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About Us

Our Team

Our Team

Janet LaBar

Executive Director

Shannan Younger

Membership & Operations Manager

Meaghan Dunham Arena

Communications & Engagement Coordinator

Board of Directors

Katherine Bunn

At Large

Courtnie coble

At Large

CAITLIN dONLEY

Incoming Finance Chair & Treasurer

Tamika Eubanks Spurlock

Grants Chair

WHITNEY FELD

Education Vice Chair

Blanca L. Gonzalez

At Large

ALISA GOVAN

Secretary

LIANA hUMPHREY

Spark Award Chair

Amy Hutch

Community Impact Chair

Allyson James

Community Impact Vice Chair

Kalie Koivisto

Membership Vice Chair

Talia Moody

Membership Chair

Kathleen O’Bannon

Governance Chair

Lakisha Rios

At Large

Erika Ross

Finance Chair & Treasurer

RACHEL SASSER

Grants Vice Chair

ANGELA sCHOLL

Incoming Board Chair

Andrea K. Smith

Member Education

Katie Susong

Board Chair

Connie Thomas

At Large

mary ware

At Large

Board of Directors

Katherine Bunn

Grants Vice Chair

Courtnie coble

At Large Director

CAITLIN dONLEY

Incoming Finance Chair & Treasurer

Tamika Eubanks Spurlock

Grants Chair

WHITNEY FELD

Education Vice Chair

Blanca L. Gonzalez

At Large Director

ALISA
GOVAN

Secretary

LIANA hUMPHREY

Spark Award Chair

Amy
Hutch

Community Impact Chair

Allyson James

Community Impact Vice Chair

Kalie Koivisto

Membership Vice Chair

Talia
Moody

Membership Chair

Kathleen O’Bannon

Governance Chair

Lakisha
Rios

At Large Director

Erika Ross

Incoming Finance Chair & Treasurer

RACHEL SASSER

Grants Vice Chair

Angela Scholl

At Large Director

Andrea K. Smith

Member Education

Katie Susong

Incoming Board Chair

Connie Thomas

At Large Director

mary ware

At Large Director

Board of Advisors

MARY LOU BABB

Founder

CLAIRE TATE

Founder

Judy Allison

DIANNE BAILEY

ROBIN BRANSTROM

ANNE ESSAYE

JILL FLYNN

TONI FREEMAN

MARY GALLIVAN

DR. JOAN LORDEN

ELAINE LYERLY

DEBORAH MAJEWSKI

CAROLYN MEADE

LISA MILLER

ARRINGTON MIXON

SONJA NICHOLS

PATTY NORMAN

SUSAN PATTERSON

ELLEN RANKIN

SALLY ROBINSON

RUTH SHAW

MATTYE SILVERMAN

JEANETTE SIMS

Chair

Nikki Jarrell

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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.

SHANNAN YOUNGER

Membership & Operations Manager
syounger@womensimpactfund.org

Shannan Younger earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!). She recently obtained a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, as well as the Google Project Management Career Certificate. Originally from Ohio, Shannan practiced law in Illinois before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. There, she has contributed as a writer, social media strategist, and project manager for mission-driven organizations.

Since 2020, Shannan has resided in Lake Norman with her husband and their dog, Quincy, a former research beagle. Her volunteer work includes advocating for global health initiatives through the U.N. Foundation and supporting local organizations focused on increasing food access. She enjoys traveling, both for international adventures and to visit her daughter, who is pursuing her master’s degree at UNC Chapel Hill. Fun fact: She has appeared on Jeopardy!

Meaghan Dunham Arena

Communications & Engagement Coordinator

Meaghan Dunham is the Administrative Coordinator for Women’s Impact Fund, as well as a small business owner in the Charlotte area. With 15 years of experience in public education, corporate marketing, and small business management, Meaghan is excited to bring her variety of skills to the Women’s Impact Fund. As an adult, Meaghan’s commitment to social justice and equity began when, as a public school teacher in rural North Carolina, she witnessed first-hand the struggles of her students and their families to secure even their most basic needs. Meaghan has volunteered with many organizations over the last 15 years, including social impact coffee companies, a start-up emotional intelligence organization, and the Charlotte affiliate of the Women’s March. In her spare time, Meaghan enjoys hiking, camping and supporting local organizations with her soon-to-be husband and their rescue pup.

