Stories of Impact: Despierta By Emily Skidmore, Community Impact Committee, Relationship Manager Despierta is a nonprofit in Charlotte, North Carolina, dedicated to empowering Latina youth and women through mental health programs, workshops, and leadership opportunities. Through their signature youth program, Bonita Rising, they work with students across seven Title I schools, helping young women build […]
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Member Spotlight: Jessica Freely By Meaghan Dunham Arena Learn more about how Jessica resonates with the mission of WIF, and why she decided to join! Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? As a Midwesterner from Des Moines, Iowa, I’m someone who believes in rolling up my
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The Soul of Philanthropy: A Conversation with Valaida Fullwood by Meaghan Dunham Arena When author and changemaker Valaida Fullwood began co-creating the award-winning book Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists in 2007 with photographer Charles Thomas, she envisioned more than a coffee-table collection of stories and portraits. From the beginning, she
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Member Spotlight: Beverley Francis-Gibson By Aimee Greeter Hear Beverley’s advice for how to make the most out of Women’s Impact Fund membership. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? I am a wife, mother of three adult women and new grandmother to my grandson, Atlas. I was
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Celebrating Pride and Purpose: Spotlight on Time Out Youth by Srujana Kanchibhotla With Pride Month upon us, there is no better moment to spotlight one of this year’s inspiring grant semi-finalists – Time Out Youth! Nestled in a welcoming one-story building on Monroe Road, just outside of Cotswold, Time Out Youth is a vibrant community
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Member Spotlight: Nikki Jarrell By Aimee Greeter Learn more about Nikki Jarrell, our Past Board Chair, and what she calls the “multiplier effect”. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? I was born in Houston, Texas, but grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta. After college, I ventured north
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Celebrating a Month of Connection and Momentum: May 2025 Events Recap May was a meaningful and energizing month for Women’s Impact Fund as we closed out our fiscal year with exciting events that celebrated our accomplishments and welcomed the next wave of member engagement. We kicked off the month on a high note with our
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Announcing Our 2025 Spark Award Recipients! By Katherine Mooring and Meaghan Dunham Arena WIF’s reimagined Spark Awards for Rest & Renewal honor community leaders who serve on the front lines of social change—often carrying the emotional weight of the communities they support. These awards are more than just recognition; they are a call to pause, replenish, and feel
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Women’s Impact Fund Hosts Sold-Out 2025 Annual Meeting by Aimee Greeter, Communications Committee On May 6, the Women’s Impact Fund (WIF) celebrated another successful year at the Annual Meeting, an event that sold out for the second year in a row. Held at The Union at Station West, the evening brought together WIF members, guests,
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Stories of Impact: CLT is Creative By Meaghan Dunham Arena, Communications & Engagement Coordinator At Women’s Impact Fund, we believe in the power of ideas and, more importantly, in the people behind them. That’s why we were proud of all the amazing grant recipients we have the honor of supporting — and spotlighting! — each
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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.
