Imagine attending Payroll Congress for the very first time and within a year becoming part of the PayrollOrg team responsible for training payroll professionals across the world. That is exactly what happened to Christina Ruderer, CPP, and her story perfectly captures what makes Payroll Congress unlike any other event in the profession.
In this episode of @thepayrollpodcast, Nick Day, CEO of JGA Recruitment, sits down with Christina Ruderer, CPP, Director of Payroll Training at PayrollOrg, to unpack one of the most inspiring career stories in payroll today. From passing her CPP exam in tears to being selected on stage at Congress, to landing a leadership role at PayrollOrg within months, Christina's journey is living proof of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. The conversation also dives deep into what attendees can expect at Payroll Congress 2026 in Nashville, why the connections made at Congress have a compounding effect on your career, and why showing up, even alone and for the first time, could be the single best decision you make this year.
It is not luck.
It is not timing.
It is showing up with intention.
Christina shares how a clear mission, a willingness to step outside her comfort zone, and the right connections at Congress unlocked a career opportunity she had only dared to imagine. Whether you are a first-timer on the fence or a seasoned Congress veteran, this episode will remind you exactly why Payroll Congress remains the most powerful event in the global payroll profession.
This episode is sponsored by Deel
Managing a global team is complex, Deel makes it simpler with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance all in one place. That's why over 35,000 businesses trust Deel to hire, pay, and manage their teams worldwide.
See how Deel works at www.deel.com/nickday
Guest and Host:
Connect with Christina Ruderer, CPP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-ruderer-cpp-35632032b/
Get your Payroll Congress 2026 tickets here: www.payrollcongress.com
Connect with Nick Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/
Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/691ee4537e
Stay tuned for the next episode of The Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!
Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thehrldpodcast for more great content!
Timestamps:
(00:01) Introduction: Christina Ruderer's remarkable Congress-to-career story
(02:14) What does payroll mean to you?
(02:33) From member to certified: Christina's FPC and CPP journey
(05:09) Attending Payroll Congress alone for the very first time
(08:21) The Congress connection that changed everything
(09:20) From first-time attendee to PayrollOrg Director
(11:40) How Congress welcomes introverts and first-timers
(15:26) What Christina is presenting at Congress 2026 and the education lineup
(21:46) Congress traditions: the themed Fête party and what to expect
(27:18) The moment that made the whole trip worth it
(35:11) The Payroll Vault: rapid-fire career advice for 2026
Hashtags: #PayrollCongress #PayrollPodcast #PayrollOrg #CPP #CertifiedPayrollProfessional #PayrollCareers #PayrollProfessionals #PayrollTraining #Nashville2026 #PayrollCommunity #PayrollLeadership #PayrollIndustry #PayrollConference #PayrollGrowth #FutureOfPayroll
