Bruce Karsh

Early life and education

Bruce A. Karsh was born in 1955 to a Jewish family, the son of David H. Karsh, and Roberta “Bobby” Karsh. In 1974, he graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis. In 1977, Karsh earned an A.B. degree in economics from Duke University where he graduated summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1980 he earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he received the academic award Order of the Coif. While at the University of Virginia he served as notes editor for the Virginia Law Review.

Early years (1980-1995)

Following law school Karsh served as an appellate clerk to current Supreme Court of the United States justice Anthony M. Kennedy. He went on to work as an attorney with the law firm O'Melveny & Myers, then served as an assistant to billionaire Eli Broad, who was then the chairman of Sun Life Insurance Company and SunAmerica.

In 1987, Broad's insurance company became a client of TCW Group. Shortly thereafter, Karsh was hired by Howard Marks to manage distressed debt at TCW. TCW's first distressed debt fund was started in 1988. Karsh served as Managing Director of TCW and managed the Special Credits Funds there.

Oaktree (1995-present)

In April 1995, Karsh, Howard Marks, and three other employees at TCW left their firm to found Oaktree Capital Management. Karsh became a portfolio manager for Oaktree's Distressed Opportunities and Value Opportunities strategies and Chief Investment Officer for the firm.

In 2009 he became director of Charter Communications. Karsh is currently on the investment committee of the Broad Foundation and an Executive Board Member of the Golden State Warriors.

According to Ken Moelis, the CEO of Moelis & Co., Howard Marks is the public face of Oaktree while Karsh is the "'quiet secret' behind the scenes." Moelis has said that “If you say the name Bruce, people know you’re talking about Bruce Springsteen. There’s one Bruce in music and one Bruce in distressed. He’s just a solid guy who does his homework and thinks through timing.”

Honors

Karsh (along with Howard Marks) received the Money Manager of the Year award at Institutional Investor’s US Investment Management Awards in 2015. Along with his wife, Karsh received KIPP’s Giving Tree Award in 2015.

Charitable efforts

In 1998 Karsh and his wife started the charitable organization the Karsh Family Foundation, which has donated or committed over $200 million for education and scholarships across all levels. Among their recipients have been Teach for America and KIPP. Karsh is on the board of The Painted Turtle, a non-profit organization that operates a camp for children with life-threatening diseases in Los Angeles. The Foundation also helped fund a renovation project to create the Karsh Student Services Center at the University of Virginia Law School.

The Karshes have given over $100 million to Duke University, almost all of which went to undergraduate financial aid. This included $12 million in 2005, $20 million in 2008, and $50 million in 2011 ($30 million for U.S. students and $20 million for international students).

Karsh joined the Board of Directors for Duke University’s investment management company (DUMAC) in 2002, and in July 2005 was appointed Chairman. He served on the Duke University Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2015 and is now Trustee Emeritus.

Karsh and his family funded The Karsh Family Social Service Center at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, where they are members. The Karsh Center includes a food pantry and free or low-cost dental and eye care, legal aid, and mental health services for low-income clients.

Personal life

Karsh is married to Martha Karsh, an attorney and co-founder of Clark & Karsh, an architecture firm. They live in Beverly Hills, California and have three children.