HR & Payroll 2.0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Ian P. Moloney, SVP and Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs from the American Fintech Council, to break down the latest on the high-stakes legal battle over open banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) ruling under Dodd-Frank 1033 has sparked lawsuits, political maneuvering, and pushback from Big Banks, raising fundamental questions about who owns consumer financial data and who pays for access to it. Ian explains what’s at stake as the rule is challenged, how fintech innovators and disruptors are responding, and why employees, consumers, and payroll professionals should care. From JP Morgan’s recent data access fees announcement to the role of disruptors like SoFi, Affirm, and DailyPay, the discussion highlights how the outcome of this battle will shape the future of fintech partnerships, financial access, and the employee experience. Connect with Ian & the AFC: Ian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpmoloney/ AFC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-fintech-council/ AFC: https://www.fintechcouncil.org/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie share their POV’s and insights from a week of attending the HR Technology Conference & Expo, Workday Rising, and Neeyamo’s N’Gage events. Fresh from the HR tech fall event trail, they unpack a long list of product announcements, key trends and observations and opine on what it means for each vendor and the marketplace.  Vendors updates discussed in the episode include ADP, Chime, DailyPay, Flowise, G-P, HiBob, HiredScore, Insperity, Sana, SAP, Neeyamo, Paradox, SonicJobs, and Workday.  Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome HR executive and road-warrior thought leader Julie Devlin to the show to discuss the current pulse and future of HR and payroll!  Julie shares her unique journey in HR, which took her from an English major without direction to directing and building HR departments from scratch, while teaching graduate-level HR courses. The conversation explores why HR still struggles with perception issues and emphasizes how small changes can lead to significant results when you begin with the end in mind. The group discusses the critical importance of strategic workforce management and how integrating payroll and time management creates compounding benefits across organizations.   Julie reveals insights from her time on the HR conference trail, covering everything from key trends and challenges to AI sentiment, and why HR and payroll must reposition themselves as strategic centers of expertise and enablers of ROI. Plus, Julie shares her POV on how the pace of innovation and change is accelerating (and may never be this slow again), and what HR and payroll practitioners are really thinking about AI at work.  Connect with Julie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdevhr/ X: https://x.com/JDevHR Website: https://juliedevelin.com/ Pete’s e-book in partnership with UKG:   https://www.ukg.com/resources/ebook/modern-manufacturing-smarter-workforce-turning-time-and-pay-competitive-advantage Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Adam Peters, combat veteran turned entrepreneur and evangelist for empowering fellow veterans!  The group discusses Adam’s inspiring journey from the U.S. Army to navigating the complexities and pitfalls of civilian life, as well as the challenges of finding identity and purpose after military service. Adam shares his passion for helping veterans struggling with the transition process and his work as an advocate for the veteran community and a champion of change.  Adam shares his transformative experiences with ayahuasca, highlighting the profound impact the psychedelic brew has had on his mental health and personal growth, and his work to help other veterans experience the same benefits.   Plus, Adam shares his work and passion for AI and automation, emphasizing the importance of a "fail fast,” learn and unlearn mentality, and draws parallels between military adaptability and operating in the evolving world of technology. Connect with Adam:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestrategicveteran/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-strategic-veteran/ Website: https://www.thestrategicveteran.com/ Podcast: https://www.thestrategicveteran.com/podcast   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChSuB5bX_E-zXvi5yJ6R5vQ Alset Technologies:  https://alsettechnologies.com/ Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Heather Stevenson, Senior Product Manager at UKG, for a fun trip down memory lane with a blast from Pete’s payroll past!  Pete and Heather reminisce on the chaos, camaraderie, transformation, and formative learnings they experienced as young colleagues leading and navigating the complexity of HR and payroll modernization for The Walt Disney Company. Together, they revisit the “Mission Impossible” digital journey at Disney, the unexpected challenges of running payroll in Hollywood, and the importance of empathy, adaptability, resiliency, and change in successful transformation. Heather shares her journey from practitioner to product leader - from processing pay for celebrities and cast members to building next-generation HCM products that power the current and next generation of small businesses forward! Plus, insights into how AI is simplifying work, elevating the practitioner experience, and powering more connected HR, payroll and workforce management solutions that drive improved business outcomes! Connect with Heather: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-stevenson-975ba63/ Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Amanda Kassler, Payroll Shared Services Manager at Otsuka, for a conversation on what it means to lead with heart and strategy in today’s payroll landscape.  