Title: Associate Director
Firm: S&P Global Ratings
Age: 35
Diana Cooke is a born analyst. After earning her degree in math and economics from the University of Connecticut, she began her career as a research analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, positioning herself for a Ph.D. in urban economics. However, during her doctoral studies, Diana reconsidered her path.
"I was dissatisfied with my Ph.D. program," Diana said. "Successful research seemed driven by data availability, not curiosity. Without real-world exposure, I couldn't even ask the most interesting questions. It felt like I was in a bubble while all the dynamics I cared to learn about were happening outside," she says.
After two years, Diana left the program and joined the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, where she realized that many government challenges come down to funding. This insight led her to seek roles that combined public policy and finance, ultimately landing at a boutique municipal bond investment firm — where she knew she had found her niche.
Today, Diana is right at home at S&P Global Ratings, where she has built a reputation for candor in expressing bold opinions and a commitment to analytical excellence. "I genuinely believe in the integrity of our ratings, and my curiosity to understand the nuances of each credit — no matter the size — motivates me to maintain this high standard," she says.
Diana recently co-created a framework to evaluate the fiscal health of local governments and utilities, helping harmonize credit opinions across sectors. She also received an enterprise-wide award from S&P's CEO for her work developing an internal economic insights dashboard.
Diana supports colleagues early in their careers. "I had invaluable guidance when I entered the bond world, and I make sure to pass that on," she adds.
