NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

COLORADO

NETWORKING EVENTS

CHAPTER TEAM:

Sureyya Kennedy, Bank of America

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

Amy Reback, Edelweiss Consulting

CONTACT THE CHAPTER TEAM

WELCOME TO THE COLORADO CHAPTER

This local chapter community is dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources to help members develop their skills, expand their networks, and make a positive impact in their communities. You will have access to a wide range of valuable resources and opportunities including educational sessions and networking events.

SUBSCRIBE TO CHAPTER NEWSLETTER - COMING SOON!

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

22 April 2026, 7 - 11:59pm CDT

25TH GEO AWARDS

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types

Global

ATTEND THE 25TH GEO AWARDS GALA

Join the global share plan community in Austin, Texas on 22 April 2026 as we celebrate the 25th GEO Awards.

This milestone event will take place in the Lone Star Ballroom of the JW Marriott Austin, where we will honor the most innovative and impactful share plan and executive compensation strategies from around the world.

The celebration continues with an exclusive after party at The Edge rooftop, offering spectacular views and the perfect setting to connect with peers and friends across the GEO community.

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

MORE INFORMATION

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

21 April 2026, 7am - 23 April 2026, 5pm CDT

GEO'S 27TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types

Global

JOIN THE GLOBAL SHARE PLAN COMMUNITY AT GEO'S 27TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

On 21 - 23 April 2026 more than 350+ global share plan and executive compensation professionals, company directors, senior managers, stock plan, HR, reward and benefits professionals will fill the halls at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas.

Our flagship conference is where the best equity minds meet. It brings together academics, thought leaders, stock plan experts and policy makers from across the globe to explore best practice in equity compensation and work together to drive a vision for future employee share ownership.

Unlock a world of possibilities – igniting inspiration regardless of your experience!

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

MORE INFORMATION

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

19 March 2026, 5:30 - 7:30pm EDT

ATLANTA CHAPTER MEETING

Atlanta, GA

Trending now

All plan types

USA

JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ATLANTA CHAPTER MEETING OF 2026

Kick off the year with an interactive discussion exploring the evolution of Rule 10b5-1 trading plans—where they originated, how they’ve changed, and what those changes mean in practice today.

This session will break down what a 10b5-1 trading plan is, the regulatory backdrop behind its original design, and how recent mandates have reshaped their implementation and use.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

The core mechanics of 10b5-1 trading plans and the historical context that shaped their original intent
How recent regulatory developments have significantly changed plan requirements, governance, and reporting
Practical strategies for navigating today’s landscape—balancing compliance while still meeting executive needs

LOCATION
OpenArc Corporate Advisory Office
One Phipps Plaza
6th Floor
3550 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

Thank you to our host:

LIVE WEBCAST

17 February 2026, 1 - 2pm EST

FROM ADMINISTRATOR TO ADVISOR: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE EQUITY LEADER

Sponsored by insightsoftware

Trending now

All plan types

Global

ASIA-PAC: 17 February- 8am HKT I 11am AEDT I 3:30pm IST (India)
EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST: 17 February - 10am or 6pm GMT | 11am or 7pm CET | 12pm IST (Israel)
THE AMERICAS: 16 February - 4pm PT | 7pm ET or 17 February - 10am PT | 12pm CT | 1pm ET

The role of the equity professional is rapidly transforming. Once viewed primarily as plan administrators and reactive problem solvers, today’s equity leaders are stepping into far more strategic positions—serving as trusted advisors, cross-functional connectors, and educators across the enterprise. As companies place greater emphasis on talent strategy, retention, and long-term value creation, equity leaders are increasingly influencing conversations at the highest levels of the business.

In this session, speakers will explore how equity professionals can move beyond execution and into a more proactive, advisory role—guiding executives on strategic decisions, anticipating challenges, and translating complex equity concepts into clear, business-relevant insights. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on how to elevate their influence, build enterprise-wide equity literacy, and position equity as a critical driver of informed decision-making across all levels of the company.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Understand how the equity leader role is evolving from administrator to strategic advisor, coordinator, and educator
Learn practical ways to drive cross-functional collaboration and increase equity literacy among executives and key stakeholders
Identify strategies to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive guidance that supports better decisions and stronger company outcomes

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.0 credits *CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only.

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST

Members: Free access — Live and on-demand
Non-members: $85 per webcast — Live and on-demand

Unlock unlimited access! Join GEO from just $350/year and watch every webcast free—live or on-demand plus more member perks!

ARTICLE

1 November 2025

UNLOCKING HIDDEN VALUE WITHIN YOUR ESOP PROGRAM

Sprintax Dividends

Design and strategy

Stock options

Global

Employee Stock Ownership Plans and other forms of equity compensation have become essential tools for attracting, retaining, and aligning top talent. Once limited to senior executives, these programs are now widely used across job levels and geographies, reflecting a broader shift toward long-term incentives and ownership driven culture.

But for all the attention paid to plan design, grant size, and vesting schedules, a critical part of the employee experience often goes unnoticed: dividend income, and more specifically, how much of it is silently lost to Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT).

In this whitepaper, you’ll explore:
• What DWT is and why it’s often overlooked in ESOP administration
• How recovery works and what’s legally reclaimable
• The strategic upside of integrating DWT recovery into your total rewards model
• Practical implementation options that minimize administrative burden
• A powerful DWT reclaim impact study, demonstrating the scale of opportunity

CONTRIBUTED BY SPRINTAX DIVIDENDS

Online Content Disclaimer

ARTICLE

11 February 2026

MINERALYS THERAPEUTICS REPORTS INDUCEMENT AWARDS UNDER NASDAQ LISTING RULE 5635(C)(4)

Stock Titan

USA

Mineralys Therapeutics (Nasdaq: MLYS) announced that it granted inducement equity awards on February 9, 2026, to two new non-executive employees under its 2025 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The awards consist of stock options covering 33,504 shares and 25,128 restricted stock units (RSUs). The stock options vest over four years with 25% vesting after one year and monthly installments thereafter, while the RSUs vest in equal 25% installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the vesting commencement date.

READ ARTICLE

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

11 February 2026, 4:40 - 6:40pm PST

NORCAL ANNUAL WINTER SOCIAL

San Francisco, CA

Trending now

All plan types

USA

NORCAL ANNUAL WINTER SOCIAL

The GEO NorCal Chapter wishes you a happy, healthy, and successful New Year!

To kick off 2026 together, we are delighted to invite you to our Annual Winter Social, taking place in person on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, at the Harborview Restaurant in the downtown San Francisco Financial District.

Join us for an evening of great conversation, networking, and celebration as we reconnect and start the year on a high note. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating the beginning of another exciting year for our NorCal community.

We hope to see you there!

The GEO NorCal Chapter Team

LOCATION:
Harbourview Restaurant
4 Embarcadero Center,
Street Level Drumm Street &, Sacramento St,
San Francisco, CA 94111

We hope to see you there!

The GEO NorCal Chapter Team

SPONSORED BY

ARTICLE

10 February 2026

DECODING ESOPS: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

EU-Startups

USA

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have evolved from niche incentives to strategic tools that align employee success with company growth, helping startups and scaleups attract talent, retain key personnel, and maintain a strong ownership culture. ESOPs are most effective in fast-growing, pre-profit companies with a focus on retention and fostering an “owner-minded” workforce, and they require careful design, including choice of plan type, pool size, vesting schedules, and legal structure. Beyond administration, successful ESOPs depend on clear communication and transparency, allowing employees to see the value of their equity and feel personally invested in the company’s long-term success.

READ ARTICLE

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

19 March 2026, 3 - 5pm EDT

NEW YORK CHAPTER MEETING

New York, NY

USA

Navigating Total Rewards Compliance in a Changing Regulatory Landscape

Going public brings a host of new tax and compliance challenges that impact not only equity compensation, but also the broader total rewards landscape. This session explores the most pressing issues facing newly public companies, including Section 409A compliance, 401(k) plan administration, election timing, next-day deposit requirements, benefits compliance, and the complexities of golden parachute and airplane calculations in executive compensation.

The discussion will focus on practical approaches and strategic considerations for equity, compensation, and benefits, rather than the finer technical details, and KPMG will provide perspectives on health and welfare, and 401(k) compliance, ensuring coverage of the full spectrum of total rewards. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to optimize compliance and anticipate challenges, regardless of their company’s stage or size.

Stay for the networking reception

The session will conclude at 5:00 pm with a cocktail reception hosted by KPMG at its new U.S. headquarters. Attendees are invited to stay and enjoy panoramic views as the city transitions from day to night while networking with peers and industry experts.

LOCATION
KPMG's NEW US Headquarters
Two Manhattan West
375 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

GEO members in your area can come together to engage in meaningful discussions, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with fellow members who share similar interests via GEOconnect. Whether you're a long-time member or a newcomer, we encourage you to participate and contribute to the vibrant discussions happening here.

VIEW CHAPTER Discussion BOARD

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Access details of past local events and their materials. Whether you missed an event or want to revisit the content, our community discussion board provides a platform to access event information, including presentations, videos, and discussions.

COMING SOON

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

Explore the GEO Insights area, where you can filter by region to access the latest events, articles, survey findings, and reports. Stay updated with the latest information and insights specific to your region, and gain valuable knowledge from our curated content.

View regional news & resources

AVAILABLE TO GEOS MEMBER ONLY

NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

CHAPTER TEAM:

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

WELCOME TO THE COLORADO CHAPTER

REGIONAL RESOURCES

Navigating Total Rewards Compliance in a Changing Regulatory Landscape

Stay for the networking reception

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

The future of global share ownership