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A FIRST-CLASS VIRTUAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Billy Billingham
BILLY BILLINGHAM MBE

Decorated Military Leader. Bodyguard. Best-Selling Author. TV Personality. Speaker.

There is not much Billy Billingham MBE QCB can't do!

With more than 20 years of military leadership, including executing strategic operations in places including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and Africa, Billy has experienced what it takes to be mentally tough.

As a result of his bravery, he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery and MBE by Queen Elizabeth II.

Join Billy as he brings his experiences to GEO's audience to educate and enthral those seeking how to combat challenges and hardships the SAS way!

INSIGHTFUL AND INSPIRING BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Access on-demand recordings.of the event's 20 live sessions that span six subject tracks and 30 'Best of Edinburgh' highest-rated sessions from GEO's 24th Annual Conference.

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Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Operational effectiveness
5.2 Payroll Pitfalls in Equity Compensation: Lessons from the Trenches

Derek Lambert, EY (US)
Oksana Lapii, EY (US)
Sam George, Lyft (US)
Rachel Ulep, eBay (US)

Global
BREAKOUT V

Processing equity compensation through payroll systems can be complex, and even small errors can have significant consequences. This practical session is designed for stock plan administration professionals to explore the intersection of payroll operations and equity management. Using real-world case studies and expert insights, participants will learn how common mistakes happen, why they occur, and, most importantly, how to prevent them. 

The session will cover compliance challenges, risk mitigation strategies, best practices for seamless execution, and the unique complexities of cross-border equity processing, including system limitations, pay code configurations, and manual overrides. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to safeguard operations, optimize performance, and turn challenges into opportunities for process improvement.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn where mistakes typically occur in equity processing and practical strategies to prevent them.
  • Gain insights into handling global payroll challenges, including system limitations, pay codes, manual adjustments, and compliance requirements.
  • Explore best practices for streamlining workflows, ensuring compliance, and reducing operational risk in equity administration.
LOCATION:
JW Grand Salon 2
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Employee engagement
Legal and regulatory
Operational effectiveness
5.3 Navigating Asia’s Evolving Equity Landscape: Compliance and Engagement

Kela Shang, Baker McKenzie (US)
Lindsay Minnis, Baker McKenzie (US)
Michelle Wilkinson Wong, Palo Alto Networks (US)
 

Japan
BREAKOUT V

Asia’s equity landscape is shifting rapidly, with new regulatory reforms, foreign exchange restrictions, and tax developments reshaping how companies design and deliver employee share plans. From China’s evolving SAFE framework to India’s changing exchange control rules and Japan’s flexible securities law exemptions, issuers face both challenges and opportunities as they balance compliance with engagement.
 

This session will provide practical strategies for implementing equity programs across major Asian markets. Panelists will share real-world examples and best practices, highlighting how companies are navigating regulatory complexity while creating culturally resonant, sustainable programs that deliver meaningful employee experiences. Attendees will gain actionable insights to drive compliance, engagement, and efficiency in their global equity operations.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • How regulatory and tax developments across major Asian markets impact share plan design and delivery.
  • Strategies for navigating cross-border compliance while maintaining employee engagement.
  • Practical approaches to implementing sustainable and culturally aligned equity programs.
LOCATION:
JW Grand Salon 3
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Tax
Level:
I
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Data and business intelligence
Design and strategy
5.4 Employee Ownership in Focus: Insights from Rutgers

Bill Castellano, Rutgers University (US)
Dr. Joseph Blasi, Rutgers University (US)

Global
USA
BREAKOUT V

Discover the latest insights on employee ownership and equity compensation in this session led by the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing, the global leader in equity research. Drawing on the largest studies ever conducted in the U.S., this session explores how equity is distributed, who participates in these programs, and the impact of employee ownership on both organizational and employee outcomes.
 

Attendees will gain a data-driven perspective on trends in equity participation and the strategic value of employee ownership, along with practical implications for designing and enhancing equity programs.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how equity is distributed across organizations and which employees are participating in equity programs.
  • Explore the strategic, financial, and cultural effects of employee ownership on workforce engagement and company performance.
  • Gain actionable takeaways for structuring and enhancing equity programs based on rigorous research findings.
LOCATION:
JW Grand Salon 4
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Design and strategy
Employee engagement
5.5 Future Leaders of Global Equity: Turning Research into a Strategic Case

Joseph Fish, Infinite Equity (US)
Vanda Kiss, Nokia (NL)
Alisha Hom, Applied Intuition (US)
Elliot Alexander, Computershare (UK)
Amy Henry, The Coca-Cola Company (IE)

Global
BREAKOUT V

Join the inaugural class of the Future Leaders of Global Equity as they explore the real business case for equity compensation. Drawing on fresh survey data, broader industry research, and insights from the thought leadership paper Making the Business Case for Equity-Based Compensation: A Practical Framework for Driving Equity Adoption, this forward-looking session goes beyond fundamentals to deliver a structured, outcome-driven approach to equity strategy.

