Star Mountain Capital, a specialized investment manager focused exclusively on the large and underserved U.S. lower middle-market, hired Susan Kilsby as a strategic personal investor and healthcare and consumer industry advisor.

Leveraging her operational and M&A experience in the healthcare and consumer industries, Kilsby will provide strategic and industry advice to Star Mountain and its portfolio investments in these sectors. Kilsby currently serves as chairman of Shire, a global biopharmaceuticals firm with a market capitalization of more than $40 billion.

Kilsby had a long career at Credit Suisse where she previously worked with Star Mountain’s chairman, Brian Finn (former co-president of Credit Suisse First Boston) and served, among other roles, as head of the Global Consumer Products Group and chairman of M&A for Emerging Markets. From 2010 to 2013, she was chairman of the international region of C200, an organization composed of leading women in business globally, and was a founding member of the Competitor Diversity Forum in London.

“Susan’s experience and relationships will add meaningful industry insights to benefit our investors and the companies we invest in,” said Brett Hickey, founder and CEO of Star Mountain. “Susan is another great example of our ability to bring large market expertise and resources to the smaller businesses we invest in as a distinctive competitive advantage.”

“I look forward to sharing my experience with large businesses to help Star Mountain in its mission of bringing best practices to the smaller businesses it invests in,” Kilsby said. “Star Mountain has built a compelling platform for investors to access this labor-intensive end of the market while also creating meaningful value for society through job creation.”