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

3.4 Global Lessons Learned: Equity Plan Implementation After IPO

Transitioning to a public company is a defining moment—particularly when equity programs must scale quickly across multiple countries. For newly public organizations, the real challenge begins after the bell rings: building equity plans that meet heightened governance expectations while supporting a growing, global workforce.
 

Drawing on lessons learned from recent IPOs, this session explores critical post-IPO considerations including Day 1 trading readiness for officers and executive leadership roles (ELRs), scalable equity operations, and the realities of managing cross-border tax, compliance, and award administration. Through real-world examples, speakers will share how companies have balanced control and flexibility—creating equity programs that are resilient, compliant, and built for international growth.
 

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Understand post-IPO equity requirements, including trading readiness for officers and executives.
  • Learn how to build equity processes that adapt to regional expansion, operational growth, and evolving governance needs.
  • Gain practical strategies for handling tax withholding, award modifications, and local compliance across jurisdictions.
Speaker/Author

Sara Shoaf, Charles Schwab (US)
Randy Murphy, Instacart (US)
Rees Franklin III, Affirm  (US)
Brooke Anderson, Charles Schwab  (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 4
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

3.3 Unlocking Equity: Making Equity Benefits Accessible for Every Employee

Equity programs only create value when employees truly understand them. Yet for many—particularly those with limited financial experience—equity benefits feel complex, confusing, or out of reach. This panel brings together seasoned equity and communication leaders to share how companies are simplifying equity education and making participation more accessible across all employee populations.
 

Experts will focus on practical communication strategies that cut through confusion, correct common misconceptions, and drive engagement—from ESPP enrollment decisions to understanding the value of RSUs. Through real-world examples, the panel will highlight how interactive videos, digital content, and intuitive modeling tools can build equity literacy and confidence across a global workforce.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • How to communicate equity concepts clearly without losing accuracy or credibility.
  • Which tools and formats most effectively increase employee understanding and participation.
  • How to address common misconceptions that prevent employees from engaging with equity.
Speaker/Author

Dan Nelson, Sage (UK)
Ajit Jacob, Aon (US)
Pam Chernoff, Aon (US)
Laura Fahnlander, The Trade Desk (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 3
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

3.2 Bridging Equity Awards and Global Reporting

Global equity programs bring complex reporting obligations that touch multiple stakeholders throughout the plan lifecycle—from implementation to plan termination or conversion in an M&A context. This session brings together legal experts, corporate issuers, and a financial institution representative to unpack these requirements, offering insight into how companies manage reporting duties across jurisdictions while maintaining compliance and governance standards.
 

Panelists will share practical approaches for handling regulatory and market transparency obligations, addressing evolving requirements, and mitigating risks tied to non-compliance. Attendees will gain actionable guidance on establishing oversight, managing cross-border reporting, and ensuring alignment with both global and local obligations, including indirectly related regulations like the EU Pay Transparency Directive.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understanding the full scope of reporting obligations tied to global equity programs.
  • Best practices for managing compliance effectively across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Strategies for maintaining oversight and mitigating risks of reporting failures.
Speaker/Author

Jeff Bauman, Baker McKenzie (US)
Melanie Anderson, Atlassian (US)
Simona Paduraru, Google (US)
Corey Slagle, Emerson  (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 2
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
I

2.5 Inside GEO's Share Plans Ranking Study: What Drives Successful Employee Ownership Globally

GEO’s Global Share Plans Ranking Study is the first of its kind, offering a country-level snapshot of the appetite, support, and provision of employee share ownership - and now includes insights from even more countries!
With insights from senior equity compensation issuers and service providers across a growing number of countries, this expanded report paints the bigger picture of employee equity worldwide. This session will dive into key report highlights, uncovering the countries leading the charge in employee equity adoption as well as those with untapped potential.


KEY LEARNINGS:

  • Explore key findings, including emerging trends and barriers to implementing share plans,
  • Learn how to leverage the report to strategically extend plans into new countries or boost participation in your current regions
  • Discover actionable insights to enhance your global equity strategies
Speaker/Author

Bill Castellano, Rutgers University (US)
Lindsay Minnis, Baker McKenzie (US)
Vickram Paliwal, KPMG (CH)
Diederik Blanken, Walmart (US)
Vanda Kiss, Nokia (NL)

Event date
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2026, 14:45 - 15:35
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 5
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
I

2.4 The Executive Equity Journey: From Promise to Payout

Receiving an executive equity grant can be thrilling—a promise of future wealth with the potential to transform careers. But what happens between the initial grant and the final payout? This session explores the realities versus expectations for employees, executives, and directors, unpacking the complexities of communication, regulation, and strategic planning throughout the executive equity lifecycle.

Participants will gain a comprehensive view of how effective communication aligns expectations, while regulatory frameworks shape the journey from grant to vesting. The session will also examine broader considerations, including tax optimization, succession planning, estate management, and trust creation. 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand the full journey from grant to vesting, including common challenges and regulatory considerations.
  • Learn strategies to clearly communicate equity value and align expectations for executives, directors, and employees.
  • Gain insights into tax optimization, succession planning, estate management, and trust strategies to enhance wealth outcomes.
Speaker/Author

Chris Dohrmann, FGE, J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions (US)
Melissa Jackmin, Vestis (US)
Dan Barker, Sportradar (US)
Bob Fritz, JPM Private Bank (US)

Event date
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2026, 14:45 - 15:35
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 4
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
I

2.3 Borderless Equity: Designing Inclusive Plans for a Mobile Workforce

As mobility and hybrid work redefine the modern workplace, equity plans must evolve to support a truly borderless workforce. This session explores how leading organizations are adapting plan design, tax and compliance frameworks, and communication strategies to engage remote and mobile employees while maintaining operational efficiency.
Attendees will gain practical insights on navigating cross-border employment, hybrid work models, and global expansion—building inclusive, future-ready equity programs that meet both business and employee needs.


KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how hybrid work and global talent mobility impact equity program structure and delivery.
  • Learn strategies for handling cross-border tax obligations, regulatory requirements, and operational challenges.
  • Explore best practices for aligning equity plans with employee expectations and delivering clear, culturally relevant communications across geographies.
Speaker/Author

Charles Russo, Computershare (US)
Teun Tchornobay, Darling Ingredients (US)
Denise Glagau, Baker McKenzie (US)
 

Event date
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2026, 14:45 - 15:35
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 3
Field of Study
Tax
Level
I