Recipients of the 2021 education grants from the APA and Wisely Pay by ADP are ready to give back and pay it forward.

Susan Judah, CPP, Senior IT Systems Analyst for the City and County of Denver, received the Complete APA Payroll Education Package. Barbara Hinshaw, CPP, Senior Payroll Consultant with PayTech, Inc., received the Wisely Pay by ADP Payroll Education Grant.EdGrants2

Both received registration for Congress Xstream and will receive registration for four 90-minute webinars of the recipient’s choice. They will also receive a complete library of APA publications for one year, plus PayTrain®.

Judah said she looks forward to the variety of classes she can attend.

“It allows me to increase my overall knowledge and be more of an asset to my employer and customers,” she said. “I'm really looking forward to the leadership classes.”

Hinshaw thanked Wisely Pay by ADP and said she was “shocked and grateful” for the award.

“I’ve had wonderful mentors in my career and especially value my local chapter, the Greater Nashville Chapter,” she said. "I hope to give back by using the information I learn from the grant to enhance the knowledge of the payroll professionals around me and to instill a passion for the profession in the next generation of payroll professionals.”

Other grant recipients are the following:

• Susie Adams, CPP, CFO, Union County Counseling Services—Payroll Source Plus Grant
• Robin Davis, CPP, Associate Controller Payroll and Tax, University of South Florida—APA Course/Conference Grant
• Laurie Murray, CPP, Payroll Specialist, World Council of Credit Unions, Inc.—Payroll Source Plus Grant
• Wendy Ortiz, Global Pay Service Lead, Estee Lauder—Payroll Source Plus Grant
• Cheri Pungratz, CPP, Payroll and Benefits Administrator, Alltech, Inc.—APA Course/Conference Grant
• Christine Van Ness, Payroll Manager, Metabiota—the Wisely Pay by ADP Payroll Publication Grant

“My employer has asked that if I learn anything that can increase our best practices, productivity, and compliance, to share with our division,” Judah said. “There's one way I can pay it forward. I also plan to make the knowledge I've gained available to help members of my local chapter—Denver Chapter Payroll Association.”

She noted that training budgets have been slashed during the pandemic, so the grant gives her the opportunity to soak in learning at Congress Xstream and other educational offerings.

Hinshaw looked on the bright side of an online Congress instead of the in-person conference.

“It is always a treat to attend Congress,” she said. “There’s so much to learn and sessions to uplift and motivate. Plus, the RCHs! With Congress Xstream, we still have the opportunity to network and visit vendor booths—and our feet don’t hurt at the end of the day!”

Joining dozens of others in the Congress Xstream chat, Michelle Ganzer, CPP, said, "Congratulations to all the hard working Payroll Professionals who were recognized!"

Photo: Top row, Hinshaw, Pungratz, Murray; middle row, Davis, Judah, Adams; bottom row, Ortiz, Van Ness