Comp and Coffee

Peh Keong Teh, Chief Product Officer at Payscale, Mark Feffer, a contributing analyst at 3Sixty Insights, and Olivia Sedler, Senior Product Manager at Payscale, dive into the realities of AI in HR tech. They discuss how practitioners are now demanding measurable results instead of hype and how AI should alleviate mundane tasks while enhancing human strategy. The team also explores AI’s role in improving employee self-service and bridging data gaps, emphasizing the importance of governance and transparency as AI adoption ramps up.

Join Lexi Clarke, Chief People Officer at Payscale, Lauren Hein, Head of Total Rewards, and Lauren Cole, Senior Director of Services, as they dive into the crucial topic of pay conversations. They discuss how unclear communication erodes trust and the importance of empathy in pay discussions. Learn about leveraging non-salary rewards when budgets are tight and the growing demand for pay transparency. The guests also share practical tips for managers to prepare for these sensitive talks, emphasizing the emotional impact of compensation on employees.

Lulu Seikaly, a corporate attorney focused on pay transparency laws, and Elaina Van Kirk, a Principal Consultant specializing in equitable compensation, delve into the complexities of pay transparency. They discuss how misalignment among HR, Legal, and Leadership can erode employee trust. Lulu highlights legal risks tied to compensation confusion, while Elaina emphasizes the need for clear communication to unify stakeholder messages. Together, they envision a future where transparency fosters shared understanding and builds lasting trust within organizations.

Amy Stewart, Principal of Research & Insights at Payscale, and Kathryn Gombos, HR and total rewards expert, share insights on shifting salary budgets for 2026. They discuss how economic uncertainty is reshaping pay strategies and the importance of data for HR professionals. Kathryn emphasizes transparent communication and pay equity, while Amy highlights industry variations in salary trends. Together, they offer actionable steps for organizations to navigate budget changes and enhance their compensation strategies.

Lexi Clarke, Chief People Officer at Payscale, and Kate Peter, Chief Customer Officer at Payscale, discuss the critical importance of trust in fair pay practices. They highlight findings from the Fair Pay Impact Report, revealing employees feel underpaid despite rising wages. The conversation delves into the challenges of perception versus reality in compensation, emphasizing the need for transparency and open communication. Personal experiences shape their advocacy for fair pay, urging leaders to foster trust through honest discussions to retain top talent.

Lexi Clarke, Chief People Officer at Payscale, and Philip Watson, Chief Financial Officer at Payscale, delve into the synergy between HR and finance. They discuss how compensation can be a powerful business lever rather than a mere budget item. The conversation highlights strategies for effective collaboration, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the value of healthy friction within teams. Insights on navigating budget discussions and aligning compensation with business goals offer practical takeaways for professionals in both fields.

Join Rebecca Toman, an executive compensation expert from Pearl Meyer, and Sara Hillenmeyer, Director of Data Science at Payscale, as they dive into the future of compensation. They discuss how AI and trusted data can revolutionize pay strategies for organizations. Tune in to learn about the strategic shift in executive compensation and its link to business growth. The conversation also covers the balance between data-driven decisions and discretion in executive pay, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in a changing economic landscape.

Paul Wolfe, a champion of human-first leadership and former CHRO, joins Lexi Clark, Chief People Officer at Payscale, to tackle the pressing issues surrounding compensation strategies. They discuss how pay transparency laws and shifting employee expectations are challenging HR professionals. The conversation highlights the impact of effective communication on trust and retention, the struggle to maintain fairness amid financial pressures, and the crucial need for manager training in pay discussions. Tune in for insights on navigating the complexities of compensation in today's workforce!

Ashley Tamala leads the U.S.-based compensation consulting team at Hub International, while Sarah Hillenmeyer serves as Senior Director of Data Science at Payscale. They discuss the evolution of compensation practices, from handwritten ledgers to AI-driven insights. Listeners will learn about the shift towards market-based pay structures and the role of data in modern compensation strategies. They dive into the future of compensation management, highlighting innovations in AI and the importance of human judgment in making nuanced pay decisions.

Amy Stewart, Principal Content Strategist at Payscale, dives into the crucial findings from the 2025 Gender Pay Gap Report. She discusses the distinction between controlled and uncontrolled pay gaps, revealing that women currently earn 83 cents for every dollar men make. The impacts of pay transparency legislation across states are highlighted, alongside systemic issues affecting women, particularly women of color. Stewart also emphasizes the 'motherhood penalty' and provides actionable recommendations for organizations aiming to close these persistent pay disparities.