We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meg Ferrigno. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with meg below.

Alright, Meg thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

A defining moment for me came when I truly understood how period poverty is a crosscutting issue that affects health, education, economic stability, and social equity. Working in nonprofits, I often encountered the barriers people face due to lack of access to menstrual products, and I began to see how solving this one issue could improve so many areas of life. I realized that to tackle period poverty at scale, I needed a broader platform—one where the reach and impact could extend beyond what we were achieving in nonprofit circles.

This realization drove me to transition into the for-profit world, founding MoonPads with the vision that a sustainable business model could reach more people, more effectively, and faster. By creating affordable, eco-friendly menstrual products, I could advocate for change while also making a tangible difference for those experiencing period poverty. This shift in strategy, moving from nonprofit advocacy to sustainable business, taught me the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in solving systemic issues—proving that, with the right approach, for-profit models can drive meaningful social change.

Meg, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into this work started with a career in the nonprofit sector, where I spent years addressing development issues and advocating for gender equity. Over time, I saw how period poverty was a crosscutting issue that touches nearly every other social determinant—education, health, economic opportunity, and gender equity. The scale of the problem called for a shift in strategy to reach more people more effectively, so I decided to transition from nonprofit to for-profit work. This was a major pivot in my career, but it was one that allowed me to address period poverty at a systemic level and drive change through a sustainable business model.

I founded MoonPads, a B Corp that produces affordable, eco-friendly menstrual products designed to serve people who experience period poverty. My team and I work to provide planet-friendly alternatives, helping schools, workplaces, and institutions support menstrual health in ways that are good for both people and the planet. What sets MoonPads apart is our commitment to sustainable impact—offering solutions that are not only accessible and affordable but are also tailored to reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship. For example, we’ve developed partnerships with universities, providing options to stock our products, minimizing waste and focusing on long-term solutions.

I’m most proud of MoonPads’ role in creating lasting change in menstrual health and accessibility, especially through partnerships that reach communities and schools directly. We’ve helped shift perceptions about menstrual health, advocating for open access to menstrual products as a basic necessity rather than a luxury. For me, it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work is making a difference for people who may have previously gone without these essential products(like myself!), allowing them to live with dignity and participate fully in their communities.

For those looking to connect with MoonPads, I want you to know that we are driven by a mission to alleviate period poverty through practical, sustainable solutions. We’re committed to delivering products that empower individuals and promote equity, sustainability, and accessibility. MoonPads isn’t just a business; it’s a movement to ensure that menstrual health is a universal right, and we’re proud to work toward a future where no one is held back by a lack of access to period products.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that nonprofits are the ones making change. I had to learn that businesses can do good!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I think the best way to grow clientele has been by having an army of pad fairies, people who drop free product in bathrooms all over.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ourmoonpads.com
• Instagram: @ourmoonpads

Image Credits

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