Client Networking Happy Hour | Executive Compensation 2023: Current Trends and Avoiding Pitfalls in a Complex Environment

Executive Compensation 2023: Current Trends and Avoiding Pitfalls in a Complex Environment

We are thrilled to be joined by J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s Devin Blackburn (Head of Executive Compensation) and Doug Leister (Private Banker) for a discussion about current trends in executive compensation and employment contracts. Additional topics that will be covered include potential traps and pitfalls for corporate executives when they join or leave a company.

Devin Blackburn is a Managing Director and the Head of Executive Compensation Advisory for J.P. Morgan Private Bank Advice Lab. In her role, Devin leads a team of specialists who work with clients and advisors to optimize equity-linked compensation and drive informed decision making related to concentrated stock positions, IPO-generated wealth, and employment and severance packages. She develops widely published thought leadership to address issues that impact corporate executives and is also a frequent guest speaker and featured panelist, sharing insights with peers and practitioners.

As a former practicing corporate tax attorney, Devin advised public and private companies on tax planning and structuring of complex transactions, as well as IRS tax controversy and dispute resolution. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, she was Senior Tax Counsel and Director of Executive Wealth Advisory at a global wealth management firm where she advised wealthy families on wealth transfer and the impact of tax legislation,­ and also institutionalized the strategic direction for advising corporate executives and insiders throughout their journey in the C-suite.

Devin earned a B.S. in Finance from Florida State University, a J.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law, and a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.

Passionate about art history, Devin currently serves as a Commissioner of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, where she strives to tell the story of America by portraying people who have shaped the nation’s history, development, and culture.

Doug Leister is a Private Banker in the J.P. Morgan Private Bank where he leads a team focused on corporate executives and clients with concentrated stock positions. He provides client-specific advice across investing, lending, banking, and advanced planning strategies for wealth forecasting, tax and estate planning, managing concentrated stock positions, and multi-generational wealth transfer. Doug also leverages his previous experience as a portfolio manager of a multi-asset portfolio to advise on asset allocation, diversification, portfolio construction, reducing concentration risk, alternative investments, and tax-efficient investing.

Doug joined the firm in 2015 from Bridgewater Associates where he provided investment advice on portfolio construction and alternative investments to family offices, endowments, foundations, and corporate pensions. Before Bridgewater, he worked at Bernstein Global Wealth Management where he advised high net worth families on asset allocation, retirement planning and tax and estate planning. Prior to Bernstein, Doug spent 10 years in the technology industry in various sales and marketing roles.

Doug received a B.S. in Paper Science and Engineering from Miami (OH) University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He is a member of the Joffrey Ballet Development Committee, Chairs the New Member Committee at The Chicago Club, and is active in the Harvard Business School Club. Doug lives in Winnetka with his wife and two daughters and enjoys golf, listening to independent rock music, and traveling.