On this episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete and Julie, welcome ‘The Payroll OG’ himself, Todd Acevedo of SAP SuccessFactors, and ‘The Payroll ATLien’ Imran Sajid of EPI-USE to the show to talk all things payroll!  

A couple of industry rock stars, together with Payroll BADIes crew, on a mission to put the swag in payroll (with the gold chains and track suits to prove it) and change how organizations think about payroll, its strategic value, and the professionals who power it!

From the origins of the Payroll BADIes podcast and movement to the evolving role of payroll as a data-driven powerhouse in enterprise decision-making, Todd and Imran unpack the cultural, operational, and technological forces redefining the modern payroll landscape. Together, they explore why payroll is no longer a back-office function, but a mission-critical intelligence engine driving compliance, analytics, M&A readiness, and AI-powered service delivery across today’s global enterprises.

Connect with Todd, Imran, and the Payroll BADies:

Todd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddasevedo/ 

Imran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imran-sajid/ 

Website: https://payrollbadies.com/ 

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

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/

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Bonnie Tinder, CEO and founder of Raven Intel, for a candid pulse check on the state of ERP! 

From her early days implementing payroll to tracking more than 4000 ERP and HCM transformation projects, Bonnie brings a unique, practitioner-led view into why ERP is evolving and how AI, data consolidation, and implementation quality are reshaping outcomes for customers.

Bonnie explains why implementation success still comes down to people, governance, and clarity of vision, and shares what separates high-performing system integrators from the rest. The conversation explores the resurgence of all-in-one ERP, the rising influence of AI on deployment, and why customers must look beyond vendor accolades to evaluate real-world project results.

Connect with Bonnie:

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

X: https://x.com/btinder 

Raven Intel: https://ravenintel.com/ 

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/

On this episode, Pete and Julie share a special announcement and proudly unveil a new marquee sponsorship initiative to fuel the podcast’s next wave of growth!

Join HR & Payroll 2.0 in welcoming the cohort of brands that will power the show’s educational content ad-free in 2026: 

G-P (Globalization Partners) is the recognized leader in global employment, ranked No. 1 in every industry analyst report. G-P’s global employment platform delivers everything companies of all sizes need to manage the full employee lifecycle with its trusted Global HR Agent, G-P Gia™, and AI-powered Employer of Record (EOR) and Contractor products. G-P supports teams in 180+ countries with more than a decade of global employment experience, the largest team of in-country HR, legal, and compliance experts, and its unmatched proprietary knowledge base.

OneSource Virtual (OSV) delivers in-tenant technology and expert services to automate the administrative, transactional tasks of payroll, taxes, accounts payable, benefits, and earned wage access within Workday while ensuring compliance. OSV has worked exclusively with Workday customers for the past 15 years, with a services team that averages 10 years of Workday experience in addition to 20 years of industry experience. With over 1,400 customers, 95 percent retention, and $200 billion in treasury movement annually, OSV helps organizations take their teams from transactional to transformational. 

With 55+ apps in nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world's most prolific technology companies. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with international headquarters in Chennai, India, Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 18,000 employees.  

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

On this episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete and Julie welcome Ross Heron, CEO of the Australian Payroll Association to explore one of the world’s fastest-evolving and complex payroll landscapes! 

Ross unpacks why Australia has surged up the global payroll complexity rankings, how new legislation is reshaping employer accountability, and why compliance is becoming a board-level conversation.

Together, they dive into the mounting risks facing payroll leaders, the accelerating talent and payroll skill shortage, and the emerging role of payroll as a strategic, data-driven advisor to the business. Ross shares what’s driving innovation, where AI adoption truly stands, and how forward-thinking organizations are reimagining payroll as a financial well-being engine and not just an administrative function amid unprecedented regulatory and technological change.

Connect with Ross & the Australian Payroll Association:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-payroll-association 

Website:  https://austpayroll.com.au/ 

‘Beryl’ AI Payroll Assistant: https://info.austpayroll.com.au/beryl-payroll-assistant 

Australian Industry Report 2025: https://austpayroll.com.au/2025-payroll-industry-report

Australian AI Adoption Report 2025: https://austpayroll.com.au/payroll-ai-adoption-report

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

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Sue Danino, a seasoned CFO and shared-services executive who has spent her career at the intersection of finance, payroll, and enterprise transformation.

Sue dishes on how CFOs truly view payroll’s strategic value - from controllership and cash-flow forecasting to risk, compliance, and data-driven decision-making. Together, the trio explores payroll’s wedge between HR and Finance, and how that tension can be turned into partnership, influence, and better business outcomes.

Sue shares candid stories from leading large, complex organizations through M&A, global payroll consolidation, and multi-provider landscapes, highlighting why payroll must be at the table early for any acquisition, restructuring, or technology investment. The conversation explores the rise of automation and AI inside finance functions, the growing importance of real-time integrations, and why documentation, governance, and cross-functional relationships matter more than ever.

