Monika Payne is the President and CEO of Caljohn Asset Management, LLC. Caljohn is a firm of talented, innovative thinkers specializing in Marketing & Promotions and Project, Operations, and Social Media Management. Monika’s training, matched with decades of experience, allows her to lead her team in accomplishing great success in their business ventures. Monika has developed and coordinated events and programs for municipalities, event producers, radio personalities, political officials, recording artists, educational institutions, places of worship, and more. Monika's extensive education and experience allow her to draft operating budgets, design marketing and promotion strategies, and establish a timeline to bring productions from start to finish with precise execution. Monika is known to be very thorough and attentive to the smallest of details. She has assisted in establishing and expanding business operations for various businesses. Monika’s extensive network allows her accessibility to numerous resources needed for any scale project.
Monika served as director of her church's music department for many years. As a singer and musician, Monika has helped numerous independent artists by laying song tracks to present their talent to the world. In 2019, she became an Economic Development Commissioner, and then a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Village of Richton Park,. She is an avid volunteer, host, tutor, mentor, and coordinator of several youth outreach events and programs.
In many areas of her life, Monika ascends to positions of leadership. She rapidly attained supervisory and managerial duties in the financial and property management industries. Monika's leadership qualities, background, and experience in management, business administration, and accounting have proven valuable assets in moving her organization forward and establishing new entities in her company portfolio. In December 2019, Monika founded a non-profit organization, Beyond These 4 Walls, which focuses on introducing students of Grades K-8 to customs and cultures outside of their own to develop a greater global perspective. Students explore other countries through fun, innovative, interactive, and engaging activities. In January 2020, Beyond These 4 Walls partnered with Symphony of Change, to implement its initiative through Fine Arts education in local schools. In addition, Monika launched a subsidiary of Caljohn, The Health Quake (HQ). HQ promotes holistic wellness through nutritional products, expert coaching, and weekly online broadcasts.
After assisting with the planning and execution of the Youth Education Development Academy (YEDA) Back to School event in 2022, founder and CEO of YEDA, Greg Ellison, appointed Monika to Executive Director. She looks forward to continuing the vital work in building youth programs that will cultivate the mind, body, and spirit of the youth in underserved communities.
Even though Monika's career, entrepreneurship, and community endeavors keep her busy, she intentionally makes time for her beautiful family. She has been married to Brandon Payne for over 21 years, and they are the proud parents of two teenage sons, Ethan and Jonathan. Her sons are busy high achievers, so you often see Monika as the Basketball, Martial Arts, and Band Mom. Monika and Brandon invest a lot of time and effort into the lives of their sons to ensure they are educated and well-rounded individuals who will prove to be productive members of society. You will often hear her say that she refuses to sacrifice her family for success and has successfully navigated both.
As long time residents of Richton Park, Monika was especially interested in the Economic Development of the Village and the efforts to cultivate our wonderful community into a premiere location for new businesses and residents. She was afforded the opportunity to utilize her project management firm, Caljohn, to organize, plan, and execute the culminating event of the summer: the Richton Park YourParty Music Fest. 2024 was Caljohn’s third year, and each year this event has proven to be a progressively successful event boasting the best Food trucks and vendors, amazing local talent, and of course high energy live entertainment! This event does not disappointment! It captures the essence of our Village’s theme: Your Home. It prompts a sense of pride amongst the Village residents, elected officials, staff, and quite naturally, Monika and her team. Stay tuned for more!