Sanu Y. Dieng-Cooper is a candidate for Newport News Treasurer and is running as a Democrat. Her name will appear on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot. Dieng-Cooper is running against Justin Kennedy, an Independent candidate.
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10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. The bio is unedited; this is what the candidate submitted. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Sanu Y. Dieng-Cooper
Age: 40
Website: www.sanudcooper.com
Party: Democrat
Biography
Sanu Dieng-Cooper is a mother, wife to a two-time war veteran and advocate. She has built a robust foundation in leadership and financial management over 14 years in banking, credit management, and non-profit executive roles. With a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Hampton University, she has expertly managed multi-million-dollar budgets through effective budget management, strategic planning, and risk management. Her proven track record includes securing vital funding, implementing strategic financial plans that drive transparency, accountability, and growth, and establishing standard operating procedures to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Early in her career, Sanu engaged directly with individuals and families to provide essential financial education and options, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of financial literacy. Later, as an advocate and Executive Director at Transitions Family Violence Services, she observed how financial empowerment can enable survivors to make life-changing decisions—whether leaving unhealthy relationships, starting businesses, purchasing homes, or saving for college tuition. As a Policy Director for 70+ agencies, she secured funding and advanced policies to protect vulnerable families, experience that reflects the Treasurer’s duty to manage public dollars with accountability and transparency. Her commitment to financial empowerment is further underscored by her national recognition as an award-winning advocate.
Now, as a candidate for Treasurer of Newport News, Sanu is dedicated to ensuring that every citizen has the tools and knowledge for financial self-reliance. Her vision is anchored in the Triple E’s: Educating residents, Elevate technology, and Engaging with the public. By demystifying the functions of the Treasurer’s office and promoting robust financial literacy, she aims to drive breakthroughs that will build a more resilient, innovative, and inclusive Newport News.
Why are you running for office?
I am concerned about where our country is going and the very real day to day financial struggles our community is facing. I am running because I want to bring my extensive experience in finance management and policy advocacy to bear as Treasurer, especially during these uncertain times. We need to make sure we have the right leadership with the right experience so that we can move our city forward.
If you are elected, what will be your top priority in office?
As Treasurer, my top priority would be to elevate and streamline the efficiency of services offered in the Treasurer’s Office. This would look like identifying where to collaborate and share resources with the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office to improve customer experience, launching a Treasurer’s Office Mobile App so residents can easily pay taxes, check deadlines, and access financial resources anytime, anywhere. I would also prioritize revamp the Treasurer’s Office website for ease of use and accessibility.
What is the top challenge facing your office and how will you address it?
One of the biggest challenges facing the Treasurer’s Office is bridging the gap between the public and the office’s role—many residents don’t fully understand what the office does or how it impacts their daily lives. At the same time, with rising costs and economic uncertainty, we may see an increase in delinquencies. That’s why public engagement, financial education, and proactive communication are important.
