NORTH AMERICA CHAPTER

TEXAS

NETWORKING EVENTS

CHAPTER TEAM:

Vicky Phrydas, UBS (Chapter Leader)

Alison Pangilinan, Shell
Aundra White-Carter
Claudia Yanez, NerdWallet
Erika Rivera, Morgan Stanley
Hoa Ngo Doskocil, BDO
Janay Mitchell, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc
Rebecca Kargl, Zillow Group
Robert Vaughn, UBS
Salwa Tarabay, EY
Victoria Roberts, Fluor

GEO BOARD CHAPTER LIAISON:

Tara Hagen, FGE, Aon

WELCOME TO THE TEXAS 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.

FOLLOW THE TEXAS CHAPTER ON LINKEDIN

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

22 September 2026, 10am - 5pm PDT

16TH ANNUAL NORCAL FORUM

San Mateo, CA

All plan types

USA

Join your Bay Area equity compensation peers on 22 September at Pinstripes in San Mateo, CA!

We're bringing you the latest insights on current industry trends and challenges. This is your golden opportunity to stay at the forefront of your field. But it's not just about learning; it's about connecting.

Meet us there to engage with your local NorCal chapter friends and other GEO members. Exchange ideas, build valuable relationships, and fuel your professional growth.

It's more than an event; it's a vibrant community coming together to inspire, learn, and grow.

SAVE THE DATE

LIVE WEBCAST

23 July 2026, 10 - 11am PDT

THE GLOBAL EQUITY GAP: WHY OWNERSHIP DOESN'T ALWAYS TRAVEL

Computershare

Finance, tax and accounting

Legal and regulatory

All plan types

Global

Companies often position equity compensation as a cornerstone of their ownership culture—but that promise doesn’t always translate globally. Regulatory complexity, tax considerations, and operational barriers can result in international employees being excluded from share plans or shifted into cash-settled alternatives, creating a disconnect between intention and reality. This session challenges those assumptions and explores what it really means for employees everywhere to own a piece of your company.

We’ll explore the “compliance gap” in cross-border equity and its impact on culture, alignment, and growth. Attendees will gain insight into the realities of balancing global consistency with local requirements, examine whether cash-settled awards truly deliver ownership, and uncover hidden risks while rethinking how to design equity programs that are both globally consistent and locally compliant.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Identify the key regulatory, tax, and operational challenges that create the cross-border equity “compliance gap”
Evaluate the effectiveness of cash-settled awards versus equity in delivering true ownership and alignment
Apply practical strategies to design globally consistent, locally compliant equity programs

CPE CREDIT HOURS: 1.0*

Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Levels: O
Delivery method: Group Internet-Based
Advanced preparation: None

CEP Continuing Education (CE) credit:1.0 credits *CPE credits are provided for live webcasts only.

Please visit our Continuing Education and Event Policies pages for more information.

COST

Members: Free access — Live and on-demand
Non-members: $85 per webcast — Live and on-demand

Unlock unlimited access! Join GEO from just $375/year and watch every webcast free—live or on-demand plus more member perks!

ARTICLE

7 May 2026

AFTER SPACEX IPO, JEFF BEZOS' NEW BLUE ORIGIN SHARE PLAN

The Times of India

Case Study

All plan types

USA

Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space company, has introduced a new employee stock incentive plan aimed at addressing worker dissatisfaction and improving morale, especially as competitors like SpaceX offer more lucrative equity outcomes. The changes follow employee complaints about earlier stock option programs that often failed to pay out unless an IPO or company sale occurred, leaving many options effectively worthless. The revised plan expands payout triggers, such as external funding rounds and tender offers, and is intended to make compensation more competitive while retaining talent amid intense rivalry in the space industry.

READ ARTICLE

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

13 August 2026, 4 - 6:30pm MDT

GREATER ROCKIES CHAPTER MEETING - TAYLORSVILLE

Taylorsville, UT

Trending now

All plan types

USA

Greater Rockies Chapter Equity Compensation Event and BBQ Social

We’re excited to invite you to a unique Greater Rockies Chapter gathering—an engaging and insightful session followed by a relaxed BBQ social. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and enjoy a more informal networking experience.

SPEAKERS: Lenka Haase, Fidelity; | Andrew Barrus, Procore Technologies| Amberly Fullmer, Reddit | Michael McComas, Morgan Stanley | Adam McDonald, Insightsoftware

Join us for a thought-provoking session designed to equip you with the latest insights and strategies in the ever-evolving world of equity compensation. We’ll explore key trends, best practices, and proven approaches to help you optimise your programmes and elevate your impact as an equity leader.

Expect practical, actionable takeaways that you can immediately apply to navigate challenges and drive meaningful results in your role.

