ABOUT GEO

In 1999, Carine Schneider had a visionary idea: to establish a global community where share plan professionals could exchange ideas and collaborate. With this goal in mind, she assembled a group of industry leaders in equity compensation and founded the Global Equity Organization (GEO), serving as Chair of the Board for 18 years until 2017.

Recognizing the importance of having an international perspective, Carine asked Janet Cooper OBE, who was then leading the global Linklaters share plan business from the UK to help connect her with professionals from Europe and other parts of the world to share best practice and join the GEO Board. Janet served as a board member for 24 years before stepping down in 2023.

Thirty-five founding members set out to raise $250,000 in seed funding from various organizations - these became GEO's Founding Sponsors. From the outset, GEO was established as a non-profit organization, with all membership fees and sponsorships directed towards supporting and reinvesting in its members.

Today, the Global Equity Organization remains a vital resource for professionals in the equity compensation industry, fostering a global community that promotes best practices, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Thanks to the vision and dedication of its founders, GEO has become a leading voice in the industry and a catalyst for positive change.