Karl Balaz

Karl Balaz is the Portfolio Manager and Head of North American Special Situations at Polar Asset Management Partners Inc., based in New York, NY. In this role, he is responsible for leading the firm's investments in complex and event-driven opportunities across North America, focusing on special situations strategies which may include distressed debt, restructuring, and other idiosyncratic events within public and private markets.

Prior to joining Polar, Karl served as a Junior Portfolio Manager at Highbridge Capital Management, where he developed expertise in investment strategies and a wide range of financial instruments, as well as gaining experience as a trader at Citi. His career has equipped him with a strong foundation