Dennis Gephardt is a Vice President – Senior Credit Officer on Moody’s Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Team with over one dozen years of experience in the industry. He is the lead analyst for a diverse portfolio of colleges and universities as well as a variety of not-for-profit organizations. He serves on Moody’s liquidity and charter school task force groups. Dennis was the lead author for the several rating methodologies, including the one for Not-for-Profit Organizations (other than Healthcare and Higher Education). He has authored publications on various higher education topics including liquidity, the credit challenges of small colleges, and mergers within the sector.

Dennis graduated from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University with an MBA. Dennis holds a BA and an MA in History from the New College of Florida and the College of William and Mary, respectively.

Sanjay Motwani is an Assistant Vice President in Moody’s Public Finance Group and is responsible for a diverse portfolio of higher education and not-for-profit credits across the United States.

Prior to joining the team, Sanjay served as Audit Manager at Moody’s with a focus on leading operational reviews across MIS credit rating services. Previously, he worked within Internal Audit at New York University and Chubb Limited. Sanjay holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BS from Rutgers University in Finance and Economics

Patrick Ronk is an Associate Vice President - Analyst for the Higher Education and Not-for-Profits Ratings Team.

Prior to joining Moody's, Patrick worked as a Research Associate for the Citizens Budget Commission, a think tank and good government group focused on New York City and State's public services. Prior to that, he was a Senior Associate at Cornerstone Government Affairs, a bipartisan lobbying and government relations firm in Washington, DC. Patrick holds an MPA from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland.

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.

Emily Raimes is an Associate Managing Director in Moody’s Ratings Public Finance Group, overseeing the global higher education and nonprofit team, covering over 700 colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions worldwide.

Previously, she managed the States Team, covering state credits across the US. Prior to joining Moody’s in 2006, Emily spent seven years at the New York City Office of Management and Budget, working primarily in Economic Analysis. Emily holds a BA degree in government from Wesleyan University and a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University.

Michael Osborn covers a diverse portfolio of colleges and universities as well as a variety of not-for-profit organizations primarily in the Midwest and Western United States. Michael has authored various sector related publications, including the Higher Education Outlook and extensive research on the impact of cyber security in higher education. His higher education experience extends to time spent in banking and working directly for a small liberal arts college. Michael was a Vice President in the Education and Not-for-Profit practice at Wells Fargo Bank. He was also the Senior Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at a private college. Michael holds an MBA from Fordham University and a BA from Michigan State University

Susan Shaffer manages a portfolio of highly complex higher education and nonprofit institutions across the United States, particularly in the northeastern and southern US. She also oversees the department’s nonprofit sector and special credit and operations projects. In addition, Susan is a regular speaker at a variety of industry conferences and has become widely recognized as one of the leading voices for higher education and nonprofit organization credit nationally. Her authorship of research pieces covers topics such as the higher education outlook, leadership and governance challenges, pricing strategies, and self-liquidity issuance.

Prior to joining Moody’s, Susan managed financial incentive programs that support New York State businesses and major institutions as part of New York State’s economic development agency, Empire State Development. Her higher education sector expertise includes roles in admissions and marketing at Tulane University and New York University. Susan holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a BA in Classics from Tulane University.