Susan Judah, CPP, SPHR, is the American Payroll Association’s Region 3 Advisor on the Board of Advisors. She serves as the liaison between APA and local chapters in California. Learn more about Susan with our exclusive Q&A session!
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have lived in the Denver metro area of Colorado since 1992. My first payroll “job” was at my mother’s company during my college summer break. I was simply a clerk, but it piqued my interest. Fast forward a few years later and I was processing A/P when the Payroll Administrator left the company. Was it divine intervention? Fate? Either way, that original interest now had an outlet. Over the years I have sat in every chair in a payroll department and now call myself a “Jane of All Payroll.”
My high school sweetheart and I have been married for almost 28 years. We have two children, one grandbaby, two dogs, one cat, and a snake. Luckily, my husband’s job allows us to travel to far-reaching locations. We’ve been to South Africa, Ireland, Australia, Thailand, Honduras, England, Mexico, Tahiti, Canada, and all over the United States. Travel has become our hobby. I collect sand/dirt from everywhere we go and keep them in labeled jars with other souvenirs in my home office.
How long have you been involved with APA and local chapters?
Many years ago, a mentor of mine showed me that payroll could go from a job to a career. At that time I was on the fringes of the APA and my local chapter. Things got serious in 2004 once I sat for the CPP exam and passed. I spent the next 5 years as the Denver Chapter Payroll Association’s Education Coordinator. Over the last 16 years I have had many opportunities to meet and network with my APA colleagues. I’ve been the recipient of two education grants and a Meritorious Service Award. I joined the National Speaker’s Bureau because I have a passion for continuing education. Part of my education is also geared towards educating others, for example through the APA’s Hotline Referral Service, CHAMPS, the Denver chapter’s CPP/FPC Study Groups, as a speaker at APA’s Annual Congress, and now as a Regional Advisor. I hope to continue learning and mentoring.
What advice would you like to give to the chapters in your region?
The best advice I can give is to include your entire membership. By that I mean including them in the planning of events, education decisions, community service, board meetings, etc. APA local chapters are made by and for the members and we should always invite them to take part in the different aspects of their chapter. It’s the members that drive the direction and we should all work together to get to the future.
What APA resources would you recommend to the chapters in your region?
Most people think of the Payroll Source as the ultimate APA resource, but for me it’s the members. All chapters should take advantage of the member connection tools like APA Listserv and CHAMPS. Asking questions and listening to the experiences of others will help you help your chapter.
Are you a proud chapter leader in Region 3? Introduce yourself to Susan in the comments or send her an email.
Susan Judah, CPP began her 2-year term as the Region 3 Advisor in May 2020.
