Where New England's Equity Community Comes Together

Tavola da Siena Restaurant  |  400 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917

Three years ago, in the wake of the COVID pandemic, we shared our thoughts and predictions on the evolving landscape of equity compensation with the New England NASPP Summit. Little did we know how much could change in such a short time. This year, with the arrival of a new presidential administration, it’s time to reassess the equity compensation landscape. Market volatility and other macroeconomic and social factors continue to influence equity incentives. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital assets are advancing rapidly, though their implications for our beloved industry aren’t always clear.

In this dynamic and sometimes chaotic environment, compensation professionals have been tasked with construction of new disclosures like pay vs. performance and are now forced to prepare for disaggregation of the income statement, which will dramatically impact the way compensation is presented in the company’s financials in years to come. In this rapidly changing landscape, staying informed about court cases, SEC comment letters, rulemaking and enforcement actions is even more crucial than before.

When planning your equity plan communications and education roadmap, do you take into consideration how those communications will be received? This presentation will provide insight into using participant behavior and demographic metrics to determine the best way to capture their attention and participation.

Learning Objectives: 

• Engagement:

  • Which participants respond to invites and then actually attend sessions
  • Using surveys to understand session impact
  • Invited participants attendance vs pre-registered participants
  • Behaviors of participants on support channels and tailored education surrounding those behaviors

• Switching Strategies:

  • Different types of engagement for scheduled sessions based on audience receiving invite/registration
  • What days of the week work best to send invites, hold sessions. Time of day?
  • Multi-Channel approaches - Intranet vs communication partners
  • Experiment with content - How to catch their eye

Speakers:

• Brooke Anderson, CEP, Charles Schwab

• Jennifer Francis, CEP, Aon

• Rees Franklin lll, Affirm

1 continuing professional education credit for CPAs

Dive into sophisticated settlement techniques for executive 10b5-1 plans with our expert panel, including a quantitative trading specialist who will share valuable analytics on the market impact of trades by reporting persons. This practical session delivers actionable frameworks for implementing settlement strategies that protect shareholder value while meeting company and individual objectives. We will offer perspective on liquidity patterns and optimal windows often overlooked in traditional 10b5-1 trade execution.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learning new ways to execute on Rule 10b5-1 Plans
  
• Protecting Shareholder value

Speakers:

• Niya Dragova, Candor

• Chen Chen, Candor

1 continuing professional education credit for CPAs

Efficient administration of your organization’s equity plan is crucial if you want to foster employee engagement, comply with regulations, optimize your resource allocation, and prioritize data security. This session will address five key questions that all administrators should be asking themselves on a regular basis in order to ensure their programs are in tip-top shape, in addition to a number of strategies on how to enhance the effectiveness of your stock plan administration and optimize the efficiency of related processes.

Learning Objectives: 

• Provide audience members with actionable items to check their own plan health status
• Provide strategies for optimizing plan procedures

Speakers:

• Michelle Tomasetti, Infinite Equity

• Liz Stoudt, Infinite Equity

1 continuing professional education credit for CPAs

Set sail with us as we explore how a fractional share approach can benefit everyone, regardless of stock price. From participants and plan sponsors to ambitious corporate goals, these small fractions can be a lighthouse guiding your way. Fractional shares can streamline tax withholding procedures, enhance your vesting process, precisely target value delivery in grants, and elevate your ESPP.

Our panelists will navigate you through the steps to implement a fractional share program for various equity awards (RSUs, ESPP, options), the necessary administrative adjustments, and changes to plan documentation to facilitate fractional share issuances. We'll also cover the rights of fractional shareholders and the resulting tax implications. Additionally, our experts will chart the impact of stock splits on share plans and discuss alternative approaches for adjusting equity programs in response to share price fluctuations.

Receive insights from issuers and administrators, along with legal and tax analysis, to help you make the most of your equity awards, no matter where your stock price sails!

Learning Objectives:

• Steps to implement a fractional share program for various equity awards
• Review the administrative adjustments and changes to plan documentation required to facilitate fractional share issuances
• Outline the rights of fractional shareholders and the resulting tax implications
• Analyze the impact of stock splits on share plans and alternative approaches for adjusting equity programs in response to share price fluctuations

Speakers:

• Lindsay Minnis, Baker McKenzie

• Joe Magner, Fidelity Investments

1 continuing professional education credit for CPAs

In an increasingly global workforce, effective mobility tracking is critical for ensuring compliance, optimizing tax and equity reporting for mobile employees. This session will explore best practices for tracking mobility data and the essential role it plays in administering employee share plans. With a focus on global mobility, we’ll differentiate between expats and business travelers, addressing unique challenges and implications for each group. This session is designed for HR and mobility professionals who manage global talent and equity plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Best practices for tracking mobility data
• Breaking down the difference between expat and business travelers

Speaker:

• Mariana Espinosa, Computershare

1.2 continuing professional education credit for CPAs

Employers everywhere are challenged with unengaged and disengaged employees. Employee ownership through equity compensation can be a key differentiator in driving engagement for your workforce. This session explores different strategies companies have taken with their equity programs to deliver the power of employee ownership. First, we’ll explore the growing interest in equity-for-all and equity-for-more programs, and discuss considerations for companies who are considering driving their equity programs deeper into their population. Next, we’ll dig into equity choice and compensation choice, and discuss how this new twist on employer rewards can help improve engagement and outcomes for participants. And finally, we’ll review employee stock purchase plan trends, why ESPPs are on the rise, and outline next steps and considerations for companies who are considering adding or improving an ESPP.

Learning Objectives:

• Create a plan to engage your disengaged employees
• Communicate measurable tactics to increase employee ownership

Speakers:

• Jeremy Boraks, Fidelity Investments

• Noone Janjigian, Thermo Fisher Scientific

• Megan Anatole, Toast

1.2 continuing professional education credit for CPAs

Are you eager for an exciting update from the dynamic world of global stock plan administration? We invite you to join us for a fun and engaging session that uniquely combines learning with a healthy dose of friendly competition. This event offers a golden opportunity to delve into the latest trends and updates for “all things global equity” while testing your knowledge and skills against your peers.

Prepare to go head-to-head with fellow equity administrators in an interactive trivia game designed to challenge and entertain. As you navigate through a series of thought-provoking questions, you'll not only broaden your understanding of key topics but also have the chance to showcase your expertise.

Whether you're aiming to stay ahead of industry changes, refine your strategies, or simply enjoy a spirited contest, this session promises to deliver. The stakes are high, with prizes awaiting the winners and, of course, the ultimate reward of earning bragging rights among your peers. This exciting session will cover tricky topics and trends and updates such as:

• Global mobility tricks and tips
• Requirements for 10b5-1, Section 16 and Rule 144 filings
• ESPP nuances and hidden secrets
• Tax withholding and payroll best practices
• Disqualifying dispositions
• 409A valuations
• Accounting and financial reporting best practice insights
• And many more!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, compete, and connect in a vibrant and supportive environment. Join us and see who among your fellow equity administrators can rise to the top and claim the title of trivia champion!

Learning Objectives:

• Stay informed on global equity trends: Gain insights into the latest developments, including key regulatory updates, best practices and emerging challenges in the industry.
  
• Enhance technical knowledge and compliance strategies: Deepen your understanding of complex global equity administration topics.
  
• Test and apply knowledge in an interactive setting: Participate in a competitive trivia game to reinforce learning, apply industry knowledge in real-time scenarios and engage with peers to benchmark your expertise in global equity administration.

Speakers:

• Rob Miceli, Bank of America

• Dave Lanka, Bank of America