6.1 The Equity Games: The Global Stock Plan Showdown

Global stock plan administration is evolving quickly—and staying current requires both technical depth and practical judgment. This interactive session delivers a fresh, high-energy approach to learning, combining real-world scenarios with a fast-paced trivia format that challenges participants to apply their knowledge in the moment.Attendees will test their understanding across a wide range of global equity topics, including mobility and cross-border planning, ESPP design insights, 10b5-1 plans, Section 16 and Rule 144 reporting, tax withholding and payroll coordination, 409A valuations, and financial reporting considerations. Designed to spark discussion and peer learning, this session sharpens expertise while reinforcing best practices in a memorable, engaging way.
 

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Gain up-to-date insight into global equity trends, regulatory developments, and emerging best practices.
  • Deepen understanding of complex compliance, reporting, and administration topics through practical scenarios.
  • Reinforce learning in real time by making decisions under pressure in a competitive, game-based format.
Speaker/Author

Rob Miceli, Bank of America (US)
Dave Lanka, Bank of America (US)
Tara Hagen, FGE, Aon (US)
Carrie Kovac, Elastic (US)
Nicole Hickle, Amgen (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 16:00 - 17:00
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 1
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

7.6 The Architecture of Equity: How to Build an ESPP That Lasts

A well-designed ESPP is more than a benefit—it’s a powerful tool for fostering ownership, engagement, and alignment across your organization. But creating a lasting program requires a strong foundation.
In this session, participants will explore the essential elements of sustainable ESPP design, from aligning with corporate objectives and managing financial trade-offs to navigating compliance and global complexities. Attendees will gain a practical framework for evaluating plan features, modeling participation, and future-proofing their ESPP to meet evolving workforce and market needs. 

Whether you’re refreshing an existing plan or launching a new one, this session provides actionable tools and strategic insights to build an ESPP that endures.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how to align your ESPP with corporate goals, financial strategy, and workforce objectives for long-term impact.
  • Gain insights into managing regulatory, tax, and operational challenges across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Discover strategies for modeling participation, evaluating plan features, and adapting your ESPP to evolving workforce and market needs.
Speaker/Author

Liz Stoudt, Infinite Equity (US)
Amy Henry, The Coca-Cola Company (IE)

Event date
Thursday, 23 Apr 2026, 09:30 - 10:20
Country
Breakout series
Location
401
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

5.4 Employee Ownership in Focus: Insights from Rutgers

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.
Speaker/Author

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

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 4
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

5.2 Payroll Pitfalls in Equity Compensation: Lessons from the Trenches

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.
Speaker/Author

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

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 2
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

5.1 Equity in Motion: Lessons from Transforming Companies

Major corporate actions—such as creating new legal entities, reorganizations, rapid scaling, and global expansion—can dramatically reshape companies and create unique challenges for equity operations. From maintaining data accuracy to ensuring effective communication and governance, equity teams must navigate complex transitions while keeping programs resilient and effective.
In this session, cross-industry experts share proven strategies and practical lessons for managing equity during periods of structural change. Attendees will gain actionable insights to adapt equity plans, onboard employees, maintain operational excellence, and ensure governance remains strong—even in fast-moving environments.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn strategies to adjust plan structures for new entities, reorganizations, and global expansion.
  • Explore best practices for onboarding employees, keeping data accurate, and managing day-to-day administration amid organizational transitions.
  • Discover techniques for clear employee and stakeholder communication, while upholding governance standards during periods of transformation.
Speaker/Author

Tami Phillips, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions (US)
Georgina Lai, Vested Interest Advisory, LLC (US)
Cherie Curry, FGE, FGS Global (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 14:00 - 15:00
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 1
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

4.6 The EO Index: Driving Shareholder Value and Employee Wealth

Broad-based employee ownership (BBEO) isn’t just good for employees—it drives real shareholder value. Work to Own is pioneering the Employee Ownership (EO) Index, using AI to measure and optimize BBEO across 1,500 U.S. public companies. This session explores how data-driven insights link employee ownership to firm performance and provide companies with actionable strategies to scale equity ownership effectively.

Join the experts to learn how AI overcomes data gaps, discover research-backed connections between BBEO and shareholder returns, and see how a quantitative model can help companies design equity programs that boost engagement, retention, and long-term growth.
KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how AI and analytics create a data-driven standard for employee ownership.
  • See research showing companies with higher BBEO outperform peers.
  • Use the EO Index and models to design and communicate programs that benefit employees and shareholders alike.
Speaker/Author

Stan Feldman, Work to Own (US)
Lennart Wenzel, University of Göttingen (DE)
Jonathan Wachtel, Work to Own (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 12:00 - 12:50
Country
Breakout series
Location
401
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
I

4.4 Can AI do it? Participant Education on a Budget

Even in a world of constant communication, participants often struggle to find trusted and accessible information about their equity. This session explores how leading companies like Block, PayPal, and Procore are rethinking participant education to meet evolving employee needs. Using AI, smart design, and scalable strategies, these organizations are creating engaging, intuitive, and impactful equity education programs.

