Helen Sharkey-Gebhard

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

Houston, TX, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info
Business Consulting, Corporate Strategy, ESG, Ethics & Integrity, Finance, Government, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Resilience, Storytelling, Strategic Leadership, Sustainability, Women in Business
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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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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/06/2026.

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

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  • What are the speaker fees for Helen Sharkey-Gebhard

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  • What topics does Helen Sharkey-Gebhard speak about?

    Helen Sharkey-Gebhard is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business Consulting, Corporate Strategy, ESG, Ethics & Integrity, Finance, Government, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Resilience, Storytelling, Strategic Leadership, Sustainability, Women in Business

  • Where does Helen Sharkey-Gebhard travel from?

    Helen Sharkey-Gebhard 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.

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Helen Sharkey-Gebhard 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-Gebhard for your event is available upon request. 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, Jason Young, Erika Cheung and Jones Loflin. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Helen Sharkey-Gebhard for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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