NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

NETWORKING EVENTS

CHAPTER TEAM:

Aneta Stefaniak, BDO, (Chapter Leader)

Billy Vitense, Starbucks Coffee
Scott Sander, Amazon
Simin Cen, Amazon
Esther Liu, Deloitte

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

Leann Balbona, FGE, KPMG

CONTACT THE CHAPTER TEAM

WELCOME TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER

This local chapter community is dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources to help members develop their skills, expand their networks, and make a positive impact in their communities. You will have access to a wide range of valuable resources and opportunities including educational sessions and networking events.

SUBSCRIBE TO CHAPTER NEWSLETTER - COMING SOON!

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

18 October 2023, 12 - 3:30pm EDT

GEO NEW YORK/BOSTON CHAPTER MEETING

SPEAKERS: LEANN BALBONA, KPMG; ASHRA JACKSON, KPMG ; AMY REINA, DELOITTE; MIRIAM KRAWIEC, DELOITTE; EMILY CERVINO, FIDELITY; GRANT PETERSON, AON; JEREMY BORAKS, FIDELITY

USA

The GEO New York and Boston Chapters are pleased to present this half-day chapter meeting across Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Boston. We are excited to offer two sessions that are sure to inform, educate, and spark new ideas for your plan designs, and with speakers across all the locations, no matter which city calls to you, you’ll have a front row seat for the action.

SESSION ONE:
Fresh ideas to keep your stock plans in style
Stagnation stinks! With a constantly evolving workplace landscape, changing needs of employees and employers facing new challenges every day, stock plan stagnation can leave you unprepared. Join these stock plan experts to explore new ideas for your stock compensation radar.

Key learning points:

Modernization strategies to enhance stock programs, reduce costs, promote equity, differentiation, and prepare for future challenges, including M&A
How to evaluate automatic exercise at expiration, and how you can get a head start on T+1 readiness with prior day close.
Discover the role that LTI plays in gender pay gap,
...and more.

SESSION TWO:
Industry updates from the front lines

This great discussion with representatives from Deloitte and KPMG will explore tax, regulatory, process and trends they are seeing from their desks. These sage professionals will bring their experience and thought leadership to the table to consider for your incentive programs.

Key learning points:

Discuss equity industry trends we are seeing.
Review the regulatory and legislative views that are affecting the plan design landscape.
The rising trends that affect people, processes, and the current technology

Agenda:
12:00 to 12:30 – Registration, welcome and lunch
12:30 to 1:30 – Session one - Fresh ideas to keep your stock plans in style
1:30 to 2:30 –Session two - Industry updates from the front lines
2:30-3:30 - End of simulcast and table top discussions

*Please indicate any dietary requirements in your registration as lunch will be provided.

We will be holding a simulcast for our chapter meeting, to give you more location options so you can attend.

LIVE WEBCAST

17 October 2023, 12 - 1:15pm EDT

PAY VS. PERFORMANCE: 2023 LESSONS LEARNED AND CONSIDERATIONS YEAR TWO

SPEAKERS: Nathan O'Connor, Equity Methods, Sinead Kelly, Baker McKenzie

Legal and regulatory

USA

The SEC's final Pay vs. Performance (PvP) rule, released in August 2022, triggered a frantic race among issuers to understand and comply with its complex requirements. As a result, the 2023 proxy season became unforgettable for proxy preparers at both issuers and service providers. Equity Methods invites you to join their webcast, where they delve into their PvP database, housing over 600 PvP disclosures.

The webcast will provide a recap and summary of actual PvP disclosures filed in this year's proxies, along with important lessons learned by practitioners. Additionally, the discussion will cover emerging best practices and highlight considerations for companies as they prepare for their second PvP disclosure in 2024.

Key Learning Points:

Understanding the impact of the SEC's final Pay vs. Performance rule on issuers and service providers during the 2023 proxy season.
Recap and analysis of actual PvP disclosures filed in proxies, offering insights into compliance and disclosure strategies.
Identifying best practices that have emerged from the PvP disclosures and outlining important considerations for future PvP disclosures.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST
GEO members: No charge
GEO non-members*: $85

Become a GEO member to attend webcasts for free in the future!

