Author name: Meaghan Dunham

Stories of Impact: Independent Picture House

Stories of Impact: Independent Picture House As Charlotte’s only nonprofit arthouse cinema, The Independent Picture House (IPH) exists to educate, engage, and enable our community through the power of film. In 2025, that mission has been reflected in both attendance and impact.  IPH has welcomed 45,000+ ticketed attendees and now serves 1,474 active members, including 311

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Supporting Charlotte Families in Need

Supporting Charlotte Families in Need by Meaghan Dunham Arena, Communications & Engagement Coordinator Recent events in our community — from heightened concerns among immigrant families to the temporary pause in federal benefits — have spotlighted the urgent need for mutual aid and local support, especially as we approach the holidays. Here’s how Women’s Impact Fund

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Rising Together: How Juliana Lozano and Despierta Are Transforming Mental Health and Empowering Latina Women

Rising Together: How Juliana Lozano and Despierta Are Transforming Mental Health and Empowering Latina Women When Juliana Lozano founded Despierta — which means Rise Up in Spanish — she wasn’t just building an organization. She was building what she once needed herself: a community that sees, supports, and uplifts the mental and emotional well-being of Charlotte’s

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Stories of Impact: NC Wildlife Federation

Stories of Impact: NC Wildlife Federation By Kate Greiner, VP Philanthropy and Communications, NCWF Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary, a splendid 24-acre site along Briar Creek, is just minutes from uptown Charlotte. This lush pollinator meadow provides a vital habitat where birds—from warblers to herons—along with bees, butterflies, and small mammals can find food, water, shelter, and

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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.