The Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies (MACAA) is a network of 18 Community Action Agencies and Human Resource Agencies dedicated to the mission of enabling low-income Mississippians to rebuild their lives, nurture their families, revitalize their communities and become self-sufficient.
MACAA provides training and other technical assistance to its member agencies in order to develop leadership, increase capacity, enhance sustainability and develop more effective program delivery strategies within agencies to reduce the causes and conditions of poverty. As a network of community agencies, we strive to invigorate disadvantaged areas and empower individuals and families to become thriving members of the community.
We are committed to providing the best possible service to member agencies and the individuals and families those agencies serve. Centered in this commitment are members of the exemplary leadership and management team, well-trained and devoted staff, dedicated board members, and teams of supporters and advocates. Together we work to foster healing relationships that lead to sustainable change.
Program Director
Diann Payne
Financial services advisor Diann Payne serves as the program director for the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies.
Diann’s financial services career includes stints as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and as an analyst for a regional financial institution.
Her service as an advisor, leader, and community volunteer spans decades, including multiple terms on the Board of Directors of Pascagoula-based Merchants & Marine Bank and as Chapter Chair of the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Diann has also held leadership positions with the Southeast Region Resource Council of the ARC in Birmingham, Alabama, the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Mississippi-based nonprofit LifeWise. She has volunteered as a family partner for Habitat for Humanity of the Gulf Coast and fulfilled gubernatorial appointments to multiple statewide economic development and recovery committees.
Diann Payne earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Mississippi Valley State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.