*Fees are non-refundable. Recordings are available to access on-demand following the webcast.

Registration is required. Connection and login instructions are sent to registered participants prior to this webcast.

WATCH THE WEBCAST

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

16 October 2023, 11:30am - 2pm CDT

TEXAS CHAPTER MEETING

LOCATIONS: DALLAS, HOUSTON, and AUSTIN

Global

Deploying and implementing an effective equity compensation program is no easy feat and challenges are rampant. If your program is struggling to make a real difference, there are things you can do to ensure the benefits you offer are valued. We’ve rounded up the top reasons equity compensation programs struggle and ways to make them work for the better

In this session, we will explore:

Why it’s important to maximize the impact on your equity compensation programs
Ways to make an impact in your communications and strategy
Success stories/case studies from other organizations that overcame the challenges presented to them

We will be holding a simulcast for our chapter meeting, to give you more location options so you can attend.

Agenda:
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - Registration, welcome and lunch
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Presentation with Robyn Shutak and Elizabeth Stoudt of Infinite Equity - “Texas Fall Roundup - Why Equity Compensation Programs Fall Short with Solutions”
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Roundtable discussions/networking

Lunch will be provided. Please indicate any dietary requirements in your registration.
Drawing for complimentary pass for corporate issuer in each location to GEO Annual Conference in Nashville, April 9 – 11, 2024 will occur. Must be present to win!

VIRTUAL COURSE

3 October 2023, 8 - 11am PDT

BOOTCAMP - GLOBAL SHARE PLAN BASICS

Global

Specifically designed for emerging share plan practitioners, this standalone four-part educational program brings together experts from accounting, tax, legal, and administrative disciplines to partner with Issuer colleagues and present you with a globally-focused starter pack of core concepts and real-life case studies.

FIND OUT MORE

LIVE WEBCAST

19 September 2023, 12 - 1:15pm EDT

FELLOWS LEADERS' LOUNGE

MODERATOR: Matt Connor, FGE - Lucid Motors
PANEL: Chris Dohrmann, FGE - Global Shares, a JP Morgan Company; Yael Elbaz Roiter, FGE - Senior Total Rewards Consultant; Julie Shepherd, FGE - Sage

Design and strategy

Employee engagement

Executive pay

Trending now

Global

LEVERAGING EQUITY PROGRAMS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP IT AND DIGITAL TALENT

With the accelerating emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses must prioritize identifying and retaining their most skilled employees, particularly within the internal IT and digital sectors. Failing to do so can lead to the loss of valuable resources and hinder a company's competitive edge.

Join us in an enlightening discussion as GEO Fellows delve into the powerful potential of equity programs, showcasing how these programs can serve as a unique instrument to incentivize and retain top talent, enabling businesses to thrive in the digital age.

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Understand the importance of identifying uniquely skilled IT and digital employees for long-term company success.
Explore the challenges companies face in retaining top talent in the competitive digital market.
Discover how equity programs can be leveraged effectively to incentivize and retain the best IT and digital professionals, fostering sustained growth and a competitive advantage.

WATCH THE WEBCAST

LIVE WEBCAST

12 September 2023, 12 - 1:15pm EDT

GLOBAL EQUITY UPDATES - Q3 2023

SPEAKERS: Chris Barnes, KPMG London, Parmjit Sandhu, KPMG New York, Dinesh Sinniah, KPMG Chicago

Trending now

Global

GEO is committed to keeping you up to date on the latest developments happening around the world. This quarterly webcast series, "Global Equity Updates," is designed to easily keep abreast of the fast-paced changes happening in equity compensation. This webcast will cover new regulations, new reporting obligations, and other guidance recently issued or of interest in the industry during the recent quarter.

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST
GEO members: No charge
GEO non-members*: $85

Become a GEO member to attend webcasts for free in the future!

