships Liaison, where she helps prospective providers discover the value of joining our trusted network of menopause professionals. She enjoys building meaningful relationships, guiding providers through the onboarding process, and ensuring they feel welcomed, informed, and supported from their very first interaction with Konenki.
Ali holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science and a master’s degree in Athletic Training. She is also a licensed health teacher with a passion for education, wellness, and empowering others to live healthier lives.
Outside of work, Ali is the proud single mother of identical twin girls and the devoted mom to two French Bulldogs. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, volunteering at her local animal shelter, attending concerts, and collecting tattoos. Ali is thrilled to be part of a community so deeply committed to supporting and empowering women through every stage of midlife.