Aspire 2025: Day 3 Highlights, Hot Topics, and Final Takes

Career Payroll: From Cash to Direct Deposit with Stephen Bevan

We sat down with Stephen Bevan, Sr. Director of Global Payroll, for a practical conversation rooted in what he calls “career payroll”—nearly 30 years of experience running payroll for global organizations across 30+ countries. Stephen walked through how payroll evolved during his career—from cash payments to direct deposit, and from manual processes to modern, electronic operations. He shared tips and tricks on how to go global, build payroll shared services, and scale and optimize payroll over time, along with candid takes on payroll systems and implementation approaches. We also discussed how COVID accelerated modernization, pushing organizations to move faster toward electronic payroll and digital processes.

Admin Under Pressure: Stress, Boundaries, and the Reset

No guests this time—just the hosts having a real conversation about work-related stress. We talk about how stress shows up even for the “cool, calm” admins, why everything starts to feel like a five-alarm fire, and how to separate what’s urgent from what’s important without burning out. We also get honest about common triggers—after-hours pressure, feeling devalued or talked around, constant firefighting, high personal standards, and the anxiety of taking time off and coming back to an email flood. Then we share what actually helps: setting boundaries, communicating timelines and priorities, addressing issues directly (or using a mediator when needed), getting outside and moving your body, choosing fun on purpose, and finding the right outlet so stress doesn’t spill onto everyone around you.

Inside UKG UX Research: Bri Keenan & Margaret Davey

In this episode, we sit down with Bri Keenan, Lead UX Researcher, and Margaret Davey, Senior UX Researcher, from the UKG UX Research & Analytics Team for a candid look at how UX research shows up in the real world—especially at Aspire. We talk about the impact of the Aspire UX Research Room and why its Expo Hall placement boosted visibility but made deeper conversations harder, plus how the team debriefed afterward to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Bri and Margaret also break down how UX research spans the full product lifecycle—from early discovery to usability validation to post-release adoption insights—while sharing how frontline realities (financial pressure, scheduling challenges, transportation, childcare) are influencing UKG focus areas. We also touch on how AI is being explored with a practical goal: reducing tedious work and surfacing issues earlier. Finally, they share clear guidance on how customers can participate in UX research through their UKG representative.

Legacy, Momentum, and What’s Coming: David Kermis on the Future of Pro HCM

We sat down with David Kermis, Sr. Director of Product Management for UKG Pro HCM—and yes, it was his first podcast (we politely popped his podcast cherry 😄). David shared what it means to build a career — and a product — with real longevity, reflecting on his journey from the Ultimate Software legacy to the new UKG and how that history shaped his perspective. We also talked about what’s coming next in the Pro HCM space, why strong product outcomes still come down to the fundamentals tech leaders can’t afford to ignore, and the practical considerations that go beyond the usual noise — and yes, it wasn’t an “AI episode.” He wrapped with a well-earned shoutout to his incredible team (the kind of appreciation you can’t fake). Fun, honest, and genuinely informative.

That’s a Wrap on 2025: Awards, Aspirations, and a Little Holiday Cheer

We’re closing out the year with a look back at an unforgettable 2025 — from winning a UKG award to launching some of our favorite conversations around strategy, HRIS, and workforce technology. In this episode, we share: 🏆 Highlights from UKG Aspire and our award recognition 🎯 What we’re planning for 2026 — more interviews, more strategy, and even more HRIS tips, tricks, and tactics 🎄 And of course, a few holiday wishes for our listeners With a year off from Aspire, you’ll be hearing more from us — and we can’t wait to keep the momentum going. 🎧 Tune in, celebrate with us, and get ready for what’s next. #UKGPro #WFM #HRIS #HRTech #PodcastRecap #UKGAwards #HolidayEpisode #2026Planning #AspireBreak