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The Member Education Lunch & Learn committee hosted its final event – The Power of Storytelling. The event came about after the committee discussed how great it would be to hear stories of impact from organizations that have benefited from WIF support.

Hannah Hasan, a local artist, and poet opened the event by sharing a medical study that linked storytelling to the human heart. When we experience each other’s stories, in community together, our heartbeats sync up. That’s the power of community and storytelling,” said Hannah.

She then shared her account of 10 cast members on set for I AM Queen Charlotte. Five adult women represented the historical figures of Charlotte. Five young girls sat at their feet. The director asked the actors to switch places. They didn’t understand why but they did it. At that moment, a young girl proclaimed her vision of one day being an adult with future generations at her feet. It ultimately compelled her to continue acting and be a role model for young people. Hannah realized how much tomorrow matters. That was a moment that fueled her “why” for storytelling.  

Natalie Allen, Founder and CEO of The Arts Empowerment Project, shared her story about a phone call she received from Valencia, a former culinary program participant. Natalie remembered Valencia, as a foster child and introvert. The Valencia Natalie spoke with that day was confident, exuberant, and now the owner of a catering company. Valencia expressed her gratitude and shared the impact Natalie had on her life. Natalie was reminded of her “why”. Months later, the organization was rewarded with Arts & Culture funding from WIF.

Jewel Hayden, Founder of Project Bolt shared her “why”, which dated back to October 29, 2018. 16-year-old Bobby McKeithan was shot at Butler High School. As a graduate of CMS schools, with children in CMS, Jewel felt compelled to get involved.

She conducted interviews and focus groups about school violence. She discovered many students were dealing with depression, bullying and felt an immense lack of support. As a result, Jewel led a public town hall to give students a platform for sharing their experiences. The town hall resulted in CMS funding allocations for school counselors and mental health resources. Jewel never thought she’d make an impact in that manner. She closed by asking attendees, “What is your why?”.

Storytelling In Action

The final portion of the event consisted of an exercise led by Hannah Hasan. Attendees took to their journals to record their own moments of impact. Moments of impact are the moments and/or events that jolt us emotionally, and physically and propel us to action. “Things happen to and through us to ultimately create change”, said Hasan.

Attendees shared some of their examples. The event concluded with an invitation to continue the storytelling journey on Thursday, May 18 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at ArchiveCLT.

You can also watch the recording of this event here on our Vimeo page.

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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.