Amanda shares her journey from executive assistant to payroll executive, and how she’s driving transformation through shared services, insights, and leadership. From building a true Payroll Center of Excellence to launching a dedicated payroll onboarding experience, Amanda brings practical insights—and a few surprising stories—about elevating payroll’s role in culture, compliance, and strategic enablement. With a business outcome mindset and a passion for process improvement, Amanada shares insights for driving impactful change and elevating payroll to its rightful place as a strategic partner! Connect with Amanda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandakassler/ https://hrforge.com/   Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie share their POV’s and insights on a rush of HR tech marketplace updates and activity making headlines to wrap up the summer months of 2025!  Pete and Julie share their thoughts on recent acquisitions, product announcements, and news from vendors across HCM, EOR, recruiting, fintech, and more.  Vendors mentioned in the episode include Dayforce, Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, DailyPay, Chime, Deel, Coupa, Flowise AI, Paradox, and SmartRecruiters. Links to stories mentioned: MIT Study: The GenAI Divide, State of AI in Business 2025:  https://mlq.ai/media/quarterly_decks/v0.1_State_of_AI_in_Business_2025_Report.pdf Story on Super Mom, Super Commuter Rachel Kaur: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/indian-origin-racheal-kaur-flies-to-work-malaysia-supercommuting-13862272.html Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Jeronika Dancy, Senior Manager of HR Technology at Amsted Industries, to explore the rise of the Workforce Management Center of Excellence (COE)! Jeronika shares her unexpected career journey into HR from recruiting to HRIS to leading global workforce management transformation in a complex manufacturing environment.  Jeronika shares how she blends people, process, and technology to drive measurable business outcomes, and why investing in HR technology and payroll innovation is more than a simple tech purchase, and how the transformative power resides in the people leveraging it.  The conversation explores the complexities of frontline workforce management, curating partnerships with unions, and the role of governance, change management, and ROI storytelling in driving adoption and impact. Jeronika offers insights on strategic workforce planning, building tech-enabled HR teams, and how culture and leadership support fuel transformational outcomes! Connect with Jaronika: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaronika-d-11075ba/ Podcast: ‘Logging in to UKG: A Chicago User Group Production’:  https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/logging-into-ukg-a-chicago-users-group-production/id1819101228   Connect with the show:  LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 E-book featuring the Amsted Industries CoE Case: ‘The Manufacturing Advantage’: Smarter Workforce: Turning Time and Pay into a Competitive Advantage: https://www.ukg.com/resources/ebook/modern-manufacturing-smarter-workforce-turning-time-and-pay-competitive-advantage?utm_source=payroll-influences&utm_medium=banner

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Joe Wilson, Colonel U.S. Air Force Reserve and Global CTO at Workday, to share lessons from his 30-year journey in tech and service, offering insights into the modern approach to scalable innovation, the skills-based future of talent, and why back-office operations deserve front-line focus. Joe provides a candid look at how employers can better support veteran talent and why a “we before me” mindset matters more than ever in today’s world of work, and what a recent sabbatical, 30 years in the making, taught Joe about work and life.  Joe shares his lens and POV’s on the state of SaaS technology, the power of platform over point solutions and the “platform mindset”, AI “DIY,” and the next decade of back-office innovation. Plus, advice for organizations falling behind on transformation, and where CTOs should focus in 2025! Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewilson/ Connect with Workday: www.Workday.com Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome fintech futurist, digital money visionary, and Founder of Bitwage, Johnathan Chester, to the show and go deep into the world of digital money movement!  From his early Bitcoin obsession to building one of the first platforms enabling crypto payroll, Jonathan shares a front-line perspective on how blockchain, stablecoins, and digital assets are reshaping the global financial landscape—and what it all means for HR and payroll leaders. The group explores cross-border payment inefficiencies, earned wage access, smart contracts, and the growing appetite among workers for crypto pay options. Jonathan breaks down stablecoins vs. CBDCs, the implications of the new GENIUS Act, and how digital rails are paving the way for real-time, programmable payroll. Connect with Jonathan:  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanericchester/ X: @JonChest www.Bitwage.com Resources:  Genius Act: https://shorturl.at/ECkG7  Crypto Regs Tracker: https://shorturl.at/6ceMh  CBDC Tracker: https://shorturl.at/gL8BY  Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Mercedes Sullivan, VP of People Transformation at McKinley!  