SYNOPSIS
Retirement planning and procrastination can be the best of frenemies. Inconsistent income, high cost of living, choice overload, and the seemingly overwhelming time commitment required for developing and executing a strategy often fuels discouragement and inaction. As a result, this time sensitive work is put off for another day, month, or year. However, understanding the various components of retirement planning unique to actors could be the first step in helping you build confidence in making informed and effective financial decisions. Join us for an evening with experts who will clarify and piece together the fundamentals of SAG-AFTRA Pensions, Social Security, IRAs, and other investments.  

[This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA Foundation. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.]

PANELIST BIOS

David Maurice Sharp - Artist, Financial Professional
David Maurice Sharp is the author of The Thriving Artist: Saving and Investing for Performers, Artists, and the Stage & Film Industries and a contributing author to A Life In Dance:  A Practical Guide.  In October 2014, he was named a 'money hero' for his work in financial literacy for artists by Money magazine.  He currently teaches workshops at HB Studio in New York City.

David’s unique background allows him to relate to his audience both as an artist and as a financial professional. He danced with the Mimi Garrard Dance Theatre from 1993 to 2001, as well as with other companies including Lucinda Childs, Blondell Cummings, Sean Curran, Rachel Lampert, Heidi Latsky, Lonne Moretton, and Anna Sokolow. His choreography has been performed at such venues as Lincoln Center, La Mama, Soho Rep, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and HERE; and his video work, Shadow Dance, received a Silver Award from the Dance on Camera Festival.

Bailie Slevin - Founder/Business Manager/Financial Consultant, Entertaining Finance
Bailie is the founder of Entertaining Finance and the perfect combination of finance ninja and theater nerd. With 11 years of experience as a financial adviser, recipient of the HBX Core Program and Leading With Finance Certificates (sponsored by Harvard Business School) as well as a hefty resume in theater, she is redefining planning for artists and entrepreneurs. She’s worked with Certified Financial Services and Forest Hills Financial Group and teaches Financial Literacy and Well-being workshops and speaks throughout the region on the specifics of Financial Management for Artists. 

As a stage manager, general manager, and producer on Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway, Tony Awards, Drama Desk, OBIE Awards, and IT Awards pepper Bailie’s resume. Some of her favorite projects include The Norman Conquests, Altar Boyz, Naked Boys Singing!, Pursuit of Persephone, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant, and Popesical in Concert at Joe’s Pub. She currently serves as a board member for The PATH Fund who produce Rockers on Broadway, and is a board member emeritus for Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU), a training ground for tomorrows theatrical producers. Bailie is has also joined Backstage.com as their Finance Expert.

Arthur Bradford - SAG-AFTRA Pension & Health Manager New York Office

Lynnell Herzer - Supervisor, Seniors and Disabled Program, Actors Fund
Lynnell Herzer is the Supervisor of the Seniors and Disabled Program at the Actors Fund. She began her career in the business world working as an HR Manager in San Francisco. After 5 years, in fulfilling a dream, she quit her job to join the Peace Corps, then backpacked around the world. She realized that the part of HR that she loved was helping people manage through unexpected circumstances or difficult moments. So upon returning to the states she went back to school for her Masters in Social Work at NYU. She was an intern at the Actors Fund in her second year, and she loved the work, the organization, and you our clients so much she never left. She is passionate about getting information into the hands of people before they need it, so when faced with new situations clients are prepared, and their life’s choices expand.