Our Spotlight series provides an opportunity to meet the remarkable individuals at HRchitect. Each month, we highlight a member of our team, allowing you to discover more about their unique contributions and get to know them a bit more on a personal level.
Learn about – Laura Palulis, MBA, Director, UKG Pro Services, in this month’s Spotlight.
Laura Palulis has over 25 years of experience in payroll, human resources, and accounting. Before joining the HRchitect team, Laura led the payroll and accounting function at a large, nationally acclaimed university. Laura has a proven track record of excellence in project management, system configuration, process redesign, and troubleshooting critical business issues, with deep expertise around UKG Pro. Laura is also a UKG Pro People Center/Pay – Champion. Laura holds an MBA with a concentration in Leadership and Human Resources from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. Laura has received several promotions since she joined us over six years ago at HRchitect and currently oversees our UKG Pro practice as Director, UKG Pro Services.
Laura was highlighted in the March 2021 edition of PAYTECH Magazine, recognized for her service as an online hotline volunteer. In addition, Laura received a Citation of Merit – American Payroll Association’s 40th Annual Payroll Congress – 2022 in recognition of her contributions to the payroll profession through participation on the Hotline Referral Service Committee.
Throughout the years, Laura has received numerous testimonials from our clients and 5-star reviews from Raven Intelligence.
Hometown: Unity, NH
Favorite restaurant: Becco in New York City
Favorite song: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Favorite motto or quote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? During the warmer weather months, I love being on my boat on the lake. In the colder weather season, you can find me quilting.
Now that you have been at HRchitect for over six years and promoted to Director of our UKG Pro Practice in July of 2024, what does your job entail?
- Spending a reasonable amount of time on sales calls, listening to client needs, and helping to determine a path to resolve their problems and determine how much time will be needed.
- Reviewing hours used by our consultants on these projects regularly, conducting weekly calls with my team to share knowledge and UKG news, and brainstorming solutions.
- Meeting weekly with my implementation managers and regularly with each one of the consultants on our UKG Pro team.
- Assisting the team with training opportunities and help to make sure all certifications are active.
- Address the issues for two long-time support clients whom I assist when they have questions or concerns.
- Considering it an important part of my job to assist other consultants with questions and concerns and to be a sounding board for them when needed.
What is the best thing about working at HRchitect? I love the fact that HRchitect does not micro-manage. I am given a job to do and the tools I need to do it, and I have the freedom and flexibility to use my own personal style to carry out my job. This has always been the case from my first day as an HCM Implementation Services Consultant in 2018 through my role as Implementation Manager and now my new role as Director, UKG Pro Services.
In the past five years, what project are you most proud of? I have worked on many projects and learned so much from each one, but I am particularly proud of two support clients assigned to me when I first started working at HRchitect. I am thrilled that I have worked with them for over six years. I am proud of my relationships with these clients and their trust in me with their UKG system advice.
What’s been one of your favorite destinations to travel to for a client site visit, Partner conference, or HRchitect event? I enjoyed HRchitect bringing the entire team to Las Vegas to celebrate our 25th year in business. It was fantastic to meet all my coworkers in person.
What has been your favorite place to visit on vacation? I have to say my last vacation was my favorite, but I always say that. I went to Norway and Iceland in September and finally saw the Northern Lights!
As part of a team that works 100% virtually, what technology or collaboration tools do you use to make your work life easier? I love using Slack. I am a big fan of collaboration with our teams, and Slack enables us to connect quickly with my team for consultations on project work. Slack is also an excellent replacement for the office water cooler. We have channels for bookworms, recipes, health and fitness, and gardening, where we can all chat and share information, advice, and photos.
Which employee perk that HRchitect offers do you enjoy the most? Why? I love the generous PTO (Paid Time Off (No accruals / No waiting period). Some companies have accrual policies where you earn a set number of days a month and have to wait until you have enough days to take a week’s vacation. At HRchitect, we have no restrictions and can take a reasonable amount of PTO during our first year without accruing hours.
We are always looking for talented people to join our award-winning team. For more information, be sure to check out our Careers page.
Check out some of Laura’s client testimonials:
I’m very pleased with the level of service I’ve been provided so far. Payroll Manager – Healthcare industry
You’re the best Laura, thank you! – Payroll Manager – Healthcare industry
Thanks again for the herculean effort to get this completed by yesterday. We were able to route and get approvals today and are all set for tomorrow. You rock! – Sr. People Operations Manager, Healthcare industry
We certainly miss your expertise here! –Sr. Manager | Core Post-Live Consulting | UKG | Healthcare industry
I think that HRchitect would be lost without you! – Mgr, PHR, CEBS | Product Solutions Support | UKG | Healthcare industry
You are the best! – Payroll Manager, Healthcare industry