NEW YORK, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announced today the appointment of Holly Kulka as Global Chief Compliance Officer.  Based in New York, Ms. Kulka will report to Neeraj Sahai, President of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, and Robert Easton, Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer of McGraw Hill Financial, Inc. and will be a member of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services' Executive Committee.

In this role, Ms. Kulka will work with senior leadership to uphold the highest standards with regard to all relevant laws and regulations, as well as with internal policies and industry best practices.

"As we continue to enhance S&P Ratings' risk management and compliance environment, Holly brings deep experience in her field," said Neeraj Sahai, President, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.  "I look forward to working with her as we enhance our compliance function in an ever-changing legal landscape." 

"We welcome Holly to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services," said Rob Easton, Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer of McGraw Hill Financial.  "Through her considerable expertise, she will lead our efforts to promote a culture of compliance and industry best practices throughout our organization."  

Previously, Ms. Kulka served as Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel for Intercontinental Exchange Inc., which acquired NYSE Euronext.  As a member of the executive leadership team, she was chiefly responsible for regulatory strategy and affairs, government relations, litigation, investigations, antitrust, insurance and auditor relationships. 

Before joining Intercontinental Exchange Inc., Ms. Kulka was a partner at the law firm of Heller Ehrman LLP, representing companies and individuals in state and federal commercial and regulatory investigations and litigations through trial. 

Ms. Kulka holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, and graduated from Williams College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  She is admitted to the bars in New York, New Jersey, California and Washington, D.C.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a part of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), is the world's leading provider of independent credit risk research and benchmarks. We have approximately 1.2 million credit ratings outstanding on government, corporate, financial sector and structured finance entities and securities. With nearly 1,400 credit analysts in 26 countries, and more than 150 years' experience of assessing credit risk, we offer a unique combination of global coverage and local insight. Our research and opinions about relative credit risk provide market participants with information and independent benchmarks that help to support the growth of transparent, liquid debt markets worldwide.

SOURCE Standard & Poor's Ratings Services