Witad Awards 2023: Rising star (vendor), sales, marketing and UX—Ryan Donahue, Moody’s Analytics

Competition breeds innovation—and likewise, a competitive spirit fosters an innovative outlook. Ryan Donahue knows this well. A keen long-distance runner with a few half marathons under her belt, Donahue’s hard-working approach to sales and understanding of customer mindsets saw her achieve two promotions at Moody’s since she joined the firm in 2016.

In the past year, Donahue developed 61 content pieces showcasing how Moody’s data solves market challenges. She also co-authored an article on Bed Bath & Beyond that uncovered the company’s increased credit risk using Moody’s quantitative credit risk data, before the firm announced the possibility of bankruptcy. Her article was the first in-depth case study on a listed company using the newly launched early warning risk solution. “I’ve always loved putting the story together,” she says. “Seeing the breadth of pieces come to life and be used by global sales teams to promote our new product is something I’m truly proud of.”

Donahue was the lead marketer for the 2022 Moody’s Credit Risk Forum customer events in New York and London. She led day-to-day planning and coordination of stakeholders, target audience, messaging and internal and external promotion, which helped to bring in a record attendance.

Another aspect of Donahue’s life she is proud of is her steadfast commitment to the development of more women leaders. She names her mother and best friend from college as the biggest influences on her career, and regularly shares best practices and advice with the two of them. She’s volunteered at her former all-girl’s high school as an alumnae class agent for 17 years and has participated in that capacity at a career day and fundraising events.

“My mom had a successful career in corporate America during a time when there were fewer opportunities for women, especially women with young children. She showed me by example the importance of hard work and staying true to your values. While advancing in her career, she always found time for her family and volunteering in her community,” Donahue explains. With an NYC charity marathon on the horizon, Donahue will hope that she can set the pace in that race as successfully as she has done in the workplace.