Helen Sharkey-Gebhard

Helen Sharkey-Gebhard

Keynote Speaker: Corporate Ethics & Accountability Expert; Former CPA; Whistleblower Responsibility Advocate; Workplace Ethics Speaker

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Helen Sharkey-Gebhard Biography

Helen Sharkey is a professional ethics speaker and consultant known for her expertise in corporate accountability, whistleblower responsibility, and workplace ethics. A former certified public accountant, Sharkey shares her personal experience with corporate fraud to highlight the importance of ethical decision-making and the consequences of silence in business environments. Her presentations provide insight into how ordinary professionals can become entangled in legal and ethical violations, drawing from her involvement in a high-profile structured finance transaction at Dynegy, an energy trading company in Houston.

Sharkey was the lowest-level employee on a $300 million structured finance transaction team called Project Alpha. During the transaction, she witnessed a request from a bank that would have violated accounting rules. Despite recognizing the wrongdoing, Sharkey followed her supervisor’s directive to proceed, which ultimately led to her involvement in securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission investigated Project Alpha, resulting in criminal charges brought by the Justice Department against Sharkey and two other employees. She pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, served 28 days in federal prison, spent six months under house arrest, and paid a $10,000 fine. No senior executives were charged in connection with the case.

Sharkey now educates audiences on ethics, compliance, and the risks of ignoring red flags in the workplace. She discusses the challenges she faced during the investigation, her decision to plead guilty, and the personal and professional consequences of her actions. Sharkey’s story serves as a cautionary tale for employees and leaders in corporate governance, risk management, and compliance, emphasizing that following orders does not absolve individuals of legal responsibility.

Sharkey has spoken at the University of Houston-Victoria School of Business Administration Distinguished Speaker Series, the Houston Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and Lamar University's ExxonMobil Executive in Residence Program, where she delivered her talk, "How I Became a..." Her presentations are recognized for their candid exploration of ethical dilemmas and their impact on individuals and organizations. Sharkey advocates for a culture of transparency and encourages professionals to speak up when confronted with unethical practices, reinforcing the critical role of ethics in business and finance.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Helen Sharkey-Gebhard and other top speakers and celebrities.

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Helen Sharkey-Gebhard Speaking Topics

Low Man on the Totem Pole – How I became a White Collar Criminal

  1. Background
  2. Mark to Market Accounting Overview – dangers/ risks and side effects (i.e., “gap Between earnings and cash flows)
  3. “Project Alpha” myths debunked
  4. NO off-balance sheet debt or inflation of earnings ii. Accounting Issue was a reclassification on the statement of cash flows FROM an operating cash flow to a financing cash flow (i.e., a loan)
  5. Project Alpha – how it came to be
  6. AA tax savings strategy pitched to Dynegy /combined with a long-term physical pre-paid gas transaction
  7. Early warning signs
  8. Accounting Rules – vagueness surrounding “at risk” requirements for SPE’s
  9. Closing the Transaction – New York
  10. Issues with the bank and references to Enron that foreshadowed its collapse
  11. “Deal breaker” moments
  12. The After-math
  13. October 2001 – Enron SEC investigation announced – “aha” moments
  14. April 2002 – Wall Street Journal article exposes “Project Alpha” and SEC announces Dynegy investigation
  15. Dynegy and bank settle with the SEC
  16. The Department of Justice Announces Criminal Investigation
  17. Individuals working on the transactions become targets
  18. June 12, 2003 – 3 Dynegy employees charged with Securities Fraud and wire and mail fraud
  19. Changing plea from innocent to guilty
  20. November 2003 - Jamie Olis trial
  21. Living with sentencing looming
  22. The Sentencing
  23. Preparing for Prison - “Club Fed” doesn’t exist – what Prison is really like
  24. “Project Alpha” Players - where are they now?
  25. Lessons to live by
  26. Trust your Gut
  27. Look out for yourself because no one else will
  28. The Securities laws and what they mean for you – Corporate Hierarchy means nothing to the SEC/DOJ

How do I book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is Below $10,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Helen Sharkey-Gebhard, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Helen Sharkey-Gebhard speak about?

Helen Sharkey-Gebhard is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Ethics & Integrity, Finance, Overcoming Adversity, Resilience, Motivational, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Strategy, Sustainability, ESG, Women in Business, Storytelling, Business Consulting and Government.

Where does Helen Sharkey-Gebhard travel from?

Helen Sharkey-Gebhard generally travels from Houston, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Helen Sharkey-Gebhard or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Helen Sharkey-Gebhard is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Ethics & Integrity, Finance and Overcoming Adversity. The estimated speaking fee range to book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for live events is Below $10,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Helen Sharkey-Gebhard generally travels from Houston, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Andrew Fastow, Erika Obando and Jason Young. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for an upcoming event.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 05/07/2026.

Helen Sharkey-Gebhard Speaking Topics

  • Low Man on the Totem Pole – How I became a White Collar Criminal

    1. Background
    2. Mark to Market Accounting Overview – dangers/ risks and side effects (i.e., “gap Between earnings and cash flows)
    3. “Project Alpha” myths debunked
    4. NO off-balance sheet debt or inflation of earnings ii. Accounting Issue was a reclassification on the statement of cash flows FROM an operating cash flow to a financing cash flow (i.e., a loan)
    5. Project Alpha – how it came to be
    6. AA tax savings strategy pitched to Dynegy /combined with a long-term physical pre-paid gas transaction
    7. Early warning signs
    8. Accounting Rules – vagueness surrounding “at risk” requirements for SPE’s
    9. Closing the Transaction – New York
    10. Issues with the bank and references to Enron that foreshadowed its collapse
    11. “Deal breaker” moments
    12. The After-math
    13. October 2001 – Enron SEC investigation announced – “aha” moments
    14. April 2002 – Wall Street Journal article exposes “Project Alpha” and SEC announces Dynegy investigation
    15. Dynegy and bank settle with the SEC
    16. The Department of Justice Announces Criminal Investigation
    17. Individuals working on the transactions become targets
    18. June 12, 2003 – 3 Dynegy employees charged with Securities Fraud and wire and mail fraud
    19. Changing plea from innocent to guilty
    20. November 2003 - Jamie Olis trial
    21. Living with sentencing looming
    22. The Sentencing
    23. Preparing for Prison - “Club Fed” doesn’t exist – what Prison is really like
    24. “Project Alpha” Players - where are they now?
    25. Lessons to live by
    26. Trust your Gut
    27. Look out for yourself because no one else will
    28. The Securities laws and what they mean for you – Corporate Hierarchy means nothing to the SEC/DOJ

  • How do I book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard or any other speaker of your choice.

  • How much does it cost to book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is Below $10,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Helen Sharkey-Gebhard, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Helen Sharkey-Gebhard speak about?

    Helen Sharkey-Gebhard is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Ethics & Integrity, Finance, Overcoming Adversity, Resilience, Motivational, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Strategy, Sustainability, ESG, Women in Business, Storytelling, Business Consulting and Government.

  • Where does Helen Sharkey-Gebhard travel from?

    Helen Sharkey-Gebhard generally travels from Houston, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

  • Who is the agent for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Helen Sharkey-Gebhard or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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