Dan Walter

(415) 625-3406 direct
(917) 734-4649 mobile
877-803-9255, x700 toll free
dwalter@performensation.com

Dan Walter is a Consultant with Grahall, LLC, specializing in compensation and pay for performance. He is also the founder and CEO of Performensation, LLC – a boutique compensation consulting firm specializing in aligning pay with corporate culture and strategy. The firm has offices in San Francisco, Portland, OR and Durango, CO. Dan is a consultant to boards of directors, their compensation committees, and members of company management. He specializes in all aspects of pay and places a specific focus in the areas of reward strategy, executive and broad-based compensation, and communications, which includes stock-based compensation, short-term and long-term cash incentive/retention compensation, start-up and IPO programs.

He has over 20 years of experience in the compensation and benefits field. He advises organizations in all industries including privately-held, ESOP, smaller public companies in technology and professional services, and those who are unique or hybridized industries. He is recognized as a leading compensation consultant and speaker in the U.S. and abroad.

He has worked as a Principal Consultant, Senior Vice President and Director at major consulting firms, financial institutions and entrepreneurial start-ups, and has managed communications, technology, operations, and consulting practices before founding Performensation in 2006.

He has authored and contributed to multiple books including – Everything in Compensation is Communication published by BOW Press, GPS: Stock Options published by the CEPI at Santa Clara University and the NCEO, and the following books published by The National Center for Employee Ownership:

  • Performance-Based Equity Compensation
  • The Decision-Maker’s Guide to Equity Compensation
  • Equity Alternatives: Restricted Stock, Performance Awards, Phantom Stock, SARs, and More
  • If I’d Only Known That

Dan has served on the board of the National Center for Employee Ownership and the advisory board for HR.com. He is the founder of Equity Compensation Experts, which is the largest independent networking group of professionals. He has earned the designations of Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP) through World at Work and Certified Equity Professional (CEP) through Santa Clara University.