MEET EMMA…
In the payroll industry, longevity brings something special, long-term relationships, trusted partnerships, and the privilege of working alongside people who continuously raise the standard of the profession.
For PENNI, one of those people is Emma, whose expertise and leadership have shaped more than a decade of collaboration with our co-founder, Bree Abbott.
Their professional relationship began more than ten years ago, when Emma engaged Bree on a payroll recruitment project. Even in those early conversations, Emma stood out. She brought a rare combination of operational depth, strong people leadership, and an ability to break down complex issues into simple, actionable solutions. What started as a single project evolved into a long-term partnership grounded in shared values and a common vision for what great payroll looks like.
With over 15 years of experience across large, multi-layered organisations such as Mondelez, RACV and Bapcor, Emma has led major payroll and HR shared services transformations. Her work spans high-impact projects including system upgrades, national implementations, HRIS transitions, and the redesign of critical payroll processes.
Her technical breadth covers platforms such as UKG Pro, Workday, Kronos, ServiceNow and Chris21, and she has repeatedly delivered programs that strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and create sustainable governance frameworks. From award interpretation to the development of end-to-end controls, Emma brings clarity to environments where accuracy and accountability are essential.
But it’s Emma’s approach that truly sets her apart…
She leads with a balance of strategic insight and hands-on practicality, able to see the big picture while staying connected to the people and processes that shape day-to-day operations. Her teams describe her as someone who listens first, solves problems collaboratively, and builds confidence in even the most challenging periods of change.
At PENNI, Emma draws on her deep operational experience to support clients in creating payroll functions that are transparent, efficient and future-ready. Her focus is always the same: structure, stability and sustainable improvement.
Emma is more than a senior leader in payroll and HR shared services, she is a trusted partner, a mentor, and a driving force behind PENNI’s commitment to lifting standards across the industry.
We’re incredibly proud to have her as part of the PENNI team. Quite simply, PENNI wouldn’t be PENNI without Emma.