Recap: River and Root: Understanding Charlotte’s Treasures By Srujana Kanchibhotla, Communications & Marketing Committee As we greet the crisp embrace of fall, we’re excited to recap our recent event celebrating the beauty of nature while emphasizing the importance of our local water resources as we set off to appreciate Freedom Park in all its autumn […]
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Wrapping Hispanic Heritage Month: A Look at Latino Volunteering Trends By Amy Yowell, Communications & Marketing Committee Latino is the largest ethnic group in the US but has the least amount of active participation in volunteering efforts according to data collected by Americorp. Why is volunteering so low within this community and what are the
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Hurricane Helene Relief and Humanitarian Aid By Patricia Massey Hoke, Executive Director We are devastated by the tragedy Hurricane Helene brought to western North Carolina on Friday, September 27. I, like many of you, have family and friends in that area. If you are looking for ways to support please consider: *Please note: This blog
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2023-2024 Member Survey Summary By Katie Susong, Board Chair Thank you to all who were able to fill out our 2023-2024 Member Survey, as it is used as a tool for the upcoming year. You can find the survey results, below. 100% of those responding: 97% felt welcomed at events 93% Learned something new about a social issue,
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Recap: Our Inaugural Member Social Salon by Cathia Friou WIF’s first salon experience on 9/24 was a booming success! After an informative presentation by the League of Women Voters, the evening turned into a robust discussion with comments and questions from the women who gathered. Mary Condon and Sara Baysinger of the non-partisan LWV spoke
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Member Spotlight: Mary Behler By Kate Jostworth Mary shares what she’s most looking forward to in our 20th anniversary year. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? Hi! I’m Mary Behler. I moved back to North Carolina two and a half years ago and am SO glad
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Stories of Impact: Community Impact Committee By Karen Barton One of the most important parts of WIF is our relationship with our nonprofit partners (NPPs). This effort is spearheaded by the Community Impact Committee (CIC), which works diligently with NPPs in their active grant years to be the voice of the NPP within WIF. This
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Member Spotlight: Joelle Dugue By Kate Jostworth Joelle Dugue shares advice on making the most out of WIF by knowing your WHY and what makes WIF special to her. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? I am Joelle Dugue from Brooklyn, NYC. I am a first-generation Haitian
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Stories of Impact: Planned Parenthood By Marcie Shealy Women, men, and young people rely on Planned Parenthood for accessible, affordable quality healthcare, accurate information, and comprehensive health education in a setting that preserves and protects the individual’s right to privacy. The goal is to ensure informed decision-making. Our shared belief is that everyone who walks
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What A Year! See What the 20th Anniversary Held for WIF! By Fielding Williams In the 2023-2024 program year, Women’s Impact Fund celebrated our 20th Anniversary and surpassed $8 million in total grants given to local nonprofits. To honor this milestone, we held special events, made a one-time grant from our operating reserve, and launched the
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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.
