Kathy Payne Senior Director for Education Leadership, State Farm CompaniesŪ Corporate Headquarters, Illinois Kathy Payne is the senior director of Education Leadership for State FarmŪ in charge of State Farm's business-education partnerships. She works directly with State Farm Chairman and CEO Edward B. Rust Jr. in the area of business/education partnerships focused on improving student achievement. She is also responsible for the direction of State Farm's philanthropic support for education organizations. A former school board member and president, Kathy received the 2002-2003 Illinois Board of Education "Those Who Excel" Award for outstanding contributions to education, and was named the "2003 Woman of Distinction" for education for her home county in Illinois. Prior to joining State Farm, Kathy was a 12-year veteran teacher in the area of Special Education at the secondary level. View sessions with Kathy Payne | 
