On this episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete and Julie welcome Tom Sterling, VP of Enterprise People Solutions Operations at Cox Automotive, for a wide-ranging conversation on workforce transformation, AI, and the future of HR operations. 

Tom shares lessons learned from leading a multi-year workforce management and scheduling transformation impacting nearly 18,000 frontline employees, unpacking the realities of governance, stakeholder alignment, data strategy, and why successful change initiatives depend as much on culture and partnerships as they do technology.

The discussion turns to artificial intelligence (AI) and Tom’s belief that the greatest opportunities lie not in AI alone, but in the combination of artificial intelligence and human intelligence. Together, the trio explores why HR must move from the sidelines to the center of enterprise AI strategy, how organizations should rethink operating models, and why speed without control can create as many problems as it solves.

Connect with Tom: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomlsterling/

SSON blogs by Tom:  https://www.ssonetwork.com/intelligent-automation/articles/ai-hi-equation-shared-services

*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026. 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome payroll expert and fractional payroll director, Shala Druin, Founder of Strategic Payroll Solutions, for a candid conversation on why payroll remains one of the most misunderstood and consequential functions in any business.

The conversation explores how payroll leaders can better quantify risk, build stronger business cases, secure earlier involvement in strategic decisions, and shift the function from reactive processing to proactive business enablement. Plus advice for moving payroll forward in your organization and stepping out of your comfort zone and influencing for impact. 

Shala also shares her perspective on AI readiness and potential, the importance of experimentation and governance, and why the next era of payroll will require stronger business and strategic alignment, better cross-functional integration, and a more impactful voice for the critical function.

Connect with Shala & Strategic Payroll Solutions:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shala-druin-313807189/

https://strategicpayrollsolutions.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/strategic-payroll-solutions/posts/?feedView=all 

https://substack.com/@strategicpayrollsolutions 

*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Andrew ‘AG’ Gadomski, Managing Director at Aspen Analytics and host of ‘Reciprocity with AG’, for a candid conversation on AI governance, cybersecurity, compliance, and the future of work.

Andrew shares why HR is becoming an increasingly important attack surface, how fake applicants and social engineering are changing recruiting risk, and why HR leaders need to build much stronger partnerships with cybersecurity, legal, and technology teams. The conversation also explores the need for better workforce planning, clearer job architecture, stronger vendor scrutiny, and a more practical understanding of how AI will impact both work and workers.

Andrew highlights why the future of work is not just about adopting AI, but rather governing it, securing it, and making sure innovation strengthens the workforce instead of exposing it.

Connect with AG:

Podcast: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/reciprocity-with-ag

Aspen Analytics: https://www.aspenanalytics.io/about-3/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgadomski/

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0

X: @PeteTiliakos

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward!

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Meredith Reilly, Chief Sales Officer at isolved, for a candid conversation on what is really happening in the HCM and payroll buying market.

The conversation explores why HR tech is often “sold” more than it is bought, why decision cycles are getting longer, and how buyers are navigating fatigue from overpromised technology, inconsistent service, and increasingly complex internal stakeholders.

From board involvement and IT scrutiny to broker influence, AI expectations, managed services, and the growing importance of customer experience, this discussion unpacks the new realities shaping HR and payroll technology decisions. Meredith also shares why service, trust, proof points, and clear buying processes matter more than ever, especially as organizations look to AI not simply for efficiency, but for better data, stronger decisions, and a more strategic HR function.

Meredith offers a practical look at the future of HCM buying and what it will take for vendors, advisors, and buyers to move beyond noise, make better decisions, and build more resilient people operations.

Connect with Meredith: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-reilly-33750246/ 

www.isolvedhcm.com 

isolved’s ‘Advisory Services Research’ report: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/resources/whitepapers/advisory-services-research 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete and Julie catch up with Barbara Vetula, Director of Business Services for Payroll and HR Support at Bridgestone, for a practitioner-led conversation on what it really takes to modernize payroll, workforce management, and HR service delivery at enterprise scale.

The conversation explores Bridgestone’s approach to workforce management standardization, payroll modernization, data governance, AI experimentation, union complexity, and the growing need for payroll teams to build new skills around technology, process improvement, and business partnership.

Pete, Julie, and Barbara also dig into the realities of best-of-breed architecture, why “one platform for everything” is not always the right answer, and how enterprise leaders can evaluate technology based on business complexity, agility, and long-term sustainability. From piloting AI in service delivery to preparing teams for a future where bots, data, and human expertise work together, this episode offers a practical look at the next chapter of payroll and HR transformation.

The conversation is a reminder that transformation is not just about systems. It is about building the right operating model, the right skills, and the right mindset to keep pace with a changing workforce. 

Connect with Barb: 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbvetula/ 

*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026. 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete welcomes Virender “VA” Aggarwal, former CEO of Ramco and longtime HR tech executive, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of enterprise software, work, and workforce experience.

