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

Pete’s Top 10 Takeaways from the Workday Innovation Summit 2026

On this episode, Pete and Julie unpack the top 10 learnings and key takeaways from the recent Workday Innovation Summit for industry analysts in Napa, California.  Each year, Workday gathers analysts for a peek behind the Workday curtain, its GTM, roadmap, customer stories, and big bets on what comes next for the ERP platform and its innovation, its customers, partners, and broader ecosystem.  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/]

Payroll Is a Trust Function with Special Guest Kelly Westfall

In this episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete and Julie welcome Kelly Westfall, a payroll leader known for bringing equal parts precision and heart to one of the most mission-critical (and most misunderstood) functions in the enterprise.  Kelly shares how she found her way from HR and onboarding into payroll leadership and why the complexity, accountability, and responsibility of getting pay right drive her passion and career forward.  The conversation gets real about life in payroll: the constant exceptions, the operational risk, the employee trust equation, and the quiet heroics required to keep pay accurate, compliant, and reliable at scale. Kelly shares what’s driving burnout and talent scarcity across payroll teams, why many organizations still under-resource the function while over-relying on it. Kelly reminds us that payroll is a trust function, and payroll leaders will advance through calm influence, fostering community connection, and communicating at the executive level!  Connect with Kelly:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-westfall-cpp-845245b6/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-westfall-cpp-845245b6/] https://gacpayroll.org/ [https://gacpayroll.org/]  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/]

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/]