Bruce Karsh — Oaktree Capital Management

Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer

THE LATEST: Last year, Oaktree Capital kicked off fundraising for Oaktree Opportunities Fund XI, the largest ever distressed-debt fund. Oaktree is seeking $15 billion to start the fund, which will buy up debt in struggling companies damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. In March, Oaktree closed Oaktree Real Estate Opportunities Fund VIII, with capital commitments totaling $4.7 billion, its largest real estate fund raise to date. Oaktree had $148 billion in assets under management at the end of 2020.
BACKGROUND: Global investment manager Oaktree was co-founded in 1995 by Karsh and Howard Marks. Karsh serves as portfolio manager for a number of the firm’s verticals, including distressed opportunities and multi-strategy credit. Prior to Oaktree, Karsh was a managing director of TCW Asset Management Co. He previously worked as assistant to the chairman of SunAmerica Inc. An attorney by training, Karsh’s career also included a stint with O’Melveny & Myers. With an estimated worth of $2 billion, Karsh was No. 37 on the Business Journal’s most recent list of Wealthiest Angelenos. He’s a member of the investment committee of the Broad Foundations and a trustee emeritus of Duke University.
YEARS ON THE LA500: 6
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