From conversational UI and “zero UI” experiences to AI-native platforms, orchestration across systems, outcome-based pricing, and the rise of headless software, VA shares a candid view of where HR, payroll, and SaaS are headed next. The conversation also explores why the winners in this next era may not simply be the companies adding agents to legacy platforms, but those rebuilding around AI from the ground up.

Pete and VA also talk the human side of automation, including trust, adoption, customer experience, the future of administrative work, and why AI should free HR to spend less time processing transactions and more time understanding people.

Connect with VA:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virender-aggarwal/

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete welcomes Eynat Guez, CEO of Papaya Global, for a forward-looking conversation on the future of work, payroll, and workforce infrastructure.

Eynat shares why AI is not just another layer of automation, but a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild how organizations manage, pay, and support their global workforces. From the rise of autonomous payroll and workforce data orchestration to the growing role of CFOs, payments, stablecoins, and real-time settlement, the conversation explores why payroll is becoming one of the most strategic systems in the enterprise.

The discussion also digs into the realities of global payroll complexity, why cross-border payments remain so difficult, how AI can help turn fragmented workforce data into actionable intelligence, and why the future may require a new kind of leader focused on workforce data, risk, cost, and financial control.

Connect with Eynat & Papaya Global:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eynatguez/

www.papayaglobal.com

Pete’s Payroll Influences case study on Bolt featuring Papaya Global: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/researches/bolt%3A-a-managed-global-payroll-services-case-study-featuring-papaya-global-

*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026. 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Karen Kaplan, CHRO at People Incorporated, for a real-world look at what it takes to lead HR transformation inside a complex, mission-driven healthcare nonprofit.

Karen shares her journey from operations and administration into HR leadership, and why the mission of supporting mental health care professionals has kept her in the field for more than two decades. The conversation explores the unique workforce challenges of a highly regulated nonprofit healthcare environment, including 24/7 residential programs, community-based care, mobile workers, shift differentials, scheduling complexity, credential tracking, and the need to equip frontline managers with tools that work.  

The group unpacks People Incorporated’s HR and payroll systems transformation journey, from persistent friction, manual workarounds, data reliability issues, and trust gaps to a more structured assessment, RFP, and implementation process. Karen offers a candid view into the hard decisions leaders must make before replacing technology, including where to change policy, where to adapt process, where to preserve requirements, and why stakeholder engagement is essential to rebuilding trust.  

The episode also highlights what happens after go-live, including phased implementation, benefits enrollment, talent acquisition, communications planning, employee paycheck previews, reduced manual checks, and the growing role of analytics and AI in supporting workforce planning and care delivery. 

Connect with Karen: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kaplan-sphr/ 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ 

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete welcomes Anand Pandya, VP and GM of Specialty Solutions for SMBs at ADP, for a timely conversation on the rise of embedded technology and why payroll is becoming mission-critical infrastructure inside modern SaaS platforms.

Anand shares why small businesses are increasingly overwhelmed by fragmented back-office software, often juggling multiple systems for payments, accounting, cash flow, employee data, and payroll. 

Pete and Anand explore why payroll is uniquely complex as an embedded financial solution, from employee data and tax jurisdictions to deductions, state registrations, garnishments, worker’s compensation, retirement mandates, and ongoing regulatory change. They also discuss why SaaS providers cannot treat payroll as a tech-only add-on and why the technology matters, but so do service, compliance support, onboarding, regulatory updates, and the ability to help small businesses when payroll gets complicated.  

The conversation also looks ahead to where embedded payroll is headed next, including the growing role of AI, self-service support, real-time compliance prompts, and the movement toward SaaS platforms becoming the operational hub for small businesses.

Connect with Anand and ADP:  

For C-suite and developers interested in exploring ADP’s embedded payroll solution: adp.com/embedded

For SMB’s interested in exploring ADP for their small business: adp.com/smallbusiness

Anand’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anpandya/

Pete’s e-book: ‘Payroll In The Flow of Business: How Embedded Payroll Is Becoming Mission-Critical for Modern SaaS Platforms’ 

https://www.payrollinfluences.com/researches/payroll-in-the-flow-of-business%3A-how-embedded-payroll-is-becoming-mission-critical-for-modern-saas-platforms

*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026. 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome “The Payroll Nerd”, Troy Markussen, global payroll leader, founder of Nerd Outfitters, and champion of the Payroll 2040 movement, for a timely conversation on the future of payroll talent.

Troy shares how he “chose payroll” early in his career, why the profession offers one of the most dynamic and resilient career paths in business, and what his research with students and early-career professionals reveals about pay trust, payroll education, and the expectations of the next generation. The discussion explores why payroll is more than a back-office function, how payroll data can help leaders uncover broader business issues, and why payroll professionals must become more visible, more vocal, and more strategic.

Connect with Troy & Nerd Outfitters:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-markusson/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nerd-outfitters/

https://www.nerdoutfitters.shop/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs1MhTbTid2Y_fAWy2Qd0ZQ

https://www.instagram.com/nerdoutfitter/

https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdoutfitter

https://www.facebook.com/nerdoutfitter

*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026. 

Connect with the show:

LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 

WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 

Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! 

G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/

OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90

Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html

Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/