Susan Luo


Susan Luo was born and raised in Hangzhou, China, a city celebrated for its breathtaking scenery. After completing her undergraduate studies in China, she moved to the United States to pursue an MBA at the University of Maryland. Upon completing graduate school, Susan stayed in the Washington, D.C. area to start her professional journey.  

Susan’s career has been a winding path marked by lateral moves and fluctuations but nonetheless ultimately led to upward progress despite the challenges. Her first job was as a financial analyst at a major bank where she focused on credit card debt securitization. Susan then transitioned to a private equity firm, serving as the operations manager for collateralized loan obligations. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, she moved to a rating agency to manage cash flow modeling for a range of securitizations globally, which helped serve investors.

Susan joined Freddie Mac in 2010 as a compliance manager. In this position, she gained valuable experience in the second line of defense. In 2019, she joined the Multifamily Operations team as the director of the Office of the Trustee. In this role, Susan supports the company’s various mortgage securitization programs, many of which are dedicated to affordable housing. This work creates a vital link between Freddie Mac seller/servicers and investors for multifamily loans.

Susan has been with Freddie Mac for 14 years and worked with many people across the business. Below she shares what makes working at Freddie Mac so special and why she’s continued to work here for so much of her career. 

What do you like most about working at Freddie Mac?

A: The people. They are such a large part of why I stay and what makes my experience so rewarding. There are many incredibly talented people at Freddie Mac who are always willing to share their knowledge. My colleagues readily explain their complex models, strategies and processes, which encourages a collaborative environment where we can all learn and grow together. 

What does diversity mean to you? How do you see its value in the workplace?

A: Diversity holds great significance to me. As a woman and racial-minority, I have faced various forms of doubt and unequal treatment throughout my career prior to joining Freddie Mac. This makes me especially appreciative of Freddie Mac’s inclusive culture. In my experience here, everyone’s contributions are valued, regardless of their race, gender, background, parental status or any other differences. I actively promote diversity and inclusion by creating opportunities for diverse opinions to be heard. By encouraging open dialogue and considering multiple perspectives, I help ensure that both the firm and I can make well-informed decisions while avoiding bias. This approach fosters a sense of unity within teams, allowing us to move forward collaboratively and effectively.

Advice to others on bringing your “full self” to work

A: Bringing your “full self” to work is vital for authenticity. Each of us has unique life experiences, strengths and challenges, and sharing these when appropriate enriches our workplace and contributes to a more inclusive and dynamic environment. For instance, if something is happening in your personal life that impacts your job, it’s important to share this with your manager to find a solution together, rather than hiding it away. Embrace your background, foster open dialogue and encourage others to do the same.

Looking back, what's one piece of advice you'd give your younger self

A: I would tell my younger self to be confident, you have strength within you. Remember that you can learn anything through hard work and by asking questions.

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