Operating share plans globally is no easy task—but there are proven ways to significantly improve their effectiveness and impact. In this session, a highly experienced panel featuring leaders from NatWest, Sage, Tapestry, and Wealth at Work will share practical insights drawn from real-world experience across industries and regions.

The discussion will explore evolving trends in plan design, effective approaches to financial education (without crossing into financial advice), and strategies for engaging a multigenerational and multicultural workforce. 

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn how to deliver responsible plan communications and financial education without crossing into regulated financial advice.
• Discover innovative solutions to common communication challenges that improve how employees perceive and value their share plans.
• Explore strategies for addressing cultural and generational differences to ensure equity programs resonate across regions.

As companies expand globally, equity plans must do more than scale—they must resonate with employees across diverse markets while staying aligned with business objectives. This panel takes attendees beyond the mechanics of grants and vesting to explore how thoughtful design, regional adaptability, and market dynamics shape successful global equity programs.

Panelists will share practical strategies for launching or expanding broad-based equity, fostering a culture of ownership, and managing cost and complexity. Attendees will gain insight into balancing tax, regulatory, and cultural considerations with compliance and administrative efficiency, while also examining how market forces such as ownership norms, trading environments, and transaction costs influence employee engagement and perception of equity compensation.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Learn how to scale equity across regions while fostering a culture of ownership and aligning programs with strategic business goals.
• Understand how tax, regulatory, and cultural factors influence plan design and participation—and how to adapt without overcomplicating administration.
• Identify the right metrics to assess engagement, retention, and program effectiveness, ensuring global equity remains a long-term driver of value.

Over the past several years, artificial intelligence has been the subject of significant discussion across stock plan administration and the broader finance function—but much of the conversation has remained aspirational. This session moves beyond the hype to focus on how AI is actually being implemented today.
Led by Deloitte AI leader, this discussion will explore where AI agents are already delivering real value within stock plan and finance teams. Drawing on hands-on experience building and deploying AI solutions across multiple platforms, these experts will share practical insights into what is working, what is not, and what it truly takes to adopt AI successfully. Attendees will examine real-world. 

AI use cases in stock plan administration and walk through the journey of AI readiness—from data and systems to governance and change management—so they can begin taking meaningful steps now to prepare for what’s ahead.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Understand practical, real-world AI use cases already impacting stock plan administration and finance operations.
• Learn the foundational requirements for successful AI adoption, including data readiness, system integration, governance, and team capabilities.
• Identify concrete, near-term actions you can take to prepare your stock plan function for AI adoption and long-term transformation.

As companies expand globally, boards are increasingly composed of directors who reside outside the company’s home country—introducing new layers of regulatory, tax, and compliance complexity. This panel will explore the critical considerations companies must address when compensating non-resident board members, including securities regulations, taxation, withholding, reporting, and treaty relief.

Drawing on real-world case studies from jurisdictions such as Canada and the UK, panelists will share practical approaches to structuring director compensation, managing multi-jurisdictional tax obligations, and avoiding common pitfalls. Attendees will gain actionable insights to help ensure compliant, efficient, and well-governed outcomes for globally distributed boards.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• How to evaluate regulatory and securities law requirements for non-resident directors.
• How to determine residency, allocate compensation, and manage cross-border tax obligations.
• How to navigate withholding, reporting, and treaty relief to reduce risk and complexity.

The role of the equity professional is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Once viewed primarily as administrators and technical experts, today’s equity leaders are expected to serve as strategic advisors—educating executives, influencing enterprise-wide decisions, and proactively managing risk in an increasingly complex environment.

In this session, industry experts with decades of hands-on experience will share candid reflections from their professional journeys, offering rare perspective on how the role has evolved and what has remained constant. Drawing on real-world lessons learned at the highest levels, speakers will explore shifting expectations from executives and boards, how to build lasting equity literacy across the company, and what it truly takes to move from execution to influence.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

• Gain perspective from seasoned industry leaders on how the equity role has evolved over time and what future equity professionals must understand to remain relevant and influential
• Understand changing expectations from executives and boards, and learn practical approaches to building enterprise-wide equity literacy and trust
• Learn how to elevate your impact by leveraging data, storytelling, and proactive risk management to influence strategy and strengthen your organizational and career positioning

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.