Title: Senior Vice President
Firm: Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc.
Age: 38
Sara Cheek didn't plan on providing banking advisory services to municipalities across Texas on an all-women team, but she's sure glad that's how it turned out. After losing her job in the recession in 2009, Cheek was cruising Career Builder and Monster.com and came across an opportunity at HilltopSecurities. She took it, started learning about municipal finance and never looked back.
Since joining Ramirez's Texas public finance banking team six years ago, Cheek has participated in more than $50 billion of bond issuances for various clients across Texas, including airports, cities/counties, hospitals, transit/transportation, school districts and state-level issuers.
The all-women team at Ramirez has been an added plus for Cheek. "It's an empowering team led by Robin Redford and Lorry Palacios. They have created a wonderful environment. We all wake up with the same goal of working hard for clients and empowering women. We live it every day," said Cheek.
In 2025, Cheek led the firm's $840 million bond issuance for the Dallas Independent School District, the largest negotiated issue it ever offered. "The Dallas Independent School District deal was the biggest deal we have ever done at the firm in our Texas office. I was proud to lead the team coverage and execute on the deal," said Cheek.
"It is such a pleasure to work with Sara on behalf of the city of Dallas and this is a much-deserved recognition of her expertise and dedication," said Jenny Kerzman, Dallas assistant director of treasury.
Outside of work, Cheek is a member of the National and Texas Women in Public Finance chapters, Civic League serving the Farmers Branch-Addison-Carrollton area, and National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges.
