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Member Spotlight: Annie Filer

Learn more about Kari’s WIF experience, including what inspires her about the Spark Committee.

Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? 

I was raised on a wheat farm in Kansas and earned my undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Kansas (Go Jayhawks!) and my MBA from Harvard Business School. These experiences launched what has now been a 14-year career at Deloitte Consulting.

My husband and I moved to Charlotte in 2018 with an 8-week-old baby. With only one friend in Charlotte at the time, I was eager to build community, and she connected me with WIF. Since then, we’ve been blessed to find an incredible community here and have grown our family to three children, now ranging from 15 months to 8 years old.

What makes our purpose or mission meaningful to you? 

I’m passionate about WIF’s mission to support our local community across such diverse needs. My giving used to have a narrower focus, but WIF has broadened my perspective on the importance of supporting a wide range of causes—ones that enrich our lives and help our neighbors thrive.

What energizes/motivates you? It can be anything from a quotation, a song, a person, workout routine, etc.

I’m constantly seeking out time with friends—both new and old—and I truly love connecting with new people. I’ve also recently discovered weightlifting, which was a big shift after being a lifelong distance runner. I’m loving how strong I’m starting to feel!

What are you the most excited about for this year?

Over the years, I’ve served on all but one of the grant committees, taking a brief break following the birth of my youngest child. I’m now excited to round out my experience by serving on that final committee.

What is your advice for making the most of membership in Women’s Impact Fund?

Get involved! You’ll get out of WIF what you put in. Serving on a Grants Committee is a fabulous opportunity to meet new friends, but also learn SO much about our community.

What is your favorite restaurant or activity in Charlotte?

My kids love being outside, so on a nice weekend you’ll typically find us at the Wildwoods playground at the Whitewater Center—chasing kids around, likely with a NoDa Brewery Lil Slurp in hand. For date nights without the kids, our favorite spot is Restaurant Constance. Chef Sam Diminich is a gem of a human who does so much for our local community while serving up some of the city’s best food. Highly recommend!

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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.