Staff Spotlight: Shannan Younger In this short blog post, we’re getting to know our new Membership & Operations Manager, Shannan Younger. Read along to learn more about Shannan; including the sweet Valentine’s Day gift her husband gave to her this year! Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know […]
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April Highlights: Celebrating Milestones, Making Connections, and Honoring Impact April 2025 was a month of celebration, connection, and heartfelt goodbyes at Women’s Impact Fund. From honoring long-time members to gathering with fellow changemakers in the community, each event this month reminded us of the strength and generosity of the women in our network. Honoring 5
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Stories of Impact: Carolinas CARE Partnership by Meaghan Dunham Arena Carolinas CARE Partnership (CCP), a 2024 Women’s Impact Fund grant recipient, has been busy making impactful changes over the last year. From a successful office relocation to preparing for a major community event, CCP continues to expand its reach and deepen its services. Progress and Transformation
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Stories of Impact: Camino Health Center by Meaghan Dunham Arena When Camino Health Center (CHC) received a 2024 Women’s Impact Fund grant, they were already laying the groundwork for something big. Less than a year later, CHC has transformed that support into expanded services, greater accessibility, and deeper community impact. Expanding Care, Building Capacity The WIF
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Women LEAD 2025: Empowering Women to Shape Wealth, Giving, and Legacy By Whitney Feld Women’s Impact Fund recently wrapped up our annual transformative three-part series, Women LEAD. This year’s focus was on empowering women to shape their financial futures, redefine the role of philanthropy, and build legacies that will endure for generations. Each session brought together influential speakers
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Women LEAD #2: Redefining Wealth: Women Leading with Purpose and Passion By: Anna Grace Hawkins This year’s second Women LEAD session focused on Redefining Wealth: Women Leading with Purpose and Passion. The discussion was centered around the role of philanthropy within wealth conversations. Katie Lyman, Senior Philanthropy Advisory with JP Morgan Private Bank lead the
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Staff Spotlight: Fielding Williams Hear from our very own Fielding Williams about what she’s most excited for in her retirement! Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? Born and raised in North Carolina, my barefoot childhood was spent roaming free in Beaufort, pedaling my yellow banana seat
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Stories of Impact: Freedom Communities by Barbara Holt Freedom Communities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to disrupting the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the Freedom Drive Corridor of West Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 2018, their mission centers on “family-centered community transformation,” focusing on three key areas: family stability, affordable housing, and early education. A
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Moving Forward Together: A Profile of Charlotte Storyteller, Hannah Hasan by Cathia Friou Women’s History Month, observed every March since 1987, is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. This year’s theme is “Moving Forward Together,” and it is a delight to spotlight master storyteller, spoken word poet, and playwright, Hannah Hasan.
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Stories of Impact: The Learning Collaborative by Laura Boorman Truesdale The Learning Collaborative (TLC) is the 2024 WIF Education Grants partner and an inspiring example of the incredible impact that access to excellent early education can have on children and families in the Charlotte community. Founded in 1987, TLC is Five-Star licensed and the only
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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.