*Fees are non-refundable. Recordings are available to access on-demand following the webcast.

Registration is required. Connection and login instructions are sent to registered participants prior to this webcast.

WATCH THE WEBCAST

ARTICLE

28 August 2023

STARTUP SHARES - THESE COUNTRIES WILL TAX YOU THE LEAST

Sifted

Finance, tax and accounting

All plan types

Global

Offering equity to employees is a key strategy for startups to attract talent over larger firms, seen in Europe where successful companies like Klarna and Deliveroo have spurred new ventures. However, European taxation on employee stock options varies significantly by country, with Estonia, Lithuania, and the UK cited as the most favorable due to lower tax burdens and simpler regulations compared to countries like France and Germany, which have more stringent tax policies and regulations. These differences impact how much employees can potentially gain from their stock options, influencing company decisions on offering ESOPs versus other equity schemes like VSOPs in heavily regulated markets.

READ ARTICLE

LIVE WEBCAST

22 August 2023, 12 - 1:15pm EDT

NAVIGATING TAX IMPLICATIONS: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR EQUITY COMPENSATION

SPEAKERS: Amelie Desrochers, Deloitte, Tara Hagen, FGE, Global Tax Network, Hannah Needle, FGE, Tapestry Compliance

Global

Join us for an insightful webcast featuring esteemed representatives from the GEO Board, hailing from Canada, US, and UK. Together, we will delve into the pressing topic of effectively communicating the tax implications of equity compensation to your employees.

During this webcast, you will:

Gain valuable insights into the best practices employed by global organizations to effectively communicate tax implications related to equity compensation
Understand the common concerns and questions that employees may have regarding tax implications. Learn how to address these concerns, ensuring employees are well-informed and confident about their equity compensation
Discover effective communication techniques and tools that can foster employee engagement and promote a more positive perception of equity compensation programs

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.5*
Field of study: Communication
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.25 credits

*CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only. Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST
GEO members: No charge
GEO non-members*: $85

Become a GEO member to attend webcasts for free in the future!

*Fees are non-refundable. Recordings are available to access on-demand following the webcast.

Registration is required. Connection and login instructions are sent to registered participants prior to this webcast.

WATCH THE WEBCAST

ARTICLE

10 August 2023

AIGCC’S UTILITY ENGAGEMENT GROUP CLAMPS DOWN ON EXECUTIVE PAY

Khalid Azizuddin, Forbes

Trending now

Executive plans

Global

The Asian Utilities Engagement Programme (AUEP), led by the Asian Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), focuses on linking executive compensation to climate-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Asian utilities. The program urges these companies to implement governance frameworks for climate issues, establish decarbonization timelines, disclose climate information according to TCFD guidelines, address physical climate risks, and ensure their lobbying activities align with climate objectives. Several companies, such as Japan's J-Power and Chub Electric, as well as Malaysia's Tenaga Nasional, are already incorporating sustainability KPIs into their compensation structures, and the program plans to expand its engagement to regulators and other markets.

READ ARTICLE

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

GEO members in your area can come together to engage in meaningful discussions, share ideas, ask questions, and connect with fellow members who share similar interests via GEOconnect. Whether you're a long-time member or a newcomer, we encourage you to participate and contribute to the vibrant discussions happening here.

VIEW CHAPTER Discussion BOARD

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

Access details of past local events and their materials. Whether you missed an event or want to revisit the content, our community discussion board provides a platform to access event information, including presentations, videos, and discussions.

COMING SOON

AVAILABLE TO GEO MEMBERS ONLY

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

Explore the GEO Insights area, where you can filter by region to access the latest events, articles, survey findings, and reports. Stay updated with the latest information and insights specific to your region, and gain valuable knowledge from our curated content.

View regional news & resources

AVAILABLE TO GEOS MEMBER ONLY

NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

CHAPTER TEAM:

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

WELCOME TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER

REGIONAL RESOURCES

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

The future of global share ownership