The future of work is changing rapidly, and so are the expectations for HR professionals surrounding their policies and procedures. On September 26, the Pittsburgh Technology Council hosted “Winning Talent Together: Pay Transparency & Equity” at their Nova Place headquarters, bringing together HR leaders, legal experts, and risk specialists to discuss how companies can move beyond compliance and utilize transparency as a competitive advantage.
SoftWriters was proud to see our Director of People and Culture, Jackie Zyra, featured as one of the panelists at this important event. With over 15 years of HR leadership experience across global organizations, Jackie brought a candid, practical perspective on how HR leaders can approach pay transparency as both a challenge and an opportunity.
At SoftWriters, Jackie leads with a holistic vision for people and culture—one that connects every aspect of the employee experience, from hiring and development to engagement, equity, and leadership growth. Her data-driven and people-centered approach ensures that HR strategies don’t just meet compliance standards but actively drive organizational success.
At the event, Jackie emphasized that pay transparency is only one piece of a much larger picture.
“Create a full framework that includes pay transparency, but also includes talent management and other things in HR,” Jackie shared. “It’s not just one thing that drives employees; it’s everything working together.”
Her perspective reflects the philosophy that guides her HR work at SoftWriters: building a thriving culture takes intention, alignment, and a clear framework that empowers both employees and the business to grow together.
Jackie also emphasized the importance of conducting regular pay equity audits, particularly in fast-paced industries like technology.
“Pay changes happen fast, especially in tech. Salaries change, or candidates’ expectations are different than yours,” she explained. “Pay equity audits need to become a regular process. Partner with your finance and leadership teams so it’s not a one-off and you’re not always playing catch-up.”
She noted that one of the best outcomes of transparent pay practices is greater efficiency in the hiring process, which helps employers and candidates align their expectations earlier.
The panel also included Valerie S. Faeth, Shareholder at Dentons (far left), who provided legal insights on compliance and regulatory updates, and Jeff Barbieri, Director of ESG at AON (second from left), who spoke about proactive communication and risk management. Together, the panelists emphasized that pay transparency is not just a compliance requirement, but also an opportunity to build trust, foster a strong culture, and attract top talent.
As Jackie (second from right) put it: “One of the best things that can come from pay transparency is that you actually have efficiency in the hiring process.”
The event was hosted by Marie Pelloni (far right), Sr. Director, Talent and Workforce Development Initiatives at Pittsburgh Technology Council and Fortyx80.
Jackie’s participation in Winning Talent Together underscores SoftWriters’ commitment to fostering an equitable and forward-thinking workplace. This holds true, not only within our own organization, but also across the broader Pittsburgh innovation community.
We’re proud to see Jackie representing SoftWriters and sharing her expertise with other leaders in the region, helping shift the conversation from “How do we comply?” to “How do we thrive? This ultimately means transparency in the hiring process is more than just a legal requirement; it is also a cornerstone of healthy cultures and competitive advantage.
Jackie Zyra, PHR, is a strategic HR leader with over 15 years of experience driving organizational excellence. Currently Director of People and Culture at Softwriters, Inc., she previously led global HR teams at Alcoa Corporation.
Jackie specializes in talent management, succession planning, and diversity & inclusion initiatives. She has extensive experience with HR technology platforms and is known for her data-driven approach to HR decision-making. She holds a master’s in professional leadership from Carlow University and a BA in History from Westminster College.