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Helen Sharkey

Consultant & Expert on Ethics, Compliance, Accountability & Whistleblower Responsibilities

Helen Sharkey
Travels From Travels From:
Houston, TX, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000
Virtual Event: Please Contact
More Fee Info
Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Corporate Strategy, ESG, Ethics & Integrity, Finance, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Resilience, Strategic Leadership, Sustainability
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Helen Sharkey Biography

When Helen Sharkey was hired as an accountant in 1996 by Dynegy—an up-and-coming energy trading company in Houston—she had no idea the job would ultimately lead to 28 days in a maximum-security federal prison. But that’s exactly what happened.

At the age of 28, Sharkey was the lowest-level employee on a $300 million structured finance transaction team called Project Alpha. Little did she know, Dynegy was following in the footsteps of Enron. Soon, the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation of Project Alpha, followed by criminal charges brought by the Justice Department against three employees, including Sharkey.

In August 2003, Sharkey pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

Today, Sharkey speaks about her experiences with brutal honesty and not a trace of self-pity. She talks about her excitement when she landed her “dream job” at Dynegy, only to be followed by dismay when she began to doubt the ethics of what they were doing and, ultimately, her complete loss of faith in the company. She details her gut-wrenching fear when she realized that the Justice Department was targeting her, her struggle with the decision to plead guilty, the shame of being branded a felon and her time behind bars. She talks about her mistakes frankly, yet also delivers a message of hope: even when things are at their darkest, never lose sight of the light at the end. Follow it and believe.

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

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Helen Sharkey 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

FAQs on booking Helen Sharkey

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

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Helen Sharkey for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Helen Sharkey, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 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 or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Helen Sharkey

    Speaking fees for Helen Sharkey, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Helen Sharkey are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Helen Sharkey, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Helen Sharkey speak about?

    Helen Sharkey is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Corporate Strategy, ESG, Ethics & Integrity, Finance, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Resilience, Strategic Leadership, Sustainability.

  • Where does Helen Sharkey travel from?

    Helen Sharkey generally travels from Houston, TX, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Helen Sharkey’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Helen Sharkey 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 Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Helen Sharkey for your next private or corporate function.

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Helen Sharkey is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Low Man on the Totem Pole – How I became a White Collar Criminal. The estimated speaking fee range to book Helen Sharkey for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Helen Sharkey 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, Sylvia Acevedo, Bruce Usher, Andrew Winston and Richard Bistrong. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Helen Sharkey for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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