12 Weekend Events in Charlotte to Celebrate Black History Month By Meaghan Dunham Arena, WIF Staff Throughout February, the Queen City comes alive with events,
An Evening with Heart Recap By Cathia Friou Members and guests of WIF were treated to an evening with heart this week as part of
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
Wrapping Hispanic Heritage Month: A Look at Latino Volunteering Trends By Amy Yowell, Communications & Marketing Committee Latino is the largest ethnic group in the
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
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
Announcing Our Inaugural Spark Award Recipients! By Patricia Massey Hoke and Liana Humphrey Women’s Impact Fund is excited to announce our inaugural Spark Awards for
Stories of Impact: The Bulb By Karen Barton The Bulb is thrilled to have started a new market in East Charlotte at ourBRIDGE for KIDS,
New Research on Collective Giving Highlights Increasing Impact By Aimee Greeter The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, Philanthropy Together,
Stories of Impact: Latino Civic Engagement Program By Liana Humphrey, Spark Committee In 2017, fewer than one percent of the 43,000 registered Latino voters in
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.