Mercedes shares her unconventional journey as a touring professional tennis player, which eventually led her to become an IT and HR transformation executive. Plus, her fun story on how experimenting with an AI boyfriend named ‘Mateo’ sparked a curiosity for AI in the future of work.  The group explores the intersection of AI and human connection, the ethics of automation, and why treating employees like athletes could unlock performance potential across the enterprise. Mercedes also shares her paradigm-shifting mindset of moving from “projects to products”, her vision for governance in an AI-powered workplace, and why HR must lead the way in keeping humanity at the center of innovation. Connect with Mercedes:  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedessullivan/  Article about Mercedes, Tennis to Corporate career: https://www.itftennis.com/en/news-and-media/articles/from-court-to-corporate-world-the-touring-teams-influence/ Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this very special episode, Julie and Pete take a tour of the 2025 Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) report! They share details and color commentary around the results of the 2nd annual PPCI, walking through the unique research set and its key findings and themes, including guidance for leaders and C-suite executives.  The 2025 PPCI assesses the health of the payroll profession and its operations globally, delving deeper into the performance of payroll operations against the Five Pillars of Modern Payroll, introduced in the 2024 inaugural report.  Plus, Pete unveils a groundbreaking new Modern Payroll ROI Framework and POV to help leaders measure, prove, and shape a new narrative around payroll’s strategic contributions and impact!  Download the 2025 PPCI: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/researches/2025-payroll-profession-confidence-index-report About the PPCI:  The Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) is the first-of-its-kind payroll research designed 'by payroll and for payroll' to amplify the collective voice of its professionals and raise awareness for the value and impact of the critical profession. The PPCI takes the sentiment-based pulse of payroll professionals and measures the health and value-driven impact of their operations to better understand how to nurture the future of the payroll profession and raise the eminence and impact of every payroll professional worldwide. The PPCI remains entirely free of sponsorship or any monetization, and 100% anonymous with no personal information required to participate or to access the final report.  About Payroll Influences: www.payrollinfluences.com Founded, curated, and led ‘by payroll and for payroll, ‘Pi’ is the world’s premier virtual forum dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the critical payroll profession and empowering its current and future leaders to shape its next chapter. We believe payroll professionals are the most essential workers on the planet and, until now, have lacked an ecosystem dedicated to advancing their eminence and influence. Our mission is to provide THE premier forum to unite the world’s most essential professionals through a community of like-minded leaders eager to explore, share, learn, and advance as payroll executives!  Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome long-time HR technology industry executive and Partner at Acadian Ventures, Thomas Otter, to share his insights on where ‘hype meets truth’ on the state and future of HR and payroll technology! Thomas shares his path from studying labor law and industrial relations to finding a career in HR technology and now fueling the future of HR tech as an investor.  Thomas provides insight into the Acadian Ventures investment thesis and lens, as well as why the firm is betting big on what he calls the “infrastructure era” of HR tech. He explains why AI is prompting the industry to reassess long-held assumptions and challenges the hype that often surrounds so-called ‘game-changing’ innovations, as well as how unstructured data and conversational UIs are transforming our interactions with systems.  Thomas makes a compelling case for why HR leaders must understand their business at its core - starting by knowing their organization’s “gold price.” Plus, advice on how HR buyers can cut through the noise to focus on what solutions actually deliver to solve problems and drive business outcomes! Connect with Thomas:  Acadian Ventures: https://www.acadianventures.com/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasotter/  SubStack: https://thomasotter.substack.com/ “Wedding cakes vs. Cupcakes” blog: https://www.unleash.ai/hr-technology/thomas-otter-on-the-wedding-cake-v-cupcake-of-hr-tech/ Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Eddie Dunn, Founder and Exec Director at Civilian Ready Foundation, Interim President at Vets2Industry, long time talent executive, Army veteran and veteran advocate to the show.   