In this episode, Pete and Julie welcome “The Payroll Nerd”, Troy Markussen, global payroll leader, founder of Nerd Outfitters, and champion of the Payroll 2040 movement, for a timely conversation on the future of payroll talent.
Troy shares how he “chose payroll” early in his career, why the profession offers one of the most dynamic and resilient career paths in business, and what his research with students and early-career professionals reveals about pay trust, payroll education, and the expectations of the next generation. The discussion explores why payroll is more than a back-office function, how payroll data can help leaders uncover broader business issues, and why payroll professionals must become more visible, more vocal, and more strategic.
Connect with Troy & Nerd Outfitters:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-markusson/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nerd-outfitters/
https://www.nerdoutfitters.shop/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs1MhTbTid2Y_fAWy2Qd0ZQ
https://www.instagram.com/nerdoutfitter/
https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdoutfitter
https://www.facebook.com/nerdoutfitter
*The annual Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI) survey is open now through September 30, 2026. Payroll professionals and stakeholders interested in participating in the research can complete the survey at: https://www.payrollinfluences.com/ppci-2026.
Connect with the show:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0
X: @JulieFer_HR
BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0
WRKDefined Podcast Network: 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
Zoho: 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/
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