Founders Fund Investment Strategy By Lea Fitzpatrick In the spring of 2024, as the Women’s Impact Fund (WIF) celebrated its 20th Anniversary, we proudly launched the Founders Fund, securing the future of our mission and honoring the vision of our founders, Mary Lou Babb and Claire Tate. The Babb family’s generous $100,000 initial gift allowed […]
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Spotlight on Charlotte’s Local News: Insights from Our January 2025 Salon Meeting By Cathia Friou On the evening of January 14, 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting our second Salon Social at the lovely home of one of our members. The evening featured an enlightening conversation with two prominent figures in Charlotte’s media landscape:
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Recap: A Festive Finale for 2024 By Kristin Keen On December 4, WIF members and friends came together at LoSo’s Thousand Hills Coffee event space to raise a glass (of wine and mashed potatoes) for the 2024 holiday season. Among the highlights were Q&A mixer activities, opportunity to write cards of encouragement supporting our Western North Carolina neighbors impacted by
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Lunch & Learn: Understanding Medicaid Expansion and Transformation in NC By Srujana Kanchibhotla In our November 7, 2024, Lunch & Learn: Understanding Medicaid Expansion and Transformation in NC, we were joined by a powerhouse panel featuring Dr. Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, Executive Vice President of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust; Madison Allen, Senior Program Officer at
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Member Spotlight: Varsha Mathur by Fielding Williams Varsha shares what motivates her to achieve her own goals! Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you?I am a virtual relationship and dating coach and help singles and couples find and keep healthy, passionate and happy relationships. It is especially
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Reflecting on 20 Years: Women’s Impact Fund By Fielding Williams and Meaghan Dunham Arena Can you believe it? Just five months ago, we wrapped up the 20th anniversary celebration of the Women’s Impact Fund! This milestone was not just a celebration of two decades of impactful philanthropy but also a powerful reminder of the community
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Stories of Impact: DigiBridge By Gigi Egge 2024 WIF grantee Digi-Bridge is focused on promoting science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) learning among students in underrepresented communities. Since 2014, they have provided hands-on STEAM experiences to more than 20,000 CMS K through 8th grade students, primarily from Title 1 schools. On October 3, Digi-Bridge kicked off their
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Recap: An Evening at The Penguin By Zoë Playe On Thursday, November 14, members gathered at the old-new Penguin Drive-In on East Blvd for a night of fun and festivities. The smiles and conversations were fantastic. Over 20 women showed up, including a number of new members who left the evening feeling inspired and excited
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Member Spotlight: Lakisha Rios by Fielding Williams Lakisha shares her mantra for the last 2 years and how just being you can make an impact. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you?I was born and raised in Queens, NY and have lived in Charlotte with my husband
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Stories of Impact: JazzArts Charlotte By JazzArts Charlotte JazzArts Charlotte, founded in 2009 by Lonnie Davis, is the premier jazz organization in the Carolinas. JazzArts’ mission is to connect the cultural community and develop an audience for jazz through quality education, performance excellence, and musician support. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, JazzArts has flourished into one
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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.
