Equity Expert: A Podcast from the NASPP

In this episode of the NASPP Equity Expert Podcast, Amit Gupta the CEO and Co-Founder of Salus, shares insights on how to increase the engagement of equity compensation programs through personalized education, automation, and technology. Key Points Covered The Perceived Value Gap in Equity Compensation Personalized Equity Education and Automation The Importance of Visual, Interactive Learning Meet...

In this episode of the NASPP Equity Expert Podcast, we interview Tamas and Spela from Equity People. Tamas and Spela, experienced equity consultants, share their insights on managing equity during down rounds, the importance of transparency and communication, and the differences in equity perception between the US and Europe. Key Points Covered Managing Equity During Down Rounds: Importance of Tra...

In this episode of the Equity Expert Podcast, we interview Bill Storey, Managing Partner of Your Equity Solutions. Bill, an experienced equity compensation consultant, shares his insights on the accounting treatment of equity compensation, the importance of avoiding silos, and practical advice for managing equity plans. Key Points Covered Introduction to Bill Story and Your Equity Solutions Founda...

In this episode of the NASPP's Equity Expert Podcast, we are joined by Maor Levran, the CEO and co-founder of Slice. Maor, a former corporate attorney, discusses his transition from law to entrepreneurship, the founding of Slice, and the complex world of international equity transactions. The key points of this episode include: International Equity Transactions Global Acceptance of Equity Win...

In this episode of the NASPP Equity Expert Podcast, we are joined by Jonathan Fish, the CEO and co-founder of Cap Gains. Jonathan brings his extensive experience as a CPA and public accountant, focusing primarily on venture funds and private equity funds. He shares insights into the world of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS), a powerful tax incentive that can offer 100% capital gains tax savin...

In this episode of the Equity Expert Podcast, we are joined by DeRonnie Pitts of Fidelity Private Shares where we discuss his experience with Cap Tables and their affects on fundraising rounds and investor perception. The key points of this episode include: Guest Introduction and Background: 0:00 - 4:01 Importance of Cap Table Management: 4:02 - 12:43 Role of Equity in Motivating Employees: 12:44...

In this episode of the Equity Expert podcast, we are joined by Chris Hoffman the founder of Equity Admin co.  A Cap Table specialist with extensive experience in managing the equity of companies ranging from newly incorporated startups to some of the largest private companies in the world. The key points of this episode include: What is a cap table? Common mistakes founders make Best Practices Add...

In this episode of the Equity Expert podcast, we are joined by Stepan Kzrtian a former corporate lawyer with over a decade of experience helping founders navigate the legal journey across all stages of the startup lifecycle. The key points of this episode include: Understanding the 83(b) Election Issuing Founder Stock Cap Table Management Should You Grant Equity as a Percentage Additional Resource...

Kathy Son on the key moments that helped her career in equity compensation and tactics that can help you grow your own career.  Episode Notes: Kathy’s start in equity compensation (1:06) When she realized she wanted to pursue this profession (3:14) Key moments in getting to her current role (5:33) Strategies to advance yourself in equity comp (8:06) Advice to her younger self (10:52) Advice for ad...

Learn how to prepare for T+1 and how the shortened settlement cycle will change stock plan administration from a day-to-day and strategic perspective. Episode Notes:  Effect of T+1 on day-to-day operations (0:11)  Impact of T+1 on strategy for stock plans (3:32) Trading windows and T+1 (6:50) Risks created by a shorter settlement period (8:58) Working with internal and external partners to ensure...

Complying with SAFE, Circular 35, and other complexities of offering equity awards in China. Episode Notes: SAFE registration for options and awards (1:52) SAFE registration for ESPPs (5:10) Establishing a foreign exchange bank account (7:42) Taxation of equity awards in China (10:06) Possible elimination of preferential tax treatment (14:57) Where to hold shares for Chinese nationals (21:22) Mand...

Data on how companies manage on-time tax deposits, determine tax withholding rates, respond to employee requests for additional withholding on equity plan transactions and more. Episode Notes: Complying with IRS deposit deadlines (1:36) Tips for depositing taxes on time (3:45) Pre-funding tax deposits (5:25) Defining FMV as the prior day’s closing price (6:59) Allowing employees to request additio...

How companies track mobile employees and manage tax compliance for their equity awards. Episode Notes: Global vs. Us domestic mobility (1:44) Business travelers (10:19) Remote workers (14:30) Getting budget for mobility compliance (21:06) Tracking employee locations (22:37) Use of third-party advisors to assist with tax calculations (26:51) How to approach mobility compliance (29:55) Tracking mobi...

