Title: Vice President and Group Credit Officer, U.S. Public Finance Group
Firm: Moody's Investors Service
Age: 34
Sarah Jansen is responsible for maintaining all Moody's Investors Service Public Finance Group ratings, working closely with rating analysts and managers to identify credit risks.
In that capacity, she also acts as the chair for sector portfolio reviews and provides training and guidance to rating teams to ensure consistency across rating practices and policies.
"What I'm most proud of working at Moody's is the high level of analytical integrity and collaboration we have across the company," Sarah said. "Getting to work with different colleagues in different offices across the country and different ratings groups. I'm on our Ratings and Oversight Group, so I get to see all the facets of public finance."
She helped roll out the new cities and counties rating methodology, leading discussions on debt instruments, understanding the nuances of debt securities across 50 states and assisting with data collection efforts.
In her almost 12 years with Moody's, she's also served as lead analyst for the Dallas Local Governments Ratings Team, primarily covering Texas and Louisiana.
Sarah was introduced to the world of public finance while taking a public financial management class in graduate school at the University of Texas, where she participated in a mock bond ratings project.
But her work outside of Moody's is just as important.
"Sarah's support for her community is exemplified by her participation in three boards at church (children, youth and school)," said Jeff Berg, associate managing director and group credit officer at Moody's.
"She also periodically volunteers at her children's school, packs food bags for an organization that supports homeless families, and packs meals that are shipped to children in countries with high food insecurity," he said. "She as well has supported Moody's efforts at large in the community, participating in organized events, including assembling science kits for STEM learning and preparing encouraging bracelets and notes for health care workers."
