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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
IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
11 February 2026, 11:30am - 1:30pm CST
TEXAS CHAPTER MEETING
TEXAS

AUSTIN, TX

Trending now
All plan types
USA

DON'T MISS OUR FIRST CHAPTER MEETING OF 2026!

Join our Texas-based experts as they lead a live roundtable discussion from Austin, with in-person networking watch parties in Dallas and Houston.

Equity compensation is evolving rapidly—and some of the most impactful innovation starts with a great conversation. This interactive roundtable brings together stock plan professionals to exchange insights, share real-world experiences, and explore what’s next in equity compensation.

Expect a fast-moving, practitioner-led discussion covering plan design, communication, and administration, with practical takeaways on today’s biggest challenges—and the opportunities hidden within them.

Enjoy food, networking, and engaging conversation with peers who understand the realities of managing equity compensation today.

As an added bonus, attendees will be entered for a chance to win a free pass to the GEO Annual Conference in Austin, 21-23 April 2026.

LOCATIONS:

In-Person:
BDO
Austin Office
600 W. 5th Street
Suite 1400
Austin, TX 78701

Watch Party:
BDO
Dallas Office
600 North Pearl Street
Suite 1700
Dallas, TX 75201

Watch Party:
BDO
Houston Office
2929 Allen Parkway
20th Floor
Houston, TX 77019

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.  

Members and non-members are welcome to attend.  Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

We look forward to seeing you.

The Texas Chapter Team

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

SPONSORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1 Equity Compensation Across Cultures: Insights from a Global Issuer Panel

Equity compensation programs don’t operate in a vacuum—cultural context plays a critical role in how employees perceive, value, and engage with equity awards. In this interactive panel, issuers from North America, EMEA, and Asia will share firsthand experiences designing and administering equity plans across diverse cultural landscapes. Panelists will explore how regional norms influence plan design choices, communication approaches, participation rates, and employee understanding. Attendees will leave with practical insights on how to tailor equity programs to resonate locally while maintaining a cohesive global strategy.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand how cultural norms across regions influence employee perception, participation, and overall engagement with equity compensation.
  • Learn practical, region-specific approaches to communicating equity awards that improve clarity, adoption, and employee trust.
  • Gain actionable best practices for designing equity plans that align with global objectives while accommodating local cultural expectations.
Speaker/Author

Elliot Alexander, Computershare (UK)
Tim Leier, Ecolab (US)
Jessica Macskimming, RS Group (UK)
 

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 12:00 - 12:50
Country
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 1
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

3.5 The State of Global Equity in 2026: Trends, Risks, and What’s Next

As global equity programs continue to evolve amid regulatory change, workforce mobility, and rapid advances in technology, staying ahead of what’s coming next has never been more critical. This forward-looking session provides a global snapshot of where equity compensation stands in 2026—and what companies should be preparing for now.
 

These global industry experts from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Israel, and the US, will explore key regulatory developments across major regions, shifting talent mobility and retention dynamics, and the growing influence of technology and AI on equity administration. Designed to help global equity leaders navigate uncertainty with confidence, this session will combine strategic insights with practical considerations to support informed decision-making in an increasingly complex environment.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Identify key regulatory trends and emerging risks across major global markets and how they may impact equity plan design and administration.
  • Explore how changing workforce patterns—including cross-border mobility and remote work—are reshaping global equity strategies.
  • Learn how technology and AI are transforming equity operations, from compliance and reporting to data management and decision support.
     
Speaker/Author

Amit Majumder, Qapita (IN)
Cherry Mo, WiseTech Global (AU)
Dikla Reznik-Erez, ESOP (IS)
Soren Klausen, Iuno Law (DK)
Diane Atteberry, Morgan Stanley at Work (US)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 5
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

3.1 Around the World in 60 Minutes: Global Equity Edition

From China to Chile, the U.S. to the UK—and everywhere in between—this session takes a practical look at the legal, regulatory, and tax updates shaping global equity incentive plans. 
Designed for professionals balancing compliance, cost, and complexity, this session cuts through the noise with candid discussion, practical guidance, and hard-earned lessons on managing global incentive plans without losing your sanity—or your budget. Whether you’re a seasoned global equity leader or just expanding internationally, you’ll walk away with actionable insights you can apply immediately.
 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Understand the latest regulatory and tax developments impacting equity compensation across key global markets.
  • Learn strategies to control compliance costs while minimizing legal, tax, and operational risk.
  • Gain real-world tips from issuers and advisors on keeping plans compliant, scalable, and efficient across multiple jurisdictions.
Speaker/Author

Ian Gassner, Weir Group (UK)
Tom Parker, Tapestry (UK)
Lewis Dulley, Tapestry (UK)
Vanda Kiss, Nokia (NL)

Event date
Wednesday, 22 Apr 2026, 10:45 - 11:45
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 1
Field of Study
Specialized Knowledge
Level
O

1.2 Global Share Plans in Motion: What’s New, What’s Risky, and What to Watch

Global share plan compliance continues to evolve—sometimes in helpful ways, sometimes in unexpected (and challenging) ones. This session delivers a fast-paced update on recent legal, tax, and regulatory developments across key jurisdictions, including Argentina, China, Denmark, Israel, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.

Experienced issuer leaders and a global share plan advisor will share how these changes are affecting real-world equity programs, highlighting where companies are adjusting plan design, administration, and compliance strategies. The discussion will focus on practical approaches for monitoring global developments, responding to regulatory change, and maintaining compliant share plans across diverse jurisdictions.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • Key global regulatory and tax developments impacting share plans across major jurisdictions.
  • How companies are adapting plan design and compliance strategies in response to change.
  • Practical methods for staying ahead of global developments without overburdening internal teams.
Speaker/Author

Barbara Klementz, Baker McKenzie (US)
Mike Browning, Equinix (US)
Andrea Kagan, NVIDIA (US)
Cherie Curry, FGE, FGS Global (US)
Sepehr Samari, Microsoft (US)

Event date
Tuesday, 21 Apr 2026, 13:30 - 14:30
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 2
Field of Study
Tax
Level
I