Ruby Payne PhD

A Framework for Understanding Poverty

Ruby Payne is the authority on working across economic classes to create sustainable communities where everyone can live well. An engaging and down-to-earth speaker, Payne translates abstract concepts into concrete strategies with a sense of humor that leaves audiences wanting more. After changing the conversation in education to focus on poverty, Payne’s work expanded into social services, criminal justice, healthcare, the workplace, and emotional poverty. Two recent publications won IPPY awards: …

See Below for Full Bio

Categories :

Add To My Speakers List

Request Availabilty

Full Bio

Ruby Payne is the authority on working across economic classes
to create sustainable communities where everyone can live well.
An engaging and down-to-earth speaker, Payne translates abstract
concepts into concrete strategies with a sense of humor that
leaves audiences wanting more.

After changing the conversation in education to focus on
poverty, Payne’s work expanded into social services, criminal
justice, healthcare, the workplace, and emotional poverty.
Two recent publications won IPPY awards: Emotional Poverty
in All Demographics and Before You Quit Teaching.
Payne has written or coauthored many other books, including
Bridges Out of Poverty. Her book A Framework for Understanding
Poverty has sold 1.8 million copies and continues to help
people achieve success.

Payne’s efforts have achieved a global reach, and she has
worked in Australia, China, Europe, India, North America,
and Southeast Asia. Payne founded aha! Process, a publishing
and consulting firm, in 1996.

aha! Process has received awards for its publications.
Payne has published books with Solution Tree Press and
the Association for Middle Level Education.

Ruby lives in Texas with her husband, Tee. She loves having
time with her son, Tom, and his husband, Carlos, and new
grandson, as well as Tee’s children and grandchildren.

Testimonials

Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS

Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC

Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY

I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY

Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS

Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER

The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER

Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!