Why stock price volatility is a problem when it comes to sizing grants and how using a multiday average and other approaches can help you manage your burn rate. Episode Notes: How companies typically determine grant sizes (0:58) The effect of declining stock prices on grant sizes (2:15) Pay equity considerations (4:19) Using a multiday average to denominate grants (7:14) What averaging period to u...

Galahad Dong on how his experience in the military helps him lead HRIS and Total Rewards (and equity compensation) at Simpson Strong-Tie. Episode Notes: Galahad’s origin story (0:36) His current role as director of HRIS and Total Rewards (2:06) How military experience helps in managing stock plans (3:49) Background on Simpson Strong-Tie (4:53) How Simpson-Strong-Tie uses equity (6:21) DEI programs...

Episode Notes: A note on this episode (1:34) Section 423 qualified vs. nonqualified plans (2:13) Fractional vs. whole share purchases (9:21) Cashless funding vs. limiting funding to payroll contributions (17:14) Lookback pricing vs. purchase date only pricing (28:04) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Four Ideas to Make Your ESPP More Equitable Could Fractional Shares Benefit Your Stock Plan Par...

Episode Notes: What are cashless ESPPs and how do they work? (3:50) Outset Medical’s path to a cashless ESPP (9:08) Features of Outset Medical’s new cashless ESPP (11:44) Employee reaction to Outset Medical’s new ESPP (13:31) Common concerns about cashless ESPPs (15:01) Current interest in cashless ESPPs (17:56) Resources Mentioned in this Episode The Problem with ESPPs Should You Consider a Cashl...

Episode Notes:  What is spring-loading? (00:40) Reminiscing about the option backdating scandal (4:58) Summary of the SEC’s guidance (8:49) Impact of SAB 120 on grant valuation (10:31) Practical implications of SAB 120 (14:27) Disclosures required for spring-loaded grants (19:06) Tips to avoid inadvertently spring-loading equity awards (23:30) Other Resources on This Topic: Examining the SEC’s New...

Christine Zwerling of Twilio describes her career path in equity compensation, offers tips to be more productive, and discusses her experience and interest in DEI and her interest in the NASPP's DEI Task Force.  Episode Notes: Christine’s origin story (1:06) Career challenges (8:39) Getting the advice you need (14:01) Productivity hacks (15:51) Superpowers (20:27) Diversity at the NASPP and C...

Hear how Paz Dizon, the current Head of Stock Plan Services at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, has crafted her career in equity compensation, including finding her superpower and leveraging relationships to drive learning and success.  Support the show

In this replay of one of our classic episodes, Sandra Sussman of SAP describes how they are able to offer an ESPP with a 40% match, offer financial assistance to help nonexecutives participate, and solve the challenge of tax withholding at the same time. Episode Notes: SAP's path to the Own SAP plan (1:55) How Own SAP works (3:30) The 40% Match and 20 Euro subsidy (4:45) How SAP manages tax w...

The latest data on how companies pay out equity awards to retirees and how retirement eligibility is determined. Plus, a discussion of the treatment of equity awards in the event of death and disability. Episode Notes: Criteria for determining retirement eligibility (1:06) Minimum age requirements (4:31) Minimum service requirements (6:43) Treatment of equity awards upon achieving retirement eligi...

Episode Notes: Prevalence of performance awards at tech companies vs. other industries (2:36) The growth of TSR Awards (4:52) Types of operational metrics that companies commonly tie vesting to (8:29) Use of ESG metrics in long-term incentives (9:46) Use of multiple performance metrics (11:43) Treatment of performance awards in changes in control (15:38) Resources Mentioned in this Episode: NASPP...

We ask Terry Adamson of Infinite Equity what he thinks about paying out TSR awards when performance is negative, using TSR as a modifier, custom peer groups and more. Episode Notes: How much more usage of TSR awards can we expect (1:50) Custom peer groups (4:06) Paying out awards for negative TSR performance (8:44) Using TSR as a payout modifier for other metrics (11:35) The benefits our measuring...

Episode Notes: Mark's background (1:33) Types of equity vehicles offered globally (2:07) Practices on adjusting awards by location (4:05) Prevalence of tax-qualified plans (8:09) Update on the UK (13:09) Update on Canada (16:35) Resources Mentioned in this Episode: NASPP Webinar:    Top Trends from the 2021 Equity Incentives Design Survey NASPP Webinar: Trends in Global Equity Incentives Equi...