ESPPs are the most common way to share ownership, yet these plans can be surprisingly complex—and equally fascinating. Join this session to explore the top questions every equity professional should have on their radar: Are qualifying dispositions worth the wait? Can non-qualified plans be compelling and efficient? How generous should your ESPP be? How do ESPPs impact other voluntary programs? Do ESPPs really move the needle on company performance? Can an ESPP be offered globally? Attendees will leave with fresh insights and new perspectives that could reshape how they think about ESPPs.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understand the impact of qualifying dispositions and timing strategies.
• Evaluate the efficiency and appeal of non-qualified ESPPs.
• Explore considerations for offering ESPPs to a global workforce.

How do you attract, engage, and retain employees in today’s competitive environment? Boston Scientific may have the answer. By creating a fully integrated participant ecosystem—covering equity, retirement, charitable giving, and more—BSC is building deeper engagement and stronger connections with its workforce. This session will explore how Boston Scientific leverages partnerships with vendors to deliver user-centric experiences, iterate quickly through a test-and-learn approach, and transform traditional stock participant strategies into a cohesive ecosystem that drives positive results. Attendees will gain practical insights into designing engagement programs that go beyond individual plans to create meaningful, holistic participant experiences.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• User-centric design and agile approaches
• Evolving partnerships with vendors through testing, learning, and iteration
• Expanding from a stock participant strategy to a cohesive ecosystem

In today’s volatile market, navigating the journey from receiving an executive equity grant to realizing its full potential is increasingly complex. This session will explore how effective education and strategic planning can help executives and organizations manage expectations, optimize outcomes, and maximize the benefits of equity compensation. Our expert panel will examine critical considerations including tax optimization, succession planning, and regulatory compliance, providing actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty and ensure transparency throughout the equity lifecycle.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How market volatility affects executive equity compensation and strategies to manage expectations.
• The role of targeted education in aligning stakeholders and maintaining transparency.
• Strategic planning approaches to maximize equity benefits, including tax and succession planning.
• Navigating regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance from grant through vesting.

Executives face complex challenges in managing equity compensation, including navigating 10b5-1 plans, Rule 144, blackout windows, and liquidity planning. This session explores how plan administrators can leverage frameworks and best practices used by private wealth advisors to support executives holistically. Lucid Motors will share real-life experiences, highlighting practical applications of these strategies in a corporate setting. Participants will gain insights on aligning administrative operations with executive needs, optimizing equity as part of overall wealth, and supporting transitions, succession planning, and legacy considerations.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• Understanding 10b5-1 plans, Rule 144, and blackout windows, and how to support executives effectively.
• Leveraging private wealth management tools to align equity administration with executive goals.
• Strategies for managing executive equity from grant through succession, including liquidity and legacy planning.

As biotechnology firms evolve from research-focused organizations into commercial powerhouses, their equity compensation strategies must undergo a strategic shift. This session will explore the “why” and “how” of updating pre-commercial frameworks, equity vehicles, and performance metrics to align with the demands of a commercial environment. Participants will examine the challenges of balancing stakeholder expectations, maintaining executive focus, and designing equity programs that drive long-term commercial success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

• How to evolve equity compensation frameworks as biotech firms transition from research to commercial operations.
• Strategies for aligning equity vehicles and performance metrics with stakeholder priorities and commercial goals.
• Practical insights for maintaining executive focus while supporting the firm’s path to sustainable growth.