There is an increasing awareness among companies that their responsibility to plan participants extends beyond the implementation of a share plan. Providing adequate financial education to participants is seen as one of the key features of successful global share plans. The award for Best in Financial Education is granted to companies who have implemented a financial education program that best meets the challenge of providing independent and objective information to employees without infringing on compliance or other regulatory constraints.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 GEO AWARD WINNERS
The 2023 winners are a testament to the diversity and excellence that can be found in the industry. They represent 16 companies across nine different sectors, ranging from small companies with 2,700 employees to large ones with over 180,000 employees, and headquartered in nine different countries and that partner with more than 25 expert service providers.
These winners demonstrate that successful equity plans are not limited by budget or geography, and each showcase the brilliance of the global share ownership industry.
Best Plan Effectiveness
Best Use of Equity in a Private Company
Best Use of Employee Share Plans in a Corporate Action
Best Use of Technology
Most Creative Solution
Best in Financial Education and Wellbeing
Most Innovative Plan Design
Best Plan Communication
GEO Pioneers
GEO Star Awards
The Judges' Award
The GEO Chapter Awards
MEET THE 2023 JUDGES
GEO Awards are judged by a panel of industry leaders representing only issuer companies or members of academia, all of whom are considered experts in their respective fields.
In addition to meeting stringent criteria related to their experience, expertise and achievements, each judge agrees to dedicate their time to the rigorous judging process.
GEO is grateful to this accomplished group of professionals for the time and energy they dedicate to this process.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD JUDGE
Our rigorous and objective judging process sets the GEO Awards apart, and I want to extend my congratulations to each of this year’s finalists and winners for their hard work and creativity in developing outstanding share ownership plans.
The true winners are their employees and families who benefit from their equity programs, as well as businesses that gain an engaged, driven, and high-performing workforce.
Please join us in congratulating the 2023 GEO Award winners.”
Thomas J. Paleka, FGE
Tom Paleka joined Gallagher in September 2008 as Vice President of Global Compensation, a newly created role. Promoted in 2016 to lead the global rewards function, he has overall responsibility for guiding the company’s equity, compensation, benefit, mobility and payroll organizations. In 2018, he was named an officer of the company.
He has been instrumental in designing the company’s short and long-term incentive plans, including securing shareholder approval of five equity plans. Other accomplishments include building a global team to centralize support of Total Rewards, automating many compensation and payroll processes, driving a global benefit philosophy, and integrating many acquisitions into Gallagher from a rewards perspective.
Tom joined Gallagher from Tellabs, a telecommunications infrastructure manufacturer. As Director of Global Compensation and Benefits, he was responsible for all broad-based and executive programs. Prior to Tellabs, he had twenty years of extensive background in the telecommunications industry in sales compensation, direct sales, sales management, and sales operations.
Tom has served on the GEO Board of Directors since 2017, and serves as Secretary of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Issuer Advisory Council, and as Lead Judge for the GEO Awards. He also has been an active member of the Fidelity Stock Plan Services Client Advisory Board. He has spoken at conferences for such organizations as GEO, NASPP, CEPI, Equilar, World at Work, and the Conference Board. Tom has also been involved with Junior Achievement for nearly 40 years and has served on the Junior Achievement DuPage County Board of Directors for nearly 20 years.
Dr. Adie Leung, FGE
THE AWARD CATEGORIES
The GEO Awards recognize excellence in share ownership structures across ten distinct categories, highlighting the diverse ways in which companies can create effective share plans and drive employee engagement.
EXCELLENCE IN GLOBAL SHARE PLANS
GEO’s Excellence thought leadership program offers a unique way to learn from the best and gain insights into the best practices and strategies that drive successful share plan implementation.
CELEBRATE WITH THE AWARD WINNERS
Attend GEO's Annual Conference or purchase seats at the GEO Awards gala. The black-tie evening with industry leaders is your chance celebrate success in our industry.