From the moment Kim joined Xenium, she’s been a quiet powerhouse. In just one year, she’s become a trusted resource for so many teams across the organization—and for good reason. Her depth of knowledge, hands-on approach, and willingness to dig in and help others succeed are what make her stand out. I loved hearing more about her journey, and I’m excited to share her story with you.
What’s your role at Xenium, and how long have you been here?
I’m a Client Success Manager, and I’ve been at Xenium for one year.
Can you walk us through your career path and what led you to this industry?
Back in 2013, I worked for a small company, doing HR and payroll. We brought on a PEO, but they didn’t have anyone to train us—so I just figured it out by running payroll myself. Eventually, I asked the PEO if they were hiring since I already knew their system, and they brought me on. That’s how I got into the PEO world. Later, that PEO transitioned to PrismHR, and learning that software is what ultimately led me to Xenium.
What do you enjoy most about working in an outsourced HR and payroll model?
I love that every day is different. Even though it’s all payroll and HR, working with other clients brings new challenges. It keeps things interesting and helps me learn—especially when encountering unique situations across various businesses. There’s always something new to figure out.
What is the industry’s most significant change over the last decade?
COVID was the most significant shift. When something major like that happens, you don’t have time to ease into changes—you have to learn and adapt right away. I enjoy that part of the job—researching, testing, and figuring things out to get it right.
What challenges do you see ahead for the industry?
Political and regulatory changes will always be a hurdle. State taxes, city-specific regulations, PTO laws—it’s constantly evolving. That’s where systems need to keep improving, and we need to stay on top of it all.
Have client expectations around software changed over time?
Absolutely. The software has gotten a lot better, and updates are happening faster than they used to. But it’s still a challenge when platforms must adapt to all the city-specific regulations. I’ve seen a lot of improvement, though, especially in how quickly platforms respond to those changes.
What’s something in your career you’re especially proud of?
Learning a new payroll system from scratch and onboarding an entire book of business during a transition. I worked 18-hour days for two weeks straight, but it gave me the deep knowledge I still use today. That effort laid the foundation for where I am now.
What advice would you give someone just starting in this field?
Learn your platform inside and out. Go beyond your day-to-day tasks and explore every part of the system—even the demo environment. Click around, test things, and use your resources (especially the help guides). The more you know, the more valuable you become—and the less you rely on others to find answers.
How do you think clients would describe working with you?
They’d say I’m thorough, reliable, and easy to work with. I try to teach them, not just give answers. A lot of clients come directly to me because they know I’ll help them find the right solution.
What do you enjoy about being a resource to many Xenium teams?
I really enjoy helping people learn and grow. I want to be a trusted resource—not just someone who gives an answer but helps others understand. I try to challenge people a little so they can think it through and deepen their knowledge. That kind of learning sticks.
What are your goals for the future?
I’d love to move into leadership. In my last role, I supported the company at that level, and I hope to have that kind of impact. At Xenium, I feel like I’ve built a strong reputation as a go-to person, and I’d like to keep building on that—helping more people and taking on more responsibility.
What do you wish more people understood about working in this industry?
I wish people knew more about the complexities behind payroll—like how banking works, what’s involved in hiring someone in another state, and how regulations apply to their business. A lot of business owners just don’t realize what’s required until they run into it. That’s why having a partner like Xenium is so valuable.
Did you expect to end up in this field?
Not at all! I never thought I’d be in payroll or HR, but here I am, more than a decade later. I have a business degree, so that background helps, especially when understanding what business owners go through. This path was the right one, after all.
Kim, thank you for being a cornerstone of the team. Your dedication, depth of knowledge, and passion for helping others truly set you apart.