Title: Founder and Former Country Representative
Company: LeaMcD Educational Services for the Deaf of Ethiopia
Location: Flintstone, Georgia, United States
Rebekah J. Payne, founder and former country representative at LeaMcD Educational Services for the Deaf of Ethiopia, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in nonprofit and deaf education.
With nearly two and a half decades of experience, Ms. Payne has built a successful career in nonprofit and education, specializing in consulting and advocacy for deaf education. Since 2001, she has served as the founder and former country representative of LeaMcD Educational Services for the Deaf of Ethiopia, which received its nonprofit license in the United States in 2005 but has been actively operating since 2001. The “Lea” in the organization’s name honors her parents, the Leaches, recognizing their influence and dedication to the mission, while “McD” represents her late husband, symbolizing his legacy in the field of deaf education. Currently, the program supports deaf students enrolled in a government school, integrating them into regular classrooms. The primary age groups involved are students in grades five through 10, with a Saturday summer program focusing on older students, and a fall program open to all ages.
Reflecting on her path, Mrs. Payne’s involvement in deaf education began in 1971 when she moved to Ethiopia with her parents and stayed for nearly five years. She married a man with a master’s degree in deaf education, and together they worked with the deaf community until his passing in 1988. After remarrying, she thought her connection to deaf education had ended, but in 2001, she felt called to return to Ethiopia. Upon visiting, she saw little progress in deaf education since her earlier work, prompting her to return with her new husband’s support. Together, they managed programs in Ethiopia while driving a truck for covenant transportation to sustain their efforts.
In the coming years, Ms. Payne’s primary objective is to foster the growth of LeaMcD Educational Services for the Deaf of Ethiopia. The organization recently restarted its operations, beginning with a tutoring program similar to the one launched in 2001. The long-term vision is to establish a dedicated school, high school, and eventually a college for the deaf community. Alongside these educational initiatives, the organization has a strong focus on helping the deaf community secure employment, believing that deaf individuals often make more effective educators for the deaf than hearing individuals. In addition to providing various employment opportunities, the organization actively works to connect deaf individuals with meaningful jobs to further empower the community.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Ms. Payne:
