EAST COAST REGIONAL EVENT - BOSTON, MA
About
Location and hotels
Meet the speakers
Meet Elizabeth McCormick
REGISTER
AGENDA AT-A-GLANCE
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
MEET THE SPEAKERS
HEAR FROM ELIZABETH MCCORMICK

Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025
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AGENDA AT-A-GLANCE - SUBJECT TO CHANGE

8.00

Registration opens

8.00 - 9.00

Networking breakfast

9.00 - 10.15

Welcome and keynote speaker

10.15 - 10.30

Morning break

10.30 - 11.20

Breakout session I

Roundtable discussions - No CPE credits available

This is your chance to jump into the conversation. Led by 2–4 hosts, these sessions are designed for participation—not passive listening. Whether it’s a live QandA, a mini demo, or a debate sparked by your input, come ready to contribute, connect, and co-create the conversation.

11.20 - 11.30

Transition

11.30 - 12.20

Breakout session II

Panel presentations - CPE credits available

It’s all about the power of perspective. A group of 3–5 experts— issuers, providers, and industry leaders—sit down to unpack the big topics shaping our world. Guided by a skilled moderator, this session delivers honest insights, healthy debate, and ideas you’ll want to take back to your team.

12.20 - 13.20

Networking lunch

13.20 - 14.10

Breakout session III

Panel presentations - CPE credits available

It’s all about the power of perspective. A group of 3–5 experts— issuers, providers, and industry leaders—sit down to unpack the big topics shaping our world. Guided by a skilled moderator, this session delivers honest insights, healthy debate, and ideas you’ll want to take back to your team.

14.10 - 14.20

Transition

14.20 - 15.10

Breakout session IV

Roundtable discussions - No CPE credits available

This is your chance to jump into the conversation. Led by 2–4 hosts, these sessions are designed for participation—not passive listening. Whether it’s a live QandA, a mini demo, or a debate sparked by your input, come ready to contribute, connect, and co-create the conversation.

15.10 - 15.25

Afternoon break

15.25 - 16.15

Breakout Session V

Panel presentations - CPE credits available

It’s all about the power of perspective. A group of 3–5 experts— issuers, providers, and industry leaders—sit down to unpack the big topics shaping our world. Guided by a skilled moderator, this session delivers honest insights, healthy debate, and ideas you’ll want to take back to your team.

16.15 - 16.25

Transition

16.25 - 17.15

Breakout Session VI

Panel presentations - CPE credits available

It’s all about the power of perspective. A group of 3–5 experts— issuers, providers, and industry leaders—sit down to unpack the big topics shaping our world. Guided by a skilled moderator, this session delivers honest insights, healthy debate, and ideas you’ll want to take back to your team.

17.15 - 18.00

Closing remarks and prize draw
Networking drinks reception

MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Wednesday, 10 December 2025
09:00 - 10:15

YOU. In the Pilot's Seat.

Elizabeth McCormick

Prepare to be inspired as former U.S. Army Black Hawk Pilot Elizabeth McCormick takes the stage at GEO’s East Coast Regional Event. In her empowering keynote, YOU. In the Pilot’s Seat, Elizabeth shares the professional development secrets that helped her overcome extraordinary challenges and soar to success—both in the cockpit and beyond.

You’ll leave knowing how to:

  • Unlock your confidence to elevate your effectiveness with colleagues, customers, and even your family
  • Experience the power of language through an interactive exercise that transforms how you lead and influence others
  • Discover a key success principle while learning how to FLY a helicopter—yes, really!
  • Soar to new heights by inspiring and influencing others to lead

Through powerful stories and interactive moments, Elizabeth will show you how to unlock your confidence, harness the power of language, and elevate your impact on those around you. Learn to take control, influence others to lead, and truly put yourself in the pilot’s seat.

Don’t miss this high-energy, transformative keynote on 10 December—where YOU take the controls and soar to success.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Session timings are subject to change.

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Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 15:25 - 16:15
5.2 From Molecules to Millions: Biotech’s Transition from Lab to Market

Stephen Popowski, Aon
Karen Needham, FGE, Wave Life Sciences

Executive plans
Performance cash
Performance shares
Restricted shares
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
USA
BREAKOUT V

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.
LOCATION:
Park C
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
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Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 16:25 - 17:15
6.1 The Equity Games: Battle of the Global Stock Plans

Rob Miceli, Bank of America
David Lanka, Bank of America
Susan Ford, Cytel
Tara Hagen, FGE, Aon
Shantale Greenson, Alkermes

All plan types
Global
BREAKOUT VI

Get ready for a fresh, interactive take on the ever-evolving world of global stock plan administration. This high-energy session blends valuable learning with fast-paced fun and a little friendly competition. Participants will explore the latest updates and trends in global equity while testing their knowledge through a lively trivia challenge with fellow equity professionals. Along the way, you’ll tackle real-world scenarios, gain insights on topics ranging from global mobility strategies and ESPPs to 10b5-1 planning, Section 16 & Rule 144 filings, tax withholding, payroll optimization, 409A valuations, and financial reporting best practices. Expect practical learning, peer connection, and maybe even a prize—plus bragging rights for the trivia champs.
 

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Stay current on emerging trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in global equity.
  • Strengthen technical knowledge across compliance, administration, and reporting.
  • Apply learning in real-time through an interactive, game-based trivia format.
LOCATION:
Park A/B
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Wednesday, 10 Dec 2025, 16:25 - 17:15
6.2 Supporting Executives: Bridging Stock Plans and Private Wealth

Michael McKenzie, UBS
Oscar Contreras, Lucid Motors

Executive plans
Restricted shares
Global
BREAKOUT VI

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.
LOCATION:
Park C
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
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