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.