Designed for practitioners ready to elevate their impact, this session provides a practical framework for aligning equity programs directly with organizational strategy, talent philosophy, and measurable business outcomes. From accelerating high-impact performance and supporting global expansion to strengthening retention and fostering an ownership-driven culture, you’ll learn how to clearly articulate and defend your equity strategy in today’s complex environment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Build a clear, evidence-backed business case for equity using financial, talent, and cultural performance data.
  • Align discretionary and broad-based equity programs with broader corporate strategy and measurable outcomes.
  • Navigate global complexity and participant education challenges to maximize adoption and ROI.
LOCATION:
JW Grand Salon 5
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Communications
Design and strategy
Operational effectiveness
5.6 Fresh Perspectives in Equity Compensation: A Roundtable on Innovation and Impact

Robyn Shutak, FGE, Infinite Equity (US)
Jennifer Shepherd Cashio, Flex International (US)
Rebecca Kargl, FGE, Upstart (US)
Tierney Dowling, Reddit (US)
Vicky Phrydas, FGE, UBS (US)
Christy Browning, Dell (US)

Global
BREAKOUT V

The world of equity compensation is evolving rapidly—and some of the most meaningful innovation comes not from new tools or plan designs, but from shared experience and open dialogue. This interactive roundtable brings together industry peers to exchange ideas, compare approaches, and discuss what’s next for equity compensation.

Through candid conversation, participants will explore emerging trends in plan design, communication, and administration, while tackling the real-world challenges stock plan professionals face today. From simplifying complexity to increasing employee engagement, this session is designed to surface practical solutions and fresh perspectives drawn directly from those in the trenches.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Gain insight into the latest developments in equity plan design, communication, and administration.
  • Learn strategies to address operational, compliance, and engagement challenges faced by stock plan professionals.
  • Exchange real-world experiences and creative approaches with fellow equity compensation practitioners to inspire new solutions.
LOCATION:
401
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Design and strategy
Operational effectiveness
5.7 In Charge at Last: What Leaders Would Change If They Could

Carine Schneider, FGE, Compass Strategic Advisors (US)
Brian McDonald, Grantd (US)
Billy Vitense, Starbucks (US)
Suzie Bentley, NVIDIA (US)

Global
BREAKOUT V

What would global equity programs look like if seasoned stock plan professionals were truly “in charge”? This interactive panel brings together highly experienced practitioners to explore the changes they would make—and the decisions they would rethink. 
Drawing on more than 100 years of combined experience, panelists will share candid perspectives on what works, what doesn’t, and what they would redesign if given the opportunity. Attendees can expect an honest, thought-provoking conversation grounded in lived experience and informed by today’s evolving global landscape.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Gain insight into how experienced professionals would approach decisions differently if starting with a clean slate.
  • Understand where real-world challenges arise between policy, regulation, and day-to-day administration—and how seasoned leaders would address them.
  • Take away practical advice, common pitfalls to avoid, and forward-looking recommendations informed by over a century of collective expertise.
     
LOCATION:
402
CPA CREDIT:
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Level:
O
Thursday, 12 Nov 2026, 15:30 - 16:30
5.1 Broadening Equity Ownership Beyond the Executive Population

Barry McKernan, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions
Issuer TBC

Global
BREAKOUT V

Extending discretionary equity beyond executives can help organizations build a broader ownership culture and connect employees at every level with long-term value creation. This session examines the practical experience of designing and delivering an inclusive global shareholding framework for non-executive, non-desk-based, and blue-collar employees, including local adaptation, financial education, regulatory requirements, and employee engagement at factory-floor level.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Identify design considerations for extending discretionary equity to broader employee populations.
  • Assess how local regulation, financial education, and accessibility can affect inclusive plan delivery.
  • Evaluate practical approaches for building employee ownership across different roles, locations, and workforce groups.
LOCATION:
Monument
Thursday, 12 Nov 2026, 15:30 - 16:30
5.2 Prioritising Compliance Resources Across Global Equity Plans

Cesarea Sanchez, Sanoma
Mathew Hunter, Tapestry
Matt Connor, FGE, Lucid Motors
Jaime Pavia, Cuatrecasas

Choice plans
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Equity deferral
Executive plans
Stock appreciation rights (SAR)
Stock options
Global
BREAKOUT V

Global equity compliance is rarely a simple choice between complete compliance everywhere and no compliance at all. Issuers must assess differing risks, costs, objectives, and stakeholder priorities across jurisdictions. This session examines how organizations can evaluate the global risk landscape, compare the costs of compliance and non-compliance, and determine where compliance resources can deliver the greatest impact.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Identify the principal risks and objectives that influence global equity compliance decisions.
  • Assess the relative costs and consequences of compliance and non-compliance across jurisdictions.
  • Evaluate approaches for prioritising compliance resources across legal, tax, payroll, HR, and finance requirements.
LOCATION:
Fenchurch
Thursday, 12 Nov 2026, 15:30 - 16:30
5.3 The Local Advantage of Tax-Qualified Share Plans

Computershare TBC
 

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)
Global
BREAKOUT V

Local tax-qualified share plans are gaining renewed attention as organizations respond to changing workforce expectations, regulatory developments, and pressure to optimize total rewards. This session examines the market forces driving their growth and explores how organizations can incorporate locally advantaged plans into broader employee ownership and reward strategies.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Identify market and regulatory factors driving renewed interest in local tax-qualified plans.
  • Describe potential tax and reward advantages for employers and participants.
  • Evaluate how local tax-qualified plans can support broader employee ownership and total rewards strategies.
LOCATION:
Lombard