HR & Payroll 2.0

HR & Payroll Tech Marketplace News & Updates (Spring 2026, April)

On this episode, Pete and Julie share their POV’s and insights on HR tech marketplace updates and activity making headlines in Q2’2026!   First, an update from the road, including takeaways from the CloudPay Paymakers event in Malta, Workhuman LIVE in Orlando, the Dayforce Distilling AI virtual event, and the SSOW (Shared Services and Outsourcing Week) in Orlando.  Additionally, they discuss several product updates and acquisitions and what it means for buyers and providers across the marketplace.  Vendors news discussed in the episode include: Deel, Gusto + Mosey, Paylocity + Grayscale, Payoneer + Boundless. Phenom + Plum, Remote + Bravas, Revolute, Trinet + Cocoon. Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 [http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0] X: @HRPayroll2_0 [https://twitter.com/HRPAYROLL2_0]  X: @PeteTiliakos [https://twitter.com/PeteTiliakos]  X: @JulieFer_HR [https://twitter.com/juliefer_hr] BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 [https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0]    WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 [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 [https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90] Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/]

The State of HCM Technology with Special Guest John Kostoulas

On this special episode, Pete welcomes John Kostoulas, VP of Market Positioning & Strategy at Dayforce and former Gartner Vice President and distinguished HCM tech analyst, for a candid conversation on the future of HR technology, AI adoption, and what it really takes to modernize in the era of agentic AI. John shares his journey from an engineering graduate in Greece to an HCM vendor executive and what the "analyst in him" still sees that most miss. He brings research-backed insights on the AI governance gap, and why trust, not features, is the real barrier to adoption at scale. He also delivers a sharp, no-nonsense framework of AI transformation do's and don'ts for executives who are paralyzed or unsure where to start, including why chasing feature lists over outcomes is the fastest road to regret. The conversation explores the growing "vibe coding your HCM" phenomenon, debating whether SMBs and enterprises can realistically AI-generate their way to payroll and HR solutions. Plus, they talk about the critical difference between a truly unified HCM platform and a fragmented "unified" illusion, and why that distinction is make-or-break for enterprise agility. Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkostoulas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkostoulas/] John’s Post on unified consolidation and AI features: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7439258950371344385/ [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7439258950371344385/] Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 [http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0] X: @HRPayroll2_0 [https://twitter.com/HRPAYROLL2_0]  X: @PeteTiliakos [https://twitter.com/PeteTiliakos]  X: @JulieFer_HR [https://twitter.com/juliefer_hr] BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 [https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0]  WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 [https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20]  Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward!  G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ [https://www.globalization-partners.com/]  OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 [https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90] Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/]

Payroll Like a Boss with Special Guest John Bernatovicz & Tammy Gillenwater

On this special episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete & Julie are joined by friends of the show, John Bernativicz and Tammy Gillenwater of Willory Consulting [http://www.willory.com/] to talk their new book: ‘Payroll Like a Boss [https://www.amazon.com/Payroll-Like-Boss-Guide-Strategic/dp/1662970854/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image].’  John and Tammy share the origin story behind the book, the inspiration for writing it, and why themes like bravery, influence, community, and leadership are key elements of the content and increasingly critical for payroll professionals today. They also dig into the challenges holding payroll back, from constant firefighting to lack of recognition, and offer a clear call for payroll to step forward, prove its value, and help shape the future of work. Plus, John and Tammy talk about the ‘movement’ and community developing around the book and its goal to elevate the payroll profession. The conversation explores why payroll leaders must move beyond process and compliance to become more strategic, influential, and visible leaders inside their businesses. Want to Payroll Like a Boss? Your Guide to Strategic Payroll: https://johnbernatovicz.com/payroll-like-a-boss/ [https://johnbernatovicz.com/payroll-like-a-boss/] Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Payroll-Like-Boss-Guide-Strategic/dp/1662970854/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image [https://www.amazon.com/Payroll-Like-Boss-Guide-Strategic/dp/1662970854/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image] Connect with John & Tammy:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/ [http://linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tammy-gillenwater-cpp-374692107/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-gillenwater-cpp-374692107/]  Willory Consulting: https://willory.com/ [https://willory.com/] Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 [http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0] X: @HRPayroll2_0 [https://twitter.com/HRPAYROLL2_0] X: @PeteTiliakos [https://twitter.com/PeteTiliakos] X: @JulieFer_HR [https://twitter.com/juliefer_hr] BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 [https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0]  WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 [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 [https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90] Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/]

Rebranding With Purpose with Special Guest Amberly Dressler

On this special episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete catches up with Amberly Dressler, a brand marketing executive known for helping shape one of the most memorable community-led brand stories in HR tech and now leading corporate and partner marketing at Conga. [https://conga.com/]  Amberly shares on the brand mechanics that matter right now: when a rebrand is truly earned versus vanity, how to create a single truth that unites multiple buyer personas, and why consistency beats novelty even when you’re personally tired of the message. In a crowded market where buyers are overwhelmed, she argues credibility is built the old-fashioned way: community, repetition, and showing up in the real world, not just on a slide. Drawing from the ‘People Heroes’ movement at isolved and the roadshow-first approach that met practitioners where they are, Amberly shares what modern GTM must deliver beyond the software: confidence, change support, and a narrative champions can carry into internal business cases.  They also unpack why relationship-building is the only sustainable growth strategy in HR and payroll, and what it means to show up authentically in public forums like Reddit as AEO, GEO, and SEO collide with AI-driven answer engines. Connect with Amberly:  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlydressler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlydressler/] Conga: https://conga.com/ [https://conga.com/]  Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 [http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0] X: @HRPayroll2_0 [https://twitter.com/HRPAYROLL2_0]  X: @PeteTiliakos [https://twitter.com/PeteTiliakos]  X: @JulieFer_HR [https://twitter.com/juliefer_hr] BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 [https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0]  WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 [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 [https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90] Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/]

When Compensation & Payroll Converge with Special Guest Briana ‘Bri’ Mullens

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome payroll and compensation expert and practitioner, Bri Mullens, to the show to discuss the convergence of payroll, compensation, benefits, and total rewards.  Bri shares how an accounting background led to a career in payroll and why the key ingredients that kept her there were equal parts numbers, compliance, and real human impact. The conversation covers why aligning payroll with compensation and benefits can be a strategic unlock, especially as pay transparency laws accelerate, and employees expect clearer answers to how, why and what they are paid.   Bri breaks down how she’s using market data, partnering closely with HR, and rolling out total compensation letters to help employees understand the full value of their rewards package and provide the transparency that builds trust.  They also discuss modern pay experience enablers such as earned wage access (EWA), the payroll “latency” challenge, and financial wellness. Plus, a practical look at how HR and compensation teams are using AI today without compromising sensitive employee data.   Connect with Bri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianamullens/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianamullens/] Connect with the show: LinkedIn:  http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 [http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0] X: @HRPayroll2_0 [https://twitter.com/HRPAYROLL2_0]  X: @PeteTiliakos [https://twitter.com/PeteTiliakos]  X: @JulieFer_HR [https://twitter.com/juliefer_hr] BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 [https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0]  WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 [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 [https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90] Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html [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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/]