10-16-2025
Stephanie Peavler went to management several years ago with an idea. Peavler, the chief financial officer at BSA LifeStructures, which is the architect of record for the new Daniels School building, wanted to provide commissions for the principals who were out drumming up business for the company.
Company leadership pushed back, fearing it would cause too much infighting. She shelved the idea until a couple of years ago, when the leadership team was different. This time, the idea was implemented. “It helps to get advocates at a high level,” Peavler said.
Speaking to students in the Executive Forum, Peavler also discussed the benefits of having an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP, which is a qualified retirement plan that gives workers ownership interest in the company in the form of stock shares.
“When we became an ESOP in 2017, our share price was about $5. This past year, it was $51. When people start seeing their balances and know that they had a hand in creating that value and what it’s doing for their family, I think it’s a really big motivator,” she said, adding that employees began suggesting cost-saving procedures from recycling to using less paper.
The Executive Forum is one of the most popular courses at Purdue. Guest speakers come to campus each week to share their career insights and experiences with students. Dave Randich, a strategic management lecturer at the Daniels School, is the course instructor.
Listen to and watch Peavler’s Executive Forum class:
The Daniels School’s Executive Forum is held in person on the West Lafayette campus and is open to the public, as seating permits. Follow the business school on LinkedIn to learn about upcoming Forum speakers and more.