Eddie shares insights on creating veteran-ready workplaces and bridging the gap between the highly skilled veteran community and the civilian workforce. Eddie discusses the critical importance of confidence, community, and clarity during a veterans’ transition, and why employers must move beyond standard hiring practices to truly tap into veterans’ immense leadership capabilities and unique skillsets. From redefining transition as a wellness practice to advocating personalized career pathways, Eddie offers valuable guidance for HR leaders, employers, and transitioning service members alike.  Connect with Eddie:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiedunn/ Civilian Ready: https://www.civilianready.org/ Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/ Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome long-time show friend Danny Schulz, Director of Global Payroll at Kohler, for a candid and insightful conversation on the future of payroll talent, leadership, and transformation! Danny shares how Kohler is navigating the looming payroll talent gap with intentional succession planning, cross-generational leadership, and a bold commitment to building a people-first, globally integrated payroll function. From reshaping payroll’s role under Total Rewards to embracing data science and automation, Danny offers insights for building resilient operations, preparing for global expansion, and reframing payroll as a strategic growth engine. Connect with Danny:  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-schulz/   Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome global mobility powerhouse, the “energizer bunny” of global payroll, and Founder of ExPaytriate, Catey Palmer!  Catey shares her unconventional journey from a career in law to global payroll and how her passion for compliance, strategy, and people shaped a new venture to make expat payroll support more accessible. The group talks the often-overlooked intricacies of global mobility, shadow payrolls, and the critical need for tighter integration between HR, payroll, tax, and legal. Catey also shares candid views on the evolving role of EORs and how technology and culture must evolve to support truly agile global talent strategies.  Connect with Catey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catey-palmer-globalpayroll/  Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Maureen Shea, former VP of HR Transformation, Vendor Governance, and Finance at CVS Health, for an energizing conversation on building an end-to-end mindset in a world of constant change! From her early days in compensation and benefits to leading large-scale enterprise HCM integrations, Maureen shares hard-earned insights on breaking down silos, driving cross-functional change, and keeping the employee experience front and center. The group explores how HR can move beyond the “way we’ve always done it” mindset, leverage AI and automation, and build credibility through data-driven outcomes. Whether you’re grappling with onboarding challenges, technology transformation, or cultural resistance, this episode is packed with relatable stories, sharp advice, and a few laughs on what it takes to drive meaningful change in today’s complex HR landscape. Connect with Maureen:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenshea7/  Connect with the show:  LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

In this episode, Pete returns from Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida where UKG held its first Global Analyst Day and shares insights from the big event!  Pete and Julie opine a long list of updates at UKG including its refreshed C-suite, GTM focus, plus product updates on both the UKG Ready and UKG Pro solutions and what it all means for buyers.     Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

Fresh home from Orlando, Florida, Pete and Julie debrief on the ‘Super Bowl of Payroll,’ the 43rd annual Payroll Congress!  They share a recap of the biggest week in payroll, including POV’s on key learning sessions, keynotes, and insights from the week.  The new products and innovations making headlines, plus their thoughts on trends and takeaways from conversations around the event!  Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky. social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

On this episode, and just in time for Veterans Appreciation Month…. Pete and Julie welcome Ross Dickman, Army veteran and CEO of Hire Heroes USA!  Ross shares his personal transition story from Apache helicopter pilot to purpose-driven nonprofit CEO, offering candid insights on the challenges veterans and their spouses face when entering the civilian workforce and the rich, often overlooked skills they offer. Ross provides a peek into the mission at Hire Heroes USA and why it is as critical as ever, highlighting the power of purpose and belonging in veteran engagement.  Ross provides his POV on engaging and nurturing veteran talent as the workforce evolves with tips for the employer and veteran lenses.  Connect with Ross and HireHeroes USA:  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossdickman/  Hire Heroes USA: www.hireheroesusa.org  Connect with the show:    LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0  X: @HRPayroll2_0 @PeteTiliakos @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0