Monica Payne

Monica Payne is the Executive Director of the Youth and Family Training Institute (YFTI) and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.  Major responsibilities include Strategic Leadership & Governance – Collaborating with funders and stakeholders to develop, implement, and track deliverables of all grants and contracts.  2) Fundraising & Financial Oversight – Driving revenue goals, managing budgets, and cultivating relationships to ensure financial sustainability. 3) Operational Management – Overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring programs meet quality standards, and maintaining compliance. 4) Staff Management & Leadership – Hiring, supervising, and mentoring staff to foster a productive, positive organizational culture. 5) Stakeholder & Public Relations – Acting as the primary liaison between the organization and community partners, government officials, and the public.  For twelve years prior to becoming Executive Director, Monica had been the Evaluation Director at YFTI.

Monica has been trained in both clinical psychology and education and has been passionate about working with youth, adults and families in a variety of ways for over twenty-five years. Prior to her work at YFTI, she spent eight years coordinating three large longitudinal National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded research studies under David Brent, MD in the Department of Psychiatry and co-authored eleven trauma-related peer-reviewed articles in psychiatric journals. She has also worked as an outpatient and in-home family and play therapist, taught secondary Social Studies at a local high school, and was an Adjunct Professor for undergraduate psychology courses at Duquesne University.

Monica obtained her training in Clinical Psychology at Duquesne University, completing her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees, and ended her studies with a Ph.D. (ABD). She also obtained a Master of Arts degree in Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh. She is married to her wonderful husband, Jim, has three adorable cats, plays bass guitar in a local band, and loves sports, gardening, and traveling in her free time.