When the CFO asks why… will you panic or present your case with confidence? 

In this episode of Comp and Coffee, we go behind the scenes with Lexi Clarke and Philip Watson to uncover how HR and Finance can stop speaking past each other—and start building stronger pay strategies together. Whether you're preparing for budget season or defending comp decisions in the boardroom, this episode gives you the language, data, and mindset you need to show that compensation isn’t just a line item—it’s a lever for business success. 

Compensation isn’t just an HR function—it’s a core business strategy. In this episode of Comp and Coffee, we look into the pay crystal ball with Rebecca Toman of Pearl Meyer, Ruth Thomas, Chief Compensation Strategist at Payscale, and Sara Hillenmeyer, Payscale’s Director of Data Science. Together, they explore how trusted data, AI, and a forward-thinking approach to comp strategy can help organizations not just keep up—but lead. If you care about performance, retention, equity, or executive pay, this episode is your blueprint for aligning comp strategy with long-term business success. 

What happens when your pay strategy sparks more questions than confidence—and your best people start walking? In this episode, we bring in the experts to tackle the hard truths behind tough pay conversations and how to rebuild trust before it’s too late.

Compensation has come a long way—from handwritten ledgers and dusty binders to AI-powered insights and real-time salary data. But what does the past teach us about where we’re headed? Join us for a nostalgia-packed, future-forward journey through the history of comp, featuring expert reflections from WorldatWork, and predictions from the people shaping the next era of pay. 

Compensation isn’t just an HR function—it’s a core business strategy. In this episode of Comp and Coffee, we look into the pay crystal ball with Rebecca Toman of Pearl Meyer, Ruth Thomas, Chief Compensation Strategist at Payscale, and Sara Hillenmeyer, Payscale’s Director of Data Science. Together, they explore how trusted data, AI, and a forward-thinking approach to comp strategy can help organizations not just keep up—but lead. If you care about performance, retention, equity, or executive pay, this episode is your blueprint for aligning comp strategy with long-term business success. 

What happens when your pay strategy sparks more questions than confidence—and your best people start walking? In this episode, we bring in the experts to tackle the hard truths behind tough pay conversations and how to rebuild trust before it’s too late.

Episode resources:

https://www.payscale.com/featured-content/cbpr

Email [email protected] for listener questions and suggestions

Compensation has come a long way—from handwritten ledgers and dusty binders to AI-powered insights and real-time salary data. But what does the past teach us about where we’re headed? Join us for a nostalgia-packed, future-forward journey through the history of comp, featuring expert reflections from WorldatWork, and predictions from the people shaping the next era of pay. 

What's the state of the gender pay gap in 2025? 

In this episode Ruth Thomas discusses Payscale's 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report with Amy Stewart, Payscale's principal content strategist and author of the report. 

Together, they explore the controlled and uncontrolled pay gaps, the impact of pay transparency, and the various systemic factors contributing to the gender pay gap. 

Gain insights into why pay disparities persist and what organizations can do to address these inequalities.

Key Highlights

Quotes

Resources

• 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report: https://www.payscale.com/research-and-insights/gender-pay-gap/

With the median company now using three salary data sources—and four or more for larger organizations—it’s clear that more data is the norm. But more doesn’t always mean better. Are you truly getting the most out of your investment in compensation data? Or just adding complexity without clarity?

In this episode, we break down what an effective compensation benchmarking strategy really looks like—and how to use multiple data sources strategically, not just simultaneously.

Resources: 

Why has the gender pay gap stalled, and what does it take for women to break into leadership? In this episode of Comp & Coffee, Ruth Thomas sits down with Payscale’s Chief People Officer, Lexi Clarke, and Chief Customer Officer, Kate Peter, to explore the latest findings from the 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report. They discuss the challenges women face in leadership, the role of pay transparency, and what businesses can do to close the gap. Grab your coffee and join us for this important conversation!

Key Highlights
• Discussion of the persistent gender pay gap and the role of pay transparency in addressing this issue.
• Insights from Lexi and Kate on navigating leadership roles as women and overcoming challenges in male-dominated industries.
• Analysis of factors contributing to the stalling of pay gap improvements since 2022, with a focus on systemic issues and political influences.
• Examination of the motherhood penalty and its impact on women's career trajectories.
• The importance of having a "personal board of directors" and being authentic in leadership roles.

Quotes
• "I want to show her what strong looks like. I want to be messy in front of her and show her that you can lead authentically." – Kate Peter
• "You can't unsee the data once you have it, and then you want to act on it." – Ruth Thomas
• "Being authentic is my way of making sure I'm doing my best work." – Lexi Clarke

References
Payscale's 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report