Blog

2025

Stories of Impact: The Relatives

Stories of Impact: The Relatives This Story of Impact highlights The Relatives, a Women’s Impact Fund grantee. The Relatives’ vision is to be a Relative

2025

Stories of Impact: Independent Picture House

Stories of Impact: Independent Picture House As Charlotte’s only nonprofit arthouse cinema, The Independent Picture House (IPH) exists to educate, engage, and enable our community

2025

Member Spotlight: Melissa Hovey

Member Spotlight: Melissa Hovey By Meaghan Dunham Arena Learn more about the the thing Melissa loves most about our city! Can you provide a brief

2025

Stories of Impact: Arts+

Stories of Impact: Arts+ Arts+ was founded as Community School of the Arts in 1969 by Henry Bridges, the organist and choir director of the First

2025

Member Spotlight: Meenu Mahajan

Member Spotlight: Meenu Mahajan By Meaghan Dunham Arena Learn more about the book that has energized Meenu and motivated her over the years! Can you

2025

Stories of Impact: NC Wildlife Federation

Stories of Impact: NC Wildlife Federation By Kate Greiner, VP Philanthropy and Communications, NCWF Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary, a splendid 24-acre site along Briar Creek, is

2025

Member Spotlight: Ana Silva Rey

Member Spotlight: Ana Silva Rey By Meaghan Dunham Arena Learn more about how Ana resonates with the mission of WIF, and why she decided to

2025

Stories of Impact: Despierta

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

2025

Member Spotlight: Jessica Freely

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!

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Janet LaBar

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.