Anne White, Founder and CEO of Impact Lab, is a dynamic speaker, fractional Chief Operating Officer, and Chief People Officer with over 20 years of leadership experience across public and private sectors. She specializes in optimizing operations, developing high-performing teams, and driving transformative change. Through her coaching, consulting, and speaking engagements, Anne empowers organizations to build strong cultures, scale effectively, and achieve lasting impact. A proud mother of two adult children with rising careers in the arts, she brings a deep understanding of leadership, creativity, and resilience.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
As the child of a career military professional, I grew up in several different places. I was born in Rochester, Minnesota, then spent four years in Japan from ages two to six. I attended six different elementary schools in five years and really learned to love that sense of starting over in a new environment. My siblings and I were constantly making new friends—from Louisiana to Mississippi to Texas—and grew up in a time when play was truly valued, which allowed our imaginations to flourish.
I was fortunate to have two very loving parents who encouraged us to be independent and had high expectations of us. I attended college first in San Antonio, TX, then moved to Washington, DC, where I studied at American University. It was a gift to attend college in such a rich, multicultural environment with students from around the world. I worked full-time at the university while attending school and considered law school before ultimately leaping into the hospitality industry to kick off my career.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say, “YES, go for it!”
I founded Impact Lab because my purpose is to help organizations and individuals drive outcomes that deepen their impact on those they serve. My passion lies at the intersection of Client Services, Communication, Operations, and People Strategy. I wanted to leverage my experience in both nonprofit and global corporate spaces to create cultures of connection and excellence that optimize performance.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would love to see a world in which our workplaces foster cultures of connection—born of curiosity, empathy, and a drive for excellence—where all people feel a sense of belonging that empowers them to do their best work and show up as their best selves, allowing them to make the greatest positive impact on others.
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space at the top. What are your thoughts about women in leadership today?
We have always had incredible women leaders throughout history who have served as role models for those coming up behind them—both men and women. That remains equally true today. Research shows that companies with women in leadership outperform those with only male leadership, proving that our contributions matter in a very measurable way.
It’s important for women in leadership to invest in other women—whether through financial support, mentorship, or building a pipeline of future leaders—so that young girls today are aware of their opportunities and can prepare for the futures they dream about.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Everyone matters. Make sure you tell them and show them.
As a personal motto: “Show Up for People”—in ways big and small, whenever you can, however you can.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as a role model for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you like to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Have a vision for your future. It doesn’t mean the vision can’t change, but knowing where you want to go is the first step in charting a course to get there. Build and nurture a strong network based on trust and support. Be clear about your values and stay true to them.
When you fall down—and you will—know that you are not alone and that every challenge is preparing you for the next step in your journey. You are remarkable, and the world needs what you have to offer.