Attendees will walk away with practical ideas for designing or revamping their own programs, regardless of budget or team size, and actionable insights to improve participant understanding, engagement, and confidence.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how leading companies are using AI, design thinking, and technology to enhance equity communication.
  • Discover methods to deliver effective equity education regardless of budget, team size, or geographic reach.
  • Gain actionable ideas for creating programs that increase participant comprehension, confidence, and satisfaction.
Speaker/Author

Jay Christiansen, Block (US)
Andrew Barrus, Procore (US)
Mike McComas, Morgan Stanley at Work (US)
Steve Campbell, PayPal (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 12:00 - 12:50
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 4
Field of Study
Information Technology
Level
O

2.1 Beyond the Basics: Elevating Executive Services for Impact

Executive transactions represent one of the most complex and high-risk areas of equity plan administration. While executives make up a small portion of participants, they demand outsized attention due to heightened regulatory scrutiny, market sensitivity, and reputational risk. 

This session examines the evolving executive equity landscape, highlighting regulatory developments, governance challenges, and practical strategies for improving execution while reducing risk and administrative burden. Panelists will share real-world approaches to streamlining processes, leveraging technology, and delivering tailored education and support—helping equity teams meet executive expectations without overwhelming internal resources.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand current requirements for Rule 10b5-1 plans, pre-clearance, and SEC reporting—and how to manage them efficiently.
  • Learn how to navigate trading windows, tax strategies, and fragmented markets while minimizing transaction costs.
  • Discover how personalized education, dedicated support, and smart technology can improve outcomes for executives and administrators alike.
Speaker/Author

Debbie McGrath, Merrill Lynch (US)
Sean O'Brien, Bank of America (US)
Gayle Hobson, Yum! Brands (US)

Event date
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2026, 14:45 - 15:35
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 1
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
I

4.2 Participant ROI: Unlocking the Personal Return on Equity Awards

As companies continue to evolve their total rewards strategies, one critical lens is often underexamined: the ROI. This session introduces a fresh, practical framework for evaluating equity compensation through both a business and employee experience perspective.
 

We’ll explore how intentionally linking equity plan design to corporate objectives can drive shareholder value while simultaneously increasing employee engagement, retention, and long-term wealth creation. By combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights, this session will demonstrate how organizations can better measure, communicate, and enhance the value participants realize from their equity awards.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Learn how to connect equity plan design to business objectives while ensuring meaningful value for employees.
  • Understand how to assess equity compensation beyond cost and dilution by balancing financial outcomes with participant perception, engagement, and retention.
  • Discover practical ways to improve participant understanding, confidence, and realized value through targeted education, communication, and plan enhancements.
Speaker/Author

Christian Bell, Stock & Option Solutions (US)
Marc Tipton, Stock & Option Solutions (US)
David Hanes, Axon (US)
 

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 12:00 - 12:50
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 2
Field of Study
Finance
Level
I

3.6 Scaling Equity Globally: Visa’s Journey Across 100+ Countries

Visa operates in more than 250 countries and territories and supports employees in over 100 countries with equity compensation—truly a global footprint. This panel will take you behind the scenes of Visa’s expansive stock plan programs to explore what it takes to design, implement, and scale equity programs across diverse regions.
 

Join experts from Deloitte and Visa for an in-depth discussion on lessons learned from managing one of the world’s most progressive and far-reaching equity programs. The panel will cover the end-to-end journey of global ESPP expansion, including evaluating feasibility in different countries, designing policies for scale, navigating complex legal and tax considerations, balancing stakeholder priorities, and effectively communicating and engaging employees worldwide.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how to evaluate program viability, create scalable policies, and align plans with local and global requirements.
  • Learn strategies for balancing priorities across legal, tax, HR, and executive stakeholders while navigating diverse regulatory environments.
  • Gain actionable approaches to communicating and engaging employees across regions to maximize participation and program effectiveness.
Speaker/Author

Mark Miller, Deloitte (US)
Christine Crawford, Visa (US)
Liz Pierson, Deloitte (UK)
Lorne Greenburg, Visa (US)
William McCauley, Bank of America (US)
 

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Country
Breakout series
Location
401
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O