Women in Payroll

Val Flight, Head of Payroll at Westpac Group

In this entertaining episode, Val Flight - Head of Payroll at Westpac Group - confides how her curiosity and skill for picking apart and breaking systems made her ideally suited for life as a payroll professional and shares her perspective on utilising AI. From receiving her first proper payslip in a convenience store job at 17 to becoming the driving force behind payroll at one of Australia’s Big Four banks, Val walks us through the evolution of her career and how a change of location gave her a whole new perspective, personally and professionally.

Tracee Bowles - Global Advisory Practice Leader The Hackett Group

Graham and Melanie had the opportunity to meet Tracee Bowles. Similar to numerous individuals in the payroll industry, Tracee found herself in this industry by chance. However, the communication skills she acquired while growing up around her family's business paved the way for her initial job into payroll. Tracee is enthusiastic about payroll and believes that fellow payroll professionals can secure a place at the decision-making table, actively participating in crucial business choices that impact the payroll department.

Kelly Semones Director - People Advisory Services: Payroll Advisory at EY

For this episode of Women in Payroll, Graham and Melanie met with Kelly Semones.   Kelly didn’t start her working life wanting to become a payroll specialist; her career journey took her from Geology to HR and then she fell in love with the Payroll industry. Kelly shares her tips for a successful transformation project and her excitement about the ways technology may change the future of payroll and pay.  Kelly’s passion for payroll shines throughout the episode, and she confesses that (like many of us in the industry) she is a Payroll Geek!

Sharon Tayfield - Director Global Payroll Services, Global Outsourcing BDO UK LLP

For this episode of Women In Payroll, Graham and Melanie had the pleasure of meeting with Sharon Tayfield. Sharon is one of the Payroll industry's most passionate professionals. During our conversation, Sharon explains how she joined the payroll industry and used her payroll and entrepreneurial skills to become part of a team that developed new software for the Payroll industry in Africa.  Like many of us, Sharon's successful career within Payroll has been shaped and inspired by others and she speaks about those who have been her greatest influences and mentors.

Melanie Duffus - Head of Payroll, Europe

Melanie and Graham met with Melanie Duffus for this episode.  Melanie began her working life in Insurance and was intrigued to decipher her first payslip and understand why the tax man took so much money each month. Her curiosity launched her career in payroll! In the '90s Melanie worked for a recruitment agency, processing their payrolls, and her love of payroll was cemented.  Melanie is passionate about getting in front of stakeholders to directly address queries and explain how payroll work. This has helped her build important relationships throughout her career.  Networking, people skills and attention to detail are Melanie's niche and she encourages everyone who works in the payroll industry to discover their own specialism.

Barbara Leverette - Head of Global Payroll Operations

Barbara is passionate about Payroll. Like many people in our industry, she fell into payroll and got the bug. Barbara is an advocate of networking and explains its benefits; both in furthering your career and with day-to-day payroll processing. She also champions ongoing learning and encourages her team to take time to learn new things about payroll and share what they have discovered. Barbara is admirably forthright and encourages fellow Payroll professionals to be open with bosses about the job you want. That positive drive took her all the way to director!

Lara Smart - Payroll Transformation Consultant

Graham and Melanie had the pleasure of meeting Lara Smart for the latest Women in Payroll Podcast. As a Payroll Transformation Consultant, Lara comes to payroll from a slightly different perspective than our other guests.  During this revealing episode, Lara provides helpful insight into what makes a good and successful Transformation project and discusses potential complexities together with the importance of engaging with all business partners. We get Lara's take on how prioritising positive reporting will change the profile of the payroll industry not only in-company but also externally.  We also find out whether the last week of a transformation project gives Lara the same adrenaline rush as taking part in extreme sports!

Samantha Williams VP Head of Payroll NielsenIQ

In this entertaining episode, Graham and Melanie interview Samantha Williams the VP Head of Global Payroll at NielsenIQ.  Samantha's very first role was in Payroll and she hasn't left the industry since. Samantha shares insights from her time with multiple international organisations, the ups and downs of her career and how early experiences shaped it. In her own words: All roads lead to payroll!

Janet Grossett, Manager, Compliance Services and Professional Development National Payroll Institute

Welcome to another inspiring episode! Melanie and Graham had the pleasure to interview Janet Grossett in this session of Women in Payroll. Janet is the Compliance at the National Payroll Institute of Canada. Like so many Payroll Leaders we have interviewed, Janet fell into payroll by happenstance after being asked by her accountant to run payroll whilst they were on vacation.  And from that moment on Janet hasn't looked back, she loves working in the Payroll Industry and chose it as a career.  We learn about Janet's career path and explore the story of the great influence and mentor who had a great impact on the way she charted that path. Janet discusses the effects of the pandemic and what impact it had on her team. She shares that being supportive and flexible and encouraging her team to go from good to great was key to surviving and thriving in such manic and high pressurised times.

Samantha Johnson, Policy Lead at CIPP

Graham and Melanie had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha Johnson, Policy Lead at CIPP.  Samantha studied for a degree in Law and found a job within Leicestershire Police after graduating. She saw an internal role in payroll being advertised, got the job and hasn’t looked back since her career in payroll began!  During this podcast we discuss a variety of topics including Financial Wellness, On Demand Pay, AI, RPA and what the future of payroll will look like.  Samantha encourages our listeners to not be afraid of change, never to make assumptions and to embrace their creativity.