Early Life
Bruce Karsh was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1955. He demonstrated academic excellence from a young age, graduating summa cum laude from Duke University in 1977 with a degree in economics. He continued his education at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served as notes editor of the Virginia Law Review, earning his J.D. in 1980.
Rise to Success
After law school, Karsh clerked for Judge Anthony M. Kennedy. His career then took a turn into finance when he joined SunAmerica. In 1987, Karsh was hired by Howard Marks to manage distressed debt at TCW Group. In 1995, Karsh co-founded Oaktree Capital Management with Howard Marks and others, specializing in alternative investments. Karsh served as co-chairman and Chief Investment Officer, contributing to the firm's success in managing over $160 billion in assets. Oaktree's strategies include credit, equity, and real estate investments.
Key Business Strategies
Karsh's success at Oaktree Capital has been marked by a value-oriented approach. The firm focuses on opportunistic investments, particularly in distressed debt and corporate debt. He emphasized a risk-controlled approach, allowing Oaktree to thrive through various market cycles. His skills in identifying undervalued assets were critical to the firm's high returns.
Philanthropy
Karsh and his wife, Martha, established the Karsh Family Foundation in 1998, through which they have donated over $450 million to various causes, including education, community health, and democracy. Their significant contributions include major scholarship programs at Duke University and the University of Virginia School of Law, where the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy was established. They have also supported Howard University, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and more.
