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Stories of Impact – SPARK!: Jessica Gibson

by Beverly Francis-Gibson

This Story of Impact highlights Jessica Gibson, a 2025 Spark Award Recipient. You can learn more about the Women’s Impact Fund Spark Awards here.

Jessica spent 15 years building a successful career in banking, yet deep inside, she felt overwhelmed and knew she was being called to something greater. Trusting her faith and intuition, she took a courageous leap away from the security of a steady job and stepped into the unknown. That decision ultimately led her to become the Founding Executive Director of Just Do It Movement Inc., a role she believes she was destined to fulfill.

Reflecting on her journey, Jessica shares, “I wrote a book, Child, Take That Leap, to encourage someone else to find their purpose in life.” Her story is a powerful reminder that purpose often begins where comfort ends, and that taking a chance on yourself can open doors to a life of greater meaning and impact.

While leading a nonprofit brought tremendous fulfillment, it also introduced a new kind of challenge. Jessica found herself pouring so much into serving others that her own well-being often took a back seat. When she learned she had been selected for a Spark Award, she immediately recognized it as an opportunity to invest in herself and prioritize the self-care she had long postponed.

Using a portion of the award, Jessica committed to a year of chiropractic care and massage therapy, giving herself the gift of restoration and renewal. She also celebrated her accomplishments with her very first five-day cruise to the Bahamas, an experience filled with joy, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.

Jessica has attended several events for Spark recipients and has enjoyed connecting with other inspiring women. As an entrepreneur, she especially values the social capital that comes with the award and appreciates how WIF creates opportunities for meaningful relationships and collaboration. While she is still exploring how best to engage within the network, she is excited about deepening those connections and becoming even more involved in the future.

Learn more about Jessica—and all the 2025 Spark Award Recipients—here.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn.

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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.