Ruby Payne is the authority on working across economic classesto create sustainable communities where everyone can live well.An engaging and down-to-earth speaker, Payne translates abstractconcepts into concrete strategies with a sense of humor thatleaves audiences wanting more.After changing the conversation in education to focus onpoverty, Payne’s work expanded into social services, criminaljustice, healthcare, the workplace, and emotional poverty.Two recent publications won IPPY awards: Emotional Povertyin All Demographics and Before You Quit Teaching.Payne has written or coauthored many other books, includingBridges Out of Poverty. Her book A Framework for UnderstandingPoverty has sold 1.8 million copies and continues to helppeople achieve success.Payne’s efforts have achieved a global reach, and she hasworked in Australia, China, Europe, India, North America,and Southeast Asia. Payne founded aha! Process, a publishingand consulting firm, in 1996.aha! Process has received awards for its publications.Payne has published books with Solution Tree Press andthe Association for Middle Level Education.Ruby lives in Texas with her husband, Tee. She loves havingtime with her son, Tom, and his husband, Carlos, and newgrandson, as well as Tee’s children and grandchildren. For more details explore the Ruby Payne experience section of her Linked page.