A special thank you to Andrew Barrus and the Greater Rockies Chapter team for graciously hosting this event at Andrew’s home—creating a welcoming and collaborative environment for learning and connection.

Following the session, stay and unwind at our BBQ social. Food and drinks will be provided, and while you’re welcome to bring something to share, there’s absolutely no obligation—just come along, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

We look forward to seeing you there!

LOCATION
Andrew's House
1140 W Turnberry Way
Taylorsville, UT 84123

1140 W 4720 S, Taylorsville, UT

REGISTRATION AND COST
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required.
View the event attendee terms and conditions.

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

22 April 2026, 7 - 11:59pm CDT

25TH GEO AWARDS

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types

Global

ATTEND THE 25TH GEO AWARDS GALA

Join the global share plan community in Austin, Texas on 22 April 2026 as we celebrate the 25th GEO Awards.

This milestone event will take place in the Lone Star Ballroom of the JW Marriott Austin, where we will honor the most innovative and impactful share plan and executive compensation strategies from around the world.

The celebration continues with an exclusive after party at The Edge rooftop, offering spectacular views and the perfect setting to connect with peers and friends across the GEO community.

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

MORE INFORMATION

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE

21 April 2026, 7am - 23 April 2026, 5pm CDT

GEO'S 27TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AUSTIN, TX

All plan types

Global

JOIN THE GLOBAL SHARE PLAN COMMUNITY AT GEO'S 27TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

On 21 - 23 April 2026 more than 350+ global share plan and executive compensation professionals, company directors, senior managers, stock plan, HR, reward and benefits professionals will fill the halls at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas.

Our flagship conference is where the best equity minds meet. It brings together academics, thought leaders, stock plan experts and policy makers from across the globe to explore best practice in equity compensation and work together to drive a vision for future employee share ownership.

Unlock a world of possibilities – igniting inspiration regardless of your experience!

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

MORE INFORMATION

IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT

28 May 2026, 12:30 - 2:30pm MDT

GREATER ROCKIES CHAPTER MEETING

Salt Lake City, UT

Trending now

All plan types

USA

JOIN GEO IN SALT LAKE CITY: EQUITY COMPENSATION ROUNDTABLE AND NETWORKING

SPEAKERS: Lenka Haase, Fidelity; | Andrew Barrus, Procore Technologies | Amberly Fullmer, Reddit | Michael McComas, Morgan Stanley | Adam McDonald, Insightsoftware

We’re pleased to invite you to an engaging afternoon in Salt Lake City, bringing together equity compensation professionals for a focused and collaborative discussion on the evolving landscape of our field.

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to exploring the latest developments in equity compensation. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of plan administration or aiming to stay ahead of regulatory changes, this session offers a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day demands and engage in high-level, strategic discussion with your peers.

Through an interactive roundtable format, you’ll gain fresh perspectives, share experiences, and walk away with practical insights to help you address current challenges and plan for what’s ahead.

Following the session, stay with us for networking and a relaxed social gathering—an ideal chance to continue the conversation and strengthen connections within the local community.

We look forward to welcoming you in Salt Lake City!

LOCATION
Fidelity Salt Lake Office
49 N 400 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

REGISTRATION AND COST
Members and non-members are welcome to attend. There is no cost for this chapter meeting, but registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

ARTICLE

3 April 2026

OWNERSHIP CULTURE: HOW ESOPS HELP COMPANIES ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT

Menke & Associates

Employee engagement

Stock options

USA

As competition for talent increases, more companies are turning to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to improve retention, strengthen culture, and give employees a financial stake in the business. ESOPs allow employees to gradually accumulate company shares through tax-advantaged retirement structures, with growing adoption across the U.S. as a tool for succession planning and workforce engagement. While they require careful structuring, business leaders see employee ownership as a long-term strategy that aligns company success with employee wealth-building and loyalty.

READ ARTICLE

ARTICLE

1 April 2026

GLOBAL SNAPSHOT - HOT EMPLOYMENT LAW TOPICS FOR 2026

Squire Patton Boggs

Legal and regulatory

All plan types

Global

The Squire Patton Boggs report on “Hot Employment Law Topics for 2026” highlights that a central global theme is ongoing regulatory “change,” with many jurisdictions introducing new employment laws that generally increase worker protections and expand employer obligations. Key focus areas include pay transparency and pay equity requirements, growing AI and technology regulation in the workplace, and stricter rules around compliance, data protection, and employee rights. Overall, the report emphasises that employers should expect higher legal, financial, and compliance risks in 2026 and will need to proactively adapt policies and workforce practices to keep up.

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 TEXAS CHAPTER

REGIONAL RESOURCES

CHAPTER DISCUSSION BOARD

PAST EVENTS AND RESOURCES

REGIONAL NEWS AND INSIGHTS

The future of global share ownership