Connect with Sue:

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

https://www.focuscfo.com/fractional-cfo-team/sue-danino 

Connect with the show:

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

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social

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

On this episode, Pete and Julie share their POV’s and insights on long list of HR and payroll tech marketplace updates and activity making headlines to wrap up 2025!  

Pete and Julie share their thoughts on recent events including UKG Aspire and Workday Rising EMEA.  Plus acquisitions, product announcements, and news from vendors across HCM, Payroll, Benefits, EOR, fintech, compliance, managed services, and more.  

Vendors mentioned in the episode include ADP, Alight, Bitwage, Deel, DarwinBox, G-P, IBM, Paychex, Paystand, SD Worx, Strada Global, UKG, Vensure Employer Solutions, and Workday.   

Connect with the show:

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

X: @HRPayroll2_0 

X: @PeteTiliakos 

X: @JulieFer_HR

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social 

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

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

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome award-winning Chief Marketing Officer, founder, author, and TV host Jeanniey Walden to the show for a masterclass in modern leadership, marketing, brand storytelling, and authenticity!

From her early career at JCPenney to leading marketing for global brands like Mercer, Rite Aid, and DailyPay, Jeanniey shares how authenticity, inspiration, and relatability – all central elements in her signature “AIR” framework can transform not only marketing but also internal culture. She reveals how DailyPay's branding became a verb, why HR leaders are natural marketers, and how AI is reshaping creativity, communication, and brand trust.

The conversation dives into how AI is reshaping marketing strategy and what it means for trust, creativity, and authenticity. Jeanniey shares her experience testing a fully AI-powered “virtual team,” what she’s learning from it, and why she believes AI replaces inefficiency, not humanity. 

From the future of demand generation to the return of face-to-face connection, Jeanniey shares invaluable insights for leaders, reminding us that in an AI world, the most powerful brands will be built on emotion, trust, and human connection.

Connect with Jeanniey:

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

X: https://x.com/LiftOffShow

Website: https://www.liftoffcompany.com/ 

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

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 ‘ATLien’, HRIS strategist, payroll expert, and CEO of Transcenders Consulting Group, and host of the Human-Roll Podcast, Tiana Neal!

Tiana shares here path of a career in radio and television to finding passion and purpose in HR and payroll.  And why curiosity, courage, and a love of fixing things shaped her career and her work helping organizations modernize HR and payroll systems. 

From the rise and angst with AI to compliance complexity to why so many companies still mistake tech problems for people problems. Tiana shares how HR and payroll leaders can embrace change, elevate the employee experience, and lead their businesses into what’s next.

Plus, Pete, Julie and Tiana talk through a handful of notable workplace and HR related news articles and share their POV’s and have a little fun with each! 

Connect with Tiana:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-neal-22903386/

Website: http://www.transcendersconsultinggroup.com/

Blogs: https://www.transcendersconsultinggroup.com/ourblog 

The Human Roll Podcast: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/the-human-roll

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 special episode recorded live at the CIPP’s (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) Annual Conference and Exhibition (CIPP ACE) in Newport, Wales, Pete sits down with Ian Giles, Global Payroll Director at Dayforce, for a high-energy conversation on the “golden age of payroll!”

From the rise of AI to the rebirth of real-time pay, Ian shares his view from the front lines of global payroll transformation, where technology, trust, and talent are redefining what it means to lead in this profession.

Together, they explore how AI is reshaping payroll roles, why flexibility is the new currency of attraction, and how earned-wage access and continuous calculation are accelerating the move beyond the traditional pay cycle. Ian also offers candid advice for payroll leaders on building strategic influence, restoring trust, and embracing innovation before they’re left behind.

Connect with Ian:

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

Dayforce: https://www.dayforce.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 special episode, recorded live at the CIPP’s (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) Annual Conference and Exhibition (CIPP ACE) in Newport, Wales, Pete sits down with Steve Elcock, Director of AI & HCM Product at Zellis, for a conversation on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of payroll and HR.

The two explore why payroll is the ultimate test case for trustworthy AI, and why future-ready organizations must invest in AI literacy, clean data, and standard operating models before expecting results.

Steve unpacks the real-world applications of AI in payroll, from data quality and model trust to embedded security and responsible automation, sharing how AI is bringing explainability and precision to one of the most risk-averse functions in business.

Together, they explore what it takes to move beyond the hype, discussing AI readiness, data scaffolding, sustainability, and why domain expertise will define the next generation of payroll innovation.

Connect with Steve:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-elcock-4b04a2/

Zellis: https://www.zellis.com/ 

About Zellis ELLA: https://www.zellis.com/software/ai-with-humanity/ 

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