Katherine Bunn

Grants Chair

Katherine Bunn joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2019 previously serving on the Strategic Planning, Grants and Finance Committees, including two years as a lead for Human Services Grants. Within the community, she serves as a board member for The Pines at Davidson. Katherine retired as a Managing Director from Bank of America, where she served in various roles within Leveraged Finance, Global Principal Investments Risk Management and Corporate Treasury.

Courtnie Coble

At Large Director​

Courtnie Coble is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Academy of Goal Achievers. She’s a 2024 Spark recipient and currently serves on the Spark committee. She’s been a member since 2024 and looking forward to serving many years to come.
She’s a Charlotte Ledger 40 over 40 and a QC Metro Great 28th recipient. Her Calling, Passion and Skillset is helping families and students Thrive in life and collaborative impact to create intentional change. She’s a graduate of Virginia State University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

CAITLIN dONLEY

Incoming Finance Chair & Treasurer

Caitlin Donley is the National Director of Development for the Solihten Institute, bringing over 15 years of nonprofit fundraising experience. She has worked with local nonprofits including Safe Alliance, The Relatives, the Humane Society of Charlotte, Levine Museum of the New South, and UNC Charlotte. Caitlin is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), past president and active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Charlotte Chapter, and an active member on the WIF Finance Committee.

Tamika Eubanks Spurlock

Grants Vice Chair

Tamika Eubanks Spurlock joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2019. Serving on the Grant Committee, she co-led the Human Services grants subcommittee for two years. A native of Charlotte, she has a sincere commitment to the community also serving on the Stewardship Committee for Planned Parenthood of Central Carolinas. Tamika is a Program Management Executive within Global Operations Business Controls, Remediation and Regulatory Engagement team at Bank of America.

WHITNEY FELD

Education Vice Chair

Whitney Feld currently serves as the President of the Bissell Ballantyne Legacy Foundation, a private family foundation started by Smoky and Margaret Bissell. Previously, Feld worked in regulatory relations at Wells Fargo supporting the Strategy, Digital, & Innovation teams. Prior to her role at Wells Fargo, Feld spent six years at Foundation for the Carolinas (FFTC). At FFTC, she led the Center for Personal Philanthropy, Planned Giving, and Family Office Partners divisions. During her tenure at FFTC, Feld served as the dedicated relationship manager for FFTC’s most complex family and foundation relationships and advised clients on current gifting strategies, legacy planning, multi-generational family engagement, and succession planning. Feld excelled in helping her clients identify and achieve their social impact objectives and remains an avid champion of this region’s nonprofit sector serving on several nonprofit boards, which currently include Davidson Day School and the Davidson Farmer’s Market.
She began her career at a Title I school in Brooklyn, New York where she taught Special Education. Feld received her undergraduate degree from Miami University. In 2014, her alma mater selected her for the “18 of the last 9” award, which highlights graduates who are living the values inherent in a Miami University education. Feld also holds a master’s degree in education from Pace University and a Juris Doctorate from the Charleston School of Law. She is licensed to practice in North Carolina.

Blanca L. Gonzalez

At Large Director

Blanca L. Gonzalez joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2023 after spending 13 years in three Junior League chapters serving in various leadership roles including Active-At-Large director for the London Chapter. Blanca is an executive director in the Commercial Real Estate division of Wells Fargo where she oversees the junior talent of the capital markets businesses.  She’s also actively engaged in driving strategic DEI and engagement initiatives through roles in business-led councils and employee resource networks, having served as the enterprise Vice President for the Women’s Network and advisor to the Hispanic and Latino Network. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in the community, trying new restaurants and traveling.

