WELCOME to the Innis Arden Women’s Collective
A peer-led club for Women to connect, share, and learn together on topics that are relevant to our lives and well-being.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 14th - Doors at 6:50
Cool the Flashes: How Blood Sugar Optimization Can Protect Your Brain and Ease Menopause Symptoms
Cool the Flashes: How Blood Sugar Optimization Can Protect Your Brain and Ease Menopause Symptoms
What if hot flashes, sleep disruption, and brain fog aren’t just about hormones?
We’re excited to welcome Riana Giusti, MS, CN, a Bastyr-trained functional nutritionist specializing in metabolic health and hormonal balance.
Riana will explore the often-overlooked role of blood sugar regulation in menopause symptoms—and how tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can offer real-time insight into how your body responds to food and daily habits. (See About this event for full course description)
She’ll share practical, approachable strategies to help you better understand your own patterns, reduce symptoms, and support long-term brain health using nutrition, diet and tracking tools. It’s a fresh and empowering way to think about what’s happening in your body during this transition.
We’re excited to welcome Riana Giusti, MS, CN, a Bastyr-trained functional nutritionist specializing in metabolic health and hormonal balance.
Riana will explore the often-overlooked role of blood sugar regulation in menopause symptoms—and how tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can offer real-time insight into how your body responds to food and daily habits. (See About this event for full course description)
She’ll share practical, approachable strategies to help you better understand your own patterns, reduce symptoms, and support long-term brain health using nutrition, diet and tracking tools. It’s a fresh and empowering way to think about what’s happening in your body during this transition.
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Riana Giusti, MS, CN
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About this event: |
Speaker Bio:
Riana holds a Master’s degree in Whole Foods Nutrition and Research from Bastyr University and a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics from University of California at Davis. She previously directed a brain-health focused nutrition teaching kitchen, while cooking with and counseling families to treat a variety of cognitive and neurological disorders (Alzheimer’s, dementia, TBIs, and cognitive impairment). Riana has worked as a culinary nutrition instructor in the public school district, personal chef for busy families, and in professional kitchens throughout Seattle. In her 1:1 client work at Starkel Nutrition (a Seattle-based Functional Medicine Nutrition clinic where she also manages a team of eight master's level dietitians and nutritionists), she focuses specifically on functional nutrition for aging, metabolic health, and hormonal balance. She is trained in interpreting functional labs—including advanced genetic, cardiovascular, hormone, gut health, and micronutrient testing—and uses these insights to guide highly personalized nutrition and lifestyle protocols. She approaches each case like a puzzle, helping clients understand the “why” behind their symptoms and empowering them to make meaningful, lasting change. Her areas of focus include:
In her personal time, she enjoys lifting heavy sh*t, running, hiking and biking around Seattle with her husband, playing frisbee with her Australian shepherd dog, Appa, blasting music in her kitchen while taking strong creative license with recipes, and savoring dark chocolate—these moments keep her grounded and remind her why sustainable, joyful health matters |
Location: Innis Arden Clubhouse
1430 NW 188th St, Shoreline, WA 98177 Bring something to eat or snack on as we will NOT be serving food. Bring some friends! Free as always. • Optional RSVP: [email protected] (helps us plan seating!) We look forward to being with you-- for thoughtful conversation, new insight, and continued connection. A Note on Format: • 6:50 PM — Doors open • 7:00 PM — Roundtable Discussion We’ll begin promptly with an open, thoughtful space for sharing what’s present for each of us—ideas, insights, curiosities, and reflections from the month. This is a time to listen, be heard, and draw strength from the collective wisdom in the room. • 7:45 PM — Guest Speaker + Q&A Please arrive by 7:00 PM — we’d love to begin the evening with everyone present. This format is designed to foster mutual support, spark new friendships, and create space for thoughtful dialogue around shared experiences. May 14 Course Description:
If you're navigating menopause, you've likely been told that hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog are just something you have to endure. But what if there was a powerful tool that could help manage these symptoms while simultaneously protecting your long-term brain health? In this session, we'll explore the surprising connection between blood sugar regulation and menopause symptoms. You'll discover how the hormonal changes of menopause affect your glucose metabolism, why this matters for both your day-to-day quality of life and your future cognitive health, and what you can do about it. You'll learn:
Warmly, The Innis Arden Women’s Collective Team |
May 21
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RECENT EVENT RECAP
