It is with a very heavy heart that LDA announces the passing of our President and fearless leader, Nancie Payne. Nancie, who would have finished up her two-year term as President during our Orlando Conference next month, died December 27th after a courageous six-year battle with cancer.
Over the years, Nancie served at various levels in LDA, including being a member of the Professional Advisory Board, as well as serving on several committees such as Adult Topics (Chair), Conference Program (Chair twice), Finance (Chair), and Support Services. She also served on the Board of the LDA of Washington state affiliate. She embodied professionalism and came to LDA with the sole agenda to improve the lives of individuals with learning disabilities. Nancie, who herself had learning disabilities, was a sought after speaker and professional development trainer across the United States and Canada in the field of adult special needs learning.
Nancie’s professional experience involved workforce, welfare, education and rehabilitation. She was founder and president of Payne & Associates, a full-service learning center which assisted children and adults with learning and other cognitive disabilities. She was involved in other organizations outside LDA including Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE), Washington State Business Leadership Network, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, and the Thurston County Economic Development Council. Nancie brought her deep insight and knowledge to LDA. I had the great pleasure of knowing Nancie for nearly 20 years and I know one thing to be true … her legacy will live on in the heart of LDA.
As mandated by our bylaws, First Vice President Allen Broyles succeeds Nancie as LDA’s new President. Allen is the Assistant Head of School and Middle School Principal of The Howard School, a K-12 school for students with language-based learning differences in Atlanta. Allen has served on LDA’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee and various other committees including Adult Topics, Development, and Marketing/Communications.
Warm regards,
Mary-Clare Reynolds
Executive Director, LDA
