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Reflecting on 20 Years: Women’s Impact Fund

By Fielding Williams and Meaghan Dunham Arena

Can you believe it? Just five months ago, we wrapped up the 20th anniversary celebration of the Women’s Impact Fund! This milestone was not just a celebration of two decades of impactful philanthropy but also a powerful reminder of the community we’ve built together here in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As we reflect on this journey since June, we are thrilled to share some of the ways our members and the broader community have continued to engage, learn, and give back.

Highlights from the Past Five Months:

  1. Spark Awards
    Our Spark Awards recognized innovative ideas and extraordinary efforts by women driving change in Mecklenburg County.
  2. Member Engagement
    Over 150 members stepped up to join committees, bringing fresh ideas and energy to our mission.
  3. Nonprofit Grant Applications
    A record-breaking 160 nonprofit organizations submitted grant applications, showcasing the diverse and urgent needs within our community.
  4. Member Socials
    We hosted three engaging member socials, introducing a new format called the “Salon” Social. These gatherings provided meaningful opportunities for members to connect, share experiences, and build relationships.
  5. Educational Events
    We prioritized learning through:
    1. October and November Lunch & Learns: Focused on critical topics like the local environment and tree canopy and the recent Medicaid expansion in North Carolina.
    2. Social Hour for Social Issues: A thought-provoking dive into “Health & Wholehearted Living” with Jonathan Fisher and a panel of local experts, creating a space for deep dialogue and reflection about women’s mental health.

Looking Ahead:

The excitement doesn’t stop here! We have a full calendar of events planned for the winter and spring, offering more opportunities to educate yourself on pressing issues that impact our community, engage with fellow members, form meaningful connections, and empower nonprofits through your time, talent, and treasure.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Sign up for upcoming events on our website! Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact in Charlotte and beyond. Here’s to the next 20 years of inspiration, growth, and philanthropy!

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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.