

Janet Cowell
Director | Channel Advisor
Janet Cowell is the chief executive officer of the Dix Park Conservancy. In this role, she leads strategic initiatives to promote, fund and develop the park including a broad scope of programmed activities and special events. Janet leads with a vision for the park to be a transformative public space for everyone to enjoy. Janet also serves on the board of New Republic Bank, and as Independent Chair of the Investor Advisory Board for IFM Investors. Janet previously served as an Independent Board Director for ecommerce software provider ChannelAdvisor, and James River Insurance Company. Janet served North Carolina as the first woman to hold the office of state treasurer. She stabilized and strengthened the pension fund in the aftermath of the Great Recession and stock market drop and grew the fund from $60 to $90 billion, with a compound return of more than 7.5 percent over eight years. She also strengthened supplemental retirement programs for state and local employees, reducing fees and providing additional options and improved oversight. Janet is a former chair of the North Carolina Banking Commission. She also served as a state senator in the North Carolina General Assembly. Her first foray into elected office was as a member of the Raleigh City Council. Janet earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.