ALISA GOVAN

Secretary

Alisa Govan joined the Women’s Impact Fund in 2018 and has been a dedicated and purpose-driven member ever since. Her contributions span multiple committees, most recently the Arts and Culture Grants Committee. With a collaborative leadership style and a passion for inclusive philanthropy, Alisa brings strategic vision and compassion to every role she serves.
Alisa is the founder and CEO of Professional Help Desk (PHD), a leadership and executive support firm dedicated to empowering women, strengthening teams, and building equitable workplaces. With over 30 years of experience as a senior executive in corporate America, she is a trusted human capital strategist, certified executive coach, and experienced workshop facilitator in organizational development and transformation.
Alisa is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals entering corporate spaces. She offers personalized coaching and development support to early-career women as they navigate the workforce and grow as leaders. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). She also remains active in programs throughout the Charlotte area that focus on leadership development for women and the next generation of changemakers.
As Secretary of the Women’s Impact Fund Board, Alisa supports the organization’s governance, communication, and operational alignment with a steadfast belief: when women lead, communities thrive.

LIANA hUMPHREY

Spark Award Chair

Liana Humphrey joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2016 and has previously served on the Arts & Culture Grants Team, Communications and Marketing Committee, Spark Committee, and Board of Directors. She volunteers with her church (First Presbyterian), Porch Productions youth theatre company, and coaches her son’s Odyssey of the Mind team. Liana is the Director of Strategic Planning at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont.

Amy Hutch

Community Impact Vice Chair

Amy Hutch joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2019 and served on the Health Grants Committee, the Education Committee and the Community Impact Committee.  Amy is vice president of distribution at Vitalant, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapy organizations.  She enjoys exploring new places with her husband and twin sons.

Allyson James

Community Impact Vice Chair

Allyson joined the Women’s Impact Fund in 2023 serving on the Community Impact Committee since joining. In addition to WIF, Allyson has served as a volunteer youth mentor for Promise Youth Development, a local nonprofit, for the past 7 years. She works on the Philanthropy and Community Impact team at Wells Fargo. Outside of her philanthropic activities, she loves trying new restaurants in the area, and spending time with her two nephews, her fur baby Marley, and with family and friends.

Kalie Koivisto

Membership Vice Chair

Kalie has been a member of Women’s Impact Fund since 2018, serving on the Events & Logistics team before her time on the Membership committee. She is also a leader in her chapter of Together Women Rise and actively serves on the planning committee for the Duke Mansion Preservation Society. Kalie has been a top-producing realtor with Cottingham Chalk for the last eight years; prior to that she held executive roles at Maersk Line and XPO Logistics. A Charlottean since 2003 she loves the area and everything WIF does to make it even better!

Talia Moody

Membership Vice Chair

Talia Moody joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2022 and served on the Membership Committee since initially joining WIF. Talia is a vice president in Private Banking at Brown Brothers Harriman, where she manages investment portfolios and provides advice to families on preserving, growing, and transferring wealth to future generations. Talia loves all things Clemson, trying new restaurants in Charlotte, traveling, and engaging in some (friendly!) competition.

Kathleen O’Bannon

Governance Chair

Kathleen O’Bannon joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2007. Her commitment began with the Grants Committee serving on the Grants Education Team, after which she served on the Board as Grants Committee Chair. Other committee assignments include Membership, Governance, and Spark.  Professionally, she served as Development Director for CrossRoads Corporation, leading the fundraising for the renovated Grier Heights Community Center. Today, Kathleen is a member of the Outreach Team at Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Elder) and spends her leisure time traveling and enjoying grandchildren.

Lakisha Rios

At Large Director

Lakisha Rios joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2022 and worked on the Member Education Committee within Lunch & Learn programming and the Community Impact Committee. Prior to joining Leadership Charlotte, Lakisha was an Adjunct Instructor at UNCC where she led a collaborative innovation lab in partnership with Novant and Johnson C. Smith University. This fellowship allowed Black and Latinx students from both institutions to develop innovative solutions to improve retention rates for both campuses and provide solutions for various departments across Novant. Lakisha continues to share her passion for engagement, community, leadership development, and the arts through her service to various local nonprofit organizations. In her spare time, Lakisha performs with Shae Movement African Arts Dance company. She is most proud of raising 2 teenage boys with her husband Federico.

