Karen Fitzgerald, CFA

As Senior Director and Sector Head for Community Development & Social Lending (CDSL) in U.S. Public Finance (USPF) at Fitch Ratings, Karen Fitzgerald, CFA, provides analytical and managerial leadership for the CDSL team. Karen has broad knowledge and insight into the debt and capital markets and a comprehensive understanding of rating criteria across USPF and Structured Finance asset classes. She leads the development of criteria, methodology and sector credit factors for affordable housing, essential housing, and military housing transactions, as well as for CDFIs and HFAs. Karen also regularly publishes clear and forward looking research, commentary and reports that communicate Fitch's views on topical issues in the affordable housing and community development sectors. Karen is well-known for initiating and driving collaboration between her team and other areas of Fitch to develop new analytical approaches for rating complex and novel transactions. She is also frequently invited to speak at major industry conferences, showcasing her knowledge and expertise in the affordable housing and community development sectors. Prior to joining Fitch, Karen spent over two decades at S&P Global Ratings, where she developed a reputation as a recognized leader in affordable housing and municipal structured finance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School, a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA in finance from Yale University’s School of Management. Karen is based in Fitch’s San Francisco office.