Stories of Impact: Heart Math Tutoring By Mary Lauren Bishop, Heart Math Tutoring Director of Development The Community Impact Committee recently contacted Charlotte’s Director of Development at Heart Math Tutoring, Mary Lauren Bishop, who shared stories of their success with Charlotte area students. “Will,” a second-grade student, was paired with “Mark,” a tutor who identified […]
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Black America and the Arts: The Impact of Black and African Americans on Visual Arts, Music, Cultural Movements, and More in Charlotte By Kristin Keen Black and African Americans have played a profound and influential role in shaping the cultural landscape of Charlotte and the surrounding region, leaving an indelible mark on visual arts, music,
Lunch & Learn: Education in Charlotte By Leslie Cramer The Women’s Impact Fund hosted a Lunch & Learn on Feb 7 moderated by Lakeisha Rios on the topic of education in Charlotte from the lens of resources and support necessary in our community. The contributing panelists included Emily Gaffney from Heart Math Tutoring, Kellie Cartwright
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How To Guide for our Membership Portal By Fielding Williams In September, we unveiled a brand new website design, accompanied by a transition to a new customer relationship management (CRM) software. This platform now manages member profiles, memberships, and event information more efficiently compared to our previous software. If you haven’t signed into your profile
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Engaging in Charlotte’s Black History Month Activities By Virginia Reid Need some suggestions to help immerse yourself in Black History Month celebrations and contribute to fostering a more inclusive community? Visit Local Museums and Exhibits Attend Virtual or Local Events Support Black-Owned Businesses Volunteer for Community Initiatives Read and Share Black Literature Educate Yourself and
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Member Spotlight: Paula Moss By Kate Jostworth Let’s meet Paula Moss whose view on how to use committees to expand your horizons might just inspire you for the committee selections for next year. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? For my paying job, I work for
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Stories of Impact: ArtPop Street Gallery By Giggi Egge On December 7, 2023, ArtPop Street Gallery held its Cities Program Reveal event at Le Méridien uptown. Click here to see one of our WIF at Large Directors, April Whitlock, introducing the artists. This event inaugurated the Charlotte Region Cities Program Class of 2024, which includes nineteen adults and one
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Empowering Positive Change: The King Center and Nonviolence 365 By Leslie Cramer In 1968, Mrs. Coretta Scott King founded The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, a living memorial dedicated to preserving and advancing Dr. King’s legacy. For over 50 years, the center has served as a global destination, resource hub, and
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How Charlotte is Celebrating MLK’s Legacy This Year By Kristin Keen As the Queen City gears up to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 15, 2024, the city is abuzz with a myriad of events that honor his timeless message of equality, justice, and unity. This
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Member Spotlight: Paula Goolkasian By Kate Jostworth Paula Goolkasian’s perspective on how WIF’s mission overcomes the challenges of deciding on local nonprofits to support is a perfect way to kickstart our January 2024 Member Connection. Can you provide a brief background on yourself for those who do not know you? I am a professor emeritus
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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.
