From 2007 until 2023, Kaj held increasingly senior positions at Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., most recently serving as Co-Head of North America for the Global Opportunities strategy, a role he held from 2020 through his departure.
In his role as Co-Head for North America, Mr. Vazales was part of a leadership team driving all aspects of a $20B+ AUM business, including investment strategy and portfolio management, talent recruiting and development, marketing/capital formation and back office. Prior to joining Oaktree in 2007, Mr. Vazales began his career in the Financial Restructuring Group at Houlihan Lokey.
Mr. Vazales has extensive experience investing in private and syndicated credit, private and public equities, leveraged finance, hybrid capital and real estate assets across a broad set of industries. Mr. Vazales has also successfully led corporate restructurings and turn-around strategies in numerous sectors. He has served on many public and private corporate boards (including audit and compensation committees thereof), as well as Ad Hoc and Official Creditors Committees.
Mr. Vazales holds a A.B. from Harvard College where he graduated with honors and served as captain of the golf team from 1999-2001.