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Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Menopause & Bladder — Pelvic Tone in Times of Hormone Transition Dear Friends, Thank you again to the more than 25 women who joined us at our January event, Menopause & Bladder — Pelvic Tone in Times of Hormone Transition. We’re so grateful you took the time to be part of this important conversation. It was such a meaningful evening—warm, open, and filled with thoughtful questions and shared experiences. Based on the thoughtful questions and feedback from the event, Dr. Darshana Naik created a guided self pelvic exam video exclusively for attendees. (see link below) This short, educational video will help you: -Better understand your pelvic tone -Learn what is normal — and what’s not -Gain body awareness around pelvic floor changes -Feel more informed and empowered about your next steps This is not about diagnosing yourself — it’s about education, clarity, and reconnecting with your body in a safe, respectful way. You can access the video here: https://darshanapelvicpt.kartra.com/page/self-pelvic-exam-video We’re especially grateful that she took the time to create a follow-up video just for our group, walking through how to do a self pelvic exam. It was an incredibly generous extension of the evening, and one we know many of you will appreciate revisiting. Thank you again for being part of a conversation that puts real women’s health first. Save the Date: Our next gathering will take place on Thursday, March 12th, with the same time and format as January. We’re currently working on our next topic and speaker and will share details soon. If there’s something you’d love to learn more about or a speaker you’d like us to consider, please email us—we always welcome your ideas. Warmly, The Innis Arden Women’s Collective Team A Note on format:🌱 Format: Real Talk + Expert Insight
Our events seek to follow a rhythm that allows for both personal connection and learning: 6:50 PM – Doors open + social mingling· 7:00 PM – Roundtable sharing Each woman will have a chance to introduce herself and briefly share something she’s observing or experiencing this month. This will be similar to a PEPS-style group and conversations will be facilitated to deepen connection and support. This will be entirely confidential and will not leave the room. 7:45 PM – Guest speaker presentation + Q&A This format is designed to foster mutual support, spark new friendships, and create space for thoughtful dialogue around shared experiences 
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What we're reading...
The Slow Moon Climbs by Susan Mattern https://a.co/d/fZBgyLW offers a fascinating, data-rich look at menopause from an evolutionary and cross-cultural perspective. If you’re interested in a non-medicalized, historically grounded understanding of this transition, this book is a thoughtful, science-backed read by a history professor who explores how menopause has been experienced across time and cultures.
Into the Magic Shop by Dr. James Doty https://a.co/d/9K1nFop is a moving memoir that blends neuroscience with heart-centered wisdom. It’s a powerful reminder of how tuning into our inner voice, setting clear intentions, and practicing self-compassion can help us navigate transitions and reclaim agency. A beautiful read on healing, presence, and the quiet power of belief.
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Event Panelist Bios:
Naomi Busch, MD Menopause Medicine Innis Arden Resident Naomi Busch is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP). She is also a board-certified Family Medicine physician. She graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University and then went on to Tufts Medical School in Boston. Dr Busch completed her Family Medicine Residency training at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. https://www.seattlemenopause.com/naomibuschmd Natassja Barnes, LMHC Sex Therapist I studied at Bastyr University and graduated in 2016 with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a focus of health psychology. I completed my twelve-month practicum at Seattle Therapy Alliance where I worked with women on a multitude of issues including anxiety, depression, body image, relationships, discrimination and other trauma experiences. I completed Antioch’s Sex Therapy Certification program in 2024. https://www.lakehousetherapy.com/new-page Roisin McGlynn, Certified Menopause Yoga Teacher I was born and raised in Ireland, emigrated to Canada in the 80s and to the U.S. in the 90s, I'm a Seattle-based yoga teacher**, community volunteer, nonprofit marketing consultant, and parent. I'm a certified in Menopause Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga and Hatha / Ayurveda Yoga through Yoga Alliance with over 500 hours of specialized training and teaching experience. Thanks to my teachers and the doors they have opened for me, I have facilitated yoga classes and workshops in studios, community settings (schools, jails, nonprofit boards) and online. https://www.meant-to-pause.com/about Carley Squires, ND A licensed Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist in Washington state and a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the American Academy of Regenerative Medicine, the advanced regenerative medicine institute, the Acupuncture Association of Washington, and the American Association of Restorative Medicine. https://www.neurovedahealth.com/squires |
Change is a constant in life, and some transitions—like menopause, shifting family roles, or reimagining our next steps—can feel easier when shared with others.
Interested in joining or learning more?
We’d love to hear from you!
Contact Us:
IAWC Chair: Amely Wurmbrand
IAC Activities Chair: Sarah Kennedy
IAWC Communications/Email: Deborah Rifkin
IAWC Scribe/Blog Coordinator: Heather Mathews
We’d love to hear from you!
Contact Us:
IAWC Chair: Amely Wurmbrand
IAC Activities Chair: Sarah Kennedy
IAWC Communications/Email: Deborah Rifkin
IAWC Scribe/Blog Coordinator: Heather Mathews
