Julie Fernandez joined herronpalmer to help grow a people-first organization that shares her passion for helping others navigate the many ways to combine technology and services in HR.
“You can’t fake a people-first culture, and herronpalmer has it. This is something HR leaders around the globe are trying to create in their own workforce. It is more than the technologies we choose.”
With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in HR technology, outsourcing, and operating models, Julie is recognized globally as a top advisor leading HR transformation with and for her clients. She links people, technology, and process together in new and better ways.
“Every HR transformation is a story in the making. Connecting HR professionals to those stories and to each other is at the core of what I get to do every day.”
Julie particularly admires HR innovations such as pay-on-demand, process automation, and talent mobility solutions tailored for today’s “digital nomad.” She believes that every business challenge warrants a case for change, aiming for genuine efficiencies, savings, and achievable outcomes.
“Innovation without an actionable business case is just a lot of noise and snake oil. No matter the size, I would rather be right in the thick of turning vision into reality.”
In her clients and colleagues, Julie admires candor. She strives to demonstrate this admirable quality in her own work.
“Being truthful, direct, and forthright comes easy when things are rosy and those nearest are likeminded. Having the strength to be authentic with difficult times and messages is something I aspire to bring to the table every day.”
As a thought leader and relentless creator, Julie speaks, writes, and podcasts about HR technology and experience, shared services, global HR and payroll provider markets, and more. You can learn more about her career and follow her frequent and super-useful updates on LinkedIn.
Julie’s first experience as an employee …
“I spent more than a decade waiting tables in a local diner, treating it as a training ground for my own people skills. An introvert by nature, I learned that teamwork and relationships can increase my personal success and that every conversation follows its own path. I loved it so much; I continued moonlighting on weekends well after starting my first consulting job.”
When Julie’s not working …
“I am happiest with family or on an adventure. So, putting the two together creates experiences that energize me. Road trips and world travel have been a special part of finding love, raising kids, and making memories.”
A proud moment for Julie …
“Going from classroom French to a college year in Paris was my first experience with speaking another language fluently and creating a life for myself that was different from how I was raised. That was so rewarding, I took on Spanish in my adult years, raising my kids bilingual and full of Mexican culture.”
What does Julie want to be when she grows up?
Like most of us, she’d like to be retired, but …
“Frankly, I’m too young and what we do is still too much fun!”
Something cool about Julie’s approach to life …
She and her husband Mike had both been married before. Just once. Now, the two of them marry one another again and again, renewing their vows every year and always in a new place.
“My favorite was on the beach in Aruba for the Caribbean’s largest renewal of vows event. You might say I’m a 12-time bride with a track record for 11 successful marriages!”