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This is how you ended up being a founding member of Carlyle’s corporate mezzanine business.

I was an associate in the group, and it gave me a taste of what it was like to start something new – not as the leader but as a young ambitious person who was happy to be a jack of all trades.

«Nobody is opening doors for you – you might have to climb through a window»

I often recommend to people who are looking to get around real or perceived barriers to look for a spot where people are really going to value you as an individual. And some of that might be joining something small.

You’ve talked about the role of luck in being a founding member there. What about women who don't see those doors opening?

I think another misconception is the idea that people are opening doors for you. You have to find the door, and if you can't find the door, you have to pry open a window to climb through it.

So determination and mettle as a big factor?

When we talk about how few of the people make it into management in the ten largest private equity companies, it’s a pinnacle. I don't know where this idea that somebody is going to open the door, welcome you in, and usher you to the table comes from.

So how can women get there?

With anything that coveted, you have to find a way to get it. If the door is not opening, you might say to your personal board or coalition of the willing, «Does anybody have any ideas?»

How do you feel about quotas in the financial services industry?

I think that there are some places where something like a quota would be good, but I worry about quotas causing a perception that individuals are in roles for which they may not be qualified. 

«Finance is lucrative, but you need passion, curiousity, and to speak your mind too»

I would rather see people look to fill roles by evaluating people on competencies in addition to past experience.

What are you looking for in hiring?

We look for work ethic, intellectual horsepower, and intellectual curiosity. A lot of people do this job in finance because it's lucrative. I'm fine with that, but to do it properly, to really go the extra layer in diligence, it helps if you have a passion for the work, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to speak your mind.

Susan Kasser is the co-head of private credit for Neuberger Berman, a U.S.-based asset manager known for hedge funds and private equity. The 45-year-old American began her career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in 1998 before moving to Carlyle, where she was a founding member of the U.S. firm's corporate mezzanine business. She graduated from Brandeis with a Master's degree in economics and finance and undergraduate degrees in philosophy and economics.