Erika Ross

Finance Chair & Treasurer

Erika Ross joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2018 previously serving on the Human Services and Education Grants teams, including 2 years as a team co-lead. She graduated from Furman University and has a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Erika is a Compensation Executive at Bank of America, managing the global pay equity process.

RACHEL SASSER

Grants Vice Chair

Rachel Sasser joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2021 and has served on the Grants Committee every year since joining in the areas of Education and Arts & Culture. For the past 2 years she has led the Education Grants team. Rachel is the Head of Brand Marketing at Second Nature Brands, a snacks and treats consumer packaged goods company. She loves travelling and experiencing live music with her husband, daughter and son.111

ANGELA sCHOLL

Incoming Board Chair

Angela Scholl joined the Women’s Impact Fund in 2016. She previously served on the Board of Directors, leading the Community Impact Committee and contributing as an At-Large Member. She also volunteered on the Membership and Grants Committees. Her prior community involvement includes board roles with the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Junior League of Charlotte, and the Arts & Science Council’s Young Donor Society Steering Committee. She holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, completed the Arts & Science Council Cultural Leadership Training (CLT) program, and received a United States President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2012. Angela is Senior Vice President in Digital Sales and Marketing at Truist. She’s a mom of two teenagers and enjoys food, travel, and spending time with her husband, Josh, and their two pups.

ANDREA K. SMITH

Member Education Vice Chair

Andrea K. Smith joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2019 and has been on Women LEAD programming within the Member Education Committee for 3 years, serving as co-chair of Women LEAD for two of those years. Andrea is a Banker in J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank and serves as the Southeast Chair of J.P. Morgan’s Volunteer Leadership Group. She has a one year old daughter and two rescue pups.

Katie Susong

Board Chair

Katie Susong joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2014 and previously served as Events & Logistics Chair, Audit Chair, Treasurer, and a member of various committees. She works in derivative accounting and financial reporting at Wells Fargo. Katie is passionate about community engagement and service. She is happiest playing with her kids or traveling with her husband.

Connie Thomas

Communications & Marketing Vice Chair

Connie Thomas joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2023, shortly after moving to the Charlotte area from Louisville, Kentucky. While in Louisville, Connie served for four years on the Board of Impact100 Louisville, a women’s collective giving group like WIF, in various roles including co-chairing the Marketing Communications Committee and leading the conversion to a membership management system. She served on the Member Education LEAD committee and Human Services Grant committee. Connie lives on Lake Norman with her husband, daughter, and their two Bernese Mountain dogs.

mary ware

At Large Director

Mary Ware joined WIF in 2011. Mary served on the Grants Team for all five program areas and on Member Education, Membership and Governance Committees. Mary is a native Charlottean and loves supporting women-led organizations such as the Junior League of Charlotte and Good Friends Charlotte. Mary is a Senior Wealth Advisor & Managing Partner with Carnegie Private Wealth, a locally owned Wealth Management firm. When Mary isn’t putting the fun in financial planning she enjoys spending time with her husband, Luke, daughter, Mary Lauren, son, Miles and French bulldog, Junie B. She loves Mahj-yong, yoga, cheering on the Tar Heels and Charlotte sports teams.

Katherine Mooring

At Large Director

Katherine Mooring joined Women’s Impact Fund in 2014 and is a past chair of the Member Education Committee. She previously served on the Board of Community Building Initiative, co-chairing the organization’s 20th Anniversary Committee and three annual Stakeholder Breakfasts. In 2021, after 19 years with the Arts & Science Council, Katherine founded MOKA Partners to support nonprofit organizations through project management, program design and delivery, and leadership/board development. Katherine, and her husband, Flynn are also avid travelers and love to cook (and eat)!