Northern California | Global Equity Organization

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LIVE WEBCAST

14 August 2025, 1 - 2pm EDT

Bridging the Talent Gap in Equity Management: Smart Strategies for a Stronger Future

Donna Bell, insightsoftware
Michael Mauro, insightsoftware

Design and strategy

Employee engagement

All plan types

Global

The equity compensation industry is facing a critical talent shortage—with more than 60% of finance teams struggling to hire qualified professionals and a shrinking pool of experienced talent creating long-term risks for business continuity. This timely webinar explores how organizations can proactively address this challenge by developing scalable strategies to attract, grow, and retain top equity talent.

Join us to discover how strategic career development, succession planning, and emerging technologies can future-proof your equity programs and ensure long-term success. Whether you're leading a team or building one, walk away with proven approaches to elevate your equity function in a competitive market.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

Understand the root causes of the talent gap and how it's impacting equity functions across industries
Explore practical strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining skilled equity professionals
Learn how to leverage automation and technology to optimize workflows and reduce dependency on hard-to-fill roles

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.

ATTENDEE COST:
Members: $0
Non-Members - $85

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

WATCH THE WEBCAST

ARTICLE

14 August 2025

‘BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL’ AFFECTS TAX PLANNING FOR STOCK OPTIONS AND RSUS

Forbes

Finance, tax and accounting

All plan types

USA

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA) brings several tax changes that affect equity compensation, including raising the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029, though the benefit phases out for incomes above $500,000. It also alters Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) rules beginning in 2026, making it more likely high earners exercising incentive stock options will trigger the AMT. Additionally, the law expands Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) benefits and shortens holding periods for capital gains exclusions, while adding new limits on charitable deductions starting in 2026.

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ARTICLE

13 August 2025

WHY CFOS MUST STOP TREATING COMPENSATION AS A COST

CFO Dive

Finance, tax and accounting

All plan types

Global

CFOs should stop viewing compensation purely as a cost and instead treat it as a strategic investment aligned with business goals, using data-driven approaches that balance base pay, variable pay, equity, and benefits. A comprehensive compensation strategy helps retain top performers, manage underperformers, and attract talent even in uncertain markets, avoiding the costly turnover and inefficiencies of reactive, boom-and-bust pay tactics. By leveraging market intelligence and flexible incentives, companies can maximize the value of every compensation dollar and build resilience through economic cycles.

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ARTICLE

8 August 2025

EQUITY COMPENSATION FOR STARTUPS AND EARLY-STAGE EMPLOYEES

Ann Arbor SPARK

Private and pre-IPO companies

All plan types

Global

Equity compensation is a key tool for startups to attract and retain talent while conserving cash, offering employees ownership stakes that align their incentives with the company’s long-term success. Common forms include restricted stock awards (RSAs) and stock options (ISOs and NSOs), each with different tax treatments, benefits, and risks. While equity can motivate employees and provide significant financial upside, it also introduces legal, tax, and administrative complexities, making careful plan design and professional guidance essential.

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

1 October 2025, 11am - 1pm CDT

GEO TEXAS CHAPTER

Austin, TX

Trending now

All plan types

USA

TEXAS FALL ROADSHOW

EQUITY EXCELLENCE: STRATEGIC EQUITY PLAN DESIGN AND YEAR-END EXECUTION

Join us this fall for this great session, presented by Stock & Option Solutions! We're offering three convenient dates and locations to make it easy for you to attend. This session will guide you through the best practices for designing and managing effective equity compensation plans that attract top talent and align with your organization's goals. We'll cover essential considerations like plan structure, grant types, vesting schedules, and participant communication.

You'll also get a comprehensive guide to year-end administration, including critical timelines, compliance requirements, tax considerations, and strategies for efficient reporting. Leave with actionable insights to optimize your equity programs and ensure a smooth year-end close.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Learn to design equity plans that attract talent and meet business objectives.
Master key aspects of plan structure, grants, and clear communication.
Navigate year-end administration, compliance, and reporting with confidence.

There is no cost to attend and members and non-member are free to join, but registration is required.

LOCATION
UBS Financial Services
98 San Jacinto Blvd
#600
Austin, Texas 78701
(UBS First Floor Conference Room)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

REGISTER

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

18 September 2025, 11am - 1pm MST

GEO SOUTHWEST CHAPTER MEETING

Scottsdale, AZ

Trending now

All plan types

USA

PLANNING FOR THE 2026 ANNUAL EQUITY GRANT

We’re excited to welcome you to the inaugural Southwest Chapter meeting!

As we head into fall, it’s time to start planning for your 2026 equity grants. In this webcast, we discuss emerging trends and best practices in plan design and administration, as well as key forecasting considerations across share pool, expense, and dilution.

Join us for this kickoff chapter meeting as we explore the evolving proxy landscape and share best practices to help you stay ahead.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

How to prepare for the rapidly approaching proxy season
Why cross-functional collaboration is essential for proxy success
Best practices for managing evolving proxy requirements

LOCATION:
Equity Methods Office
8801 E Raintree Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Lunch and dessert provided by Flower Child.

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

CPE Credit is available:
Learning Objectives:

Planning and goal-setting considerations against a backdrop of market uncertainty
Trends in LTI designs and retirement eligibility
Tips on handling the administration of annual grant issuances and settlements
A deep dive on forecasting stock-based compensation to avoid future surprises
Share pool tracking so you’re ahead of the game

CPE Credits: 1.0
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: none required
Prerequisites: none required
Additional CPE details

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IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

2 October 2025, 3:30 - 5pm CDT

GEO TEXAS CHAPTER

Houston, TX

Trending now

All plan types

USA

TEXAS FALL ROADSHOW

EQUITY EXCELLENCE: STRATEGIC EQUITY PLAN DESIGN AND YEAR-END EXECUTION

Join us this fall for this great session, presented by Stock & Option Solutions! We're offering three convenient dates and locations to make it easy for you to attend. This session will guide you through the best practices for designing and managing effective equity compensation plans that attract top talent and align with your organization's goals. We'll cover essential considerations like plan structure, grant types, vesting schedules, and participant communication.

You'll also get a comprehensive guide to year-end administration, including critical timelines, compliance requirements, tax considerations, and strategies for efficient reporting. Leave with actionable insights to optimize your equity programs and ensure a smooth year-end close.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Learn to design equity plans that attract talent and meet business objectives.
Master key aspects of plan structure, grants, and clear communication.
Navigate year-end administration, compliance, and reporting with confidence.

There is no cost to attend and members and non-member are free to join, but registration is required.

LOCATION:
UBS Financial Services
4400 Post Oak Parkway,
16th and 17th Floor
Houston, Texas 78701

HAPPY HOUR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
4224 San Felipe St
Houston, Texas 77027

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

REGISTER

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

30 September 2025, 11am - 1pm CDT

GEO TEXAS CHAPTER

Dallas, TX

Trending now

All plan types

USA

TEXAS FALL ROADSHOW

EQUITY EXCELLENCE: STRATEGIC EQUITY PLAN DESIGN AND YEAR-END EXECUTION

Join us this fall for this great session, presented by Stock & Option Solutions! We're offering three convenient dates and locations to make it easy for you to attend. This session will guide you through the best practices for designing and managing effective equity compensation plans that attract top talent and align with your organization's goals. We'll cover essential considerations like plan structure, grant types, vesting schedules, and participant communication.

You'll also get a comprehensive guide to year-end administration, including critical timelines, compliance requirements, tax considerations, and strategies for efficient reporting. Leave with actionable insights to optimize your equity programs and ensure a smooth year-end close.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Learn to design equity plans that attract talent and meet business objectives.
Master key aspects of plan structure, grants, and clear communication.
Navigate year-end administration, compliance, and reporting with confidence.

There is no cost to attend and members and non-member are free to join, but registration is required.

LOCATION
UBS Financial Services
100 Crescent Court #400
Dallas, Texas 75201

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

REGISTER

ARTICLE

4 August 2025

SHARE PLAN ACT OFFERS 3% TAX REDUCTION FOR GIVING STOCK TO LOWER-PAID EMPLOYEES

NCEO

USA

The bipartisan SHARE Plan Act would give US companies with 500 or more employees a 3% corporate tax rate reduction if they grant stock at no cost to the lowest-paid 80% of their workforce, excluding top earners. Companies qualify by distributing at least 1% of their stock in a given year or 5% cumulatively, with stock grants subject to vesting but required to fully vest within five years and be freely transferable once vested. While the bill could significantly expand broad-based employee ownership, its success depends on whether the tax incentive outweighs the costs for companies, and its large potential budget impact may challenge passage.

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