Education Horizons: Diverse Impacts Across Sectors
Virtual Event
Shifting demographics, changing consumer preferences, and governmental policies and funding will have differing impacts for K-12, charter schools, and higher education. The 2025 outlooks for the K-12, charter schools, and higher education sectors reflect a convergence of factors that will impact each sector differently.
Topics include:
- Do demographics equal destiny for education providers?
- How will changing consumer preferences alter the competitive landscape?
- What revenue opportunities and budgetary challenges will institutions face in the coming year?
- How will institutions manage their capital investment needs?
- Will there be more mergers, closures, or affiliations in each sector?
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SpeakersSusan Fitzgerald Managing Director – Public Finance Moody's Ratings
Susan Shaffer Vice President - Senior Credit Officer, US Public Finance Moody's Ratings
David Levett Vice President - Senior Analyst Moody's Ratings
Alex Rawlings Assistant Vice President -Analyst Moody’s Ratings
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Event Manager
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Suheylee Fragoso at Suheylee.Fragoso@moodys.com.
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Susan Fitzgerald is a Managing Director in Moody’s Ratings Public Finance Group, overseeing the healthcare, higher education, housing and municipal supported products ratings teams. Previously, she managed Moody’s global higher education and nonprofit team, covering over 700 colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions worldwide. She has also been involved in various initiatives related to ESG analysis, charter schools, and public-private partnerships.
Susan’s other prior work experience includes managing the financial advisory practice at a boutique investment banking and advisory firm; serving as commercial credit analyst for a community bank; owning and operating an art gallery and a bed and breakfast; and as the assistant director of development, focused on foundation and corporate relations, for a graduate school.
Susan holds a Master’s degree in International Studies (European Studies and Economics) from The Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies. Her A.B. degree in Diplomacy and World Affairs, with a minor in Economics, is from Occidental College, Los Angeles.
Susan Shaffer is a VP-Senior Credit Officer on Moody’s Higher Education and Not-for Profit Team. She covers the ratings of a diverse portfolio of institutions, including Ivy League universities, large public university systems, and nationally prominent not-for profit organizations.
Prior to joining Moody’s, Susan served as Senior Vice President at New York State’s economic development agency, Empire State Development, where she oversaw economic incentive programs for New York State businesses and major educational and not-for profit institutions. Previously, she worked in admissions and marketing in the higher education sector at Tulane University and New York University as well as in recruitment at Ernst and Young Consulting. Susan holds a B.A. in Classics from Tulane University and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
David is a Vice President on the Midwest Regional Ratings Team. He is the lead analyst for the City of Detroit and the City of Chicago. He was previously the lead analyst for Chicago Public Schools and Cook County, as well as the state lead for Illinois and Michigan local government credits. David has experience working in state government, local government and the non-profit sector. Most recently, he was a Financial Analyst for the City of Rochester Hills in Southeast Michigan. David holds a MPA degree from the University of Delaware and a BA in political science from Western Michigan University.
Alex Rawlings is an Assistant Vice President – Analyst on the charter school ratings team, working out of the Dallas office and primarily covering charter schools located in the western United States. He’s previously worked as a local government ratings analyst at both Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings where he rated cities, counties, school districts, and special purpose districts. Alex holds a Master of Science in Applied Economics with Predictive Analytics, a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Finance Applications, and a Bachelor of Arts in Markets and Culture, all from Southern Methodist University.