A tribute to Yvette Shields

The untimely death of Yvette Shields has left an irreparable void in the municipal bond business. This void may never be closed because it represents a deep pain in our collective hearts.

Many of us for years have toiled away in this great industry to build communities.

There have been challenges along the way such as 9/11, 2009, various tax bills attempting to eliminate tax or private-activity bonds, and the pandemic. We have seen interest rates ebb and flow and many creative deals.

In the Midwest and beyond there was one person we all counted on to tell the stories of how our profession responded to these challenges and trends and that was Yvette Shields.

She was an intelligent journalist that fully grasped the complexities of this business. After many years of working with her as a banker, rating agency executive and academic I never once experienced material inaccuracy.

Her writing skills and timely coverage of important stories informed all stake holders in our business and added value to the workings of the market.

She was inquisitive and relentless in seeking out the best minds in government, banking, municipal advisory, capital markets desks, rating agencies, bond counsel, insurers and the rating agencies, salespeople, insurers, and investors.

This was always done with one goal in mind and that was to provide market participants with facts and the truth. The hallmark of a great journalist.

In addition to he professionalism there was a more important aspect that defined Yvette. She was simply a nice person. Always upbeat, helpful and kind.

While she clearly understood her role as a member of the fourth estate, she was a well-loved member of our big municipal bond family.

I personally, will miss her stories, her presence at Bond Buyer conferences and other events. I will miss her familiar voice on the phone. After every interview we often spoke of our personal lives including friends and family.

I am certain this is how Yvette treated everybody she engaged with in muni land.

I don’t know if I can capture the sentiment of my colleagues. All I can tell you right now is that I am very sad about the untimely death of this highly regarded professional. I will miss her and write this with sorrow in my heart.

I hope there are public private partnerships, airports, toll roads, and schools being funded in the heavens. There certainly must be pension problems as people live forever up there. Hopefully this will keep Yvette busy.

Yvette thank you for all you brought to our industry and for being a really decent human being. We will miss you and always love you.