Sharon Epperson

Sharon Epperson is a recognized figure in the world of finance and journalism, with a regular presence on CNBC television and other media platforms. In her capacity as CNBC's senior personal finance correspondent, Epperson expands on a wide array of subjects concerning personal finances. Her areas of expertise include saving and investing for retirement, tackling mortgage, student loan, credit card, and other forms of debt, and offering guidance on estate planning. With a knack for breaking down complex finance-related concepts, Epperson is known for her digital video series "Retire Well."

Emphasizing the importance of financial preparedness for unforeseen circumstances is a personal aspect of her reporting. In 2016, Epperson herself experienced a life-threatening ruptured brain aneurysm yet managed to recover without any permanent brain damage. This incident not only made her a strong advocate for health and wellness issues but also led her to raise awareness about brain aneurysms and garner funding for research. In 2018, together with her family, she established "The Sharon Epperson Chair of Research" through the Brain Aneurysm Foundation to support research on early detection and innovative treatments.

Epperson is an integral contributor to "Invest in You: Ready. Set. Grow.", a CNBC initiative aimed at promoting financial wellness and education. She also contributes to NBC's TODAY and NBC Nightly News, Today.com, and NBCNews.com. Moreover, she has shared her insights on personal finance in a column for USA Weekend magazine, and her writings have been featured in Essence magazine, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Self magazine.

She has authored the book "The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take to Make the Most of Their Money and Live Richly Ever After," which was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Awards, which celebrates works that have positively impacted millions of lives. She was also a contributing writer for "The Experts' Guide to Doing Things Faster."

Throughout her illustrious career, Epperson has received numerous industry and civic awards. Some of the notable awards include 1st place honors from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Gracie Allen Award from the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television, the Special Achievement Award from the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), and the Savvy Inspiration Award from the non-profit, financial empowerment group Savvy Ladies.

Epperson is passionate about improving financial literacy, especially in underserved communities. She frequently speaks at conferences and events for local and national organizations, colleges, and universities on a myriad of personal finance topics. Epperson also has had the opportunity to speak about financial literacy at the White House during President Obama's administration and to moderate a public meeting of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability at the U.S. Treasury Department.

Since 2000, Epperson has been an adjunct instructor of international affairs at Columbia University's School of International Public Affairs, where she also taught courses at Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and government from Harvard University and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University. Epperson currently lives in Westchester County, N.Y., with her husband, Christopher John Farley, an award-winning journalist and author, and their two children.