Women spend nearly a decade more of their lives in poor health than men. It’s a gap that doesn’t just affect individuals, it holds back entire organizations.

This week on Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and founder of Pivotal, and Regina E. Dugan, President and CEO of Wellcome Leap, to unpack the health disparities impacting women at work, and explore what it will take to close them.

Melinda and Regina both operate at the intersection of capital, science, and equity. Together, they are rethinking how we invest in women’s health, examining why progress has been so slow, and identifying what leaders can do to drive meaningful change.

Jessi, Melinda, and Regina discuss:

Why women spend more years in poor health, and how that affects their careers
The ways health inequities limit advancement and economic opportunity
Why investing in women’s health isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a smart move financially
The role senior leadership plays in reshaping outcomes for women at work
How policy, science, and leadership all play a part in closing the health gap for women

Follow Melinda French Gates, Regina E. Dugan, and Jessi Hempel on LinkedIn

This conversation was recorded live in Bellevue, Washington. If you’re a premium member, you can watch the extended version, featuring lots more audience questions, here.

We will be launching the Hello Monday book club soon. If you’re interested in joining, send us an email at hellomonday@linkedin.com and let us know!