Charlotte Regional Business Alliance President and CEO Janet LaBar has been named one of the five leaders in Charlotte to watch in 2022 by the Charlotte Observer.
The Observer, which published the list to kick off the new year, selected five people in Charlotte who, according to the criteria, “need to lead major change or make big moves in 2022 with their organizations.”
The leaders can positively affect the quality of life in the Charlotte Region– from public health to the economy, and from professional sports and entertainment to law enforcement.
The CLT Alliance is the only regional economic development organization that grows the economy, advocates for business, and convenes diverse stakeholders for Charlotte and 15 counties across the Carolinas.
As head of the region’s leading economic development organization, LaBar will be up front during Charlotte’s continued business recovery amid a lingering pandemic.
“Together, hard work, resilience, and healing have strengthened and energized this community,” LaBar said. “We’re ready for 2022. Our strategies around business, people, and place are anchored in advancing equitable growth, and ensuring that the Charlotte Region is competitive for the businesses and the talent that will drive and shape our future.”
At the Annual Outlook summit in December, some of the top CEOs in the region said supply chain shortages and a tough labor market could make recovery difficult.
LaBar said she remains optimistic, pointing to the $2.9 billion in economic development announcements of 2021 and the bullish economic trends across the Charlotte Region in the midst of the pandemic.
LaBar is also co-leading the corporate response team for Mayor Vi Lyles’ Racial Equity Initiative, which has announced a $250 million goal to address decades of laws and policies that disadvantaged Black and brown residents.
The other members of the Charlotte Observer’s list include: Johnny Jennings, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Chief of Police; Bill Rogers, CEO of Truist; David Tepper, Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC Owner; and Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director.
Read the full article in the Charlotte Observer to learn more about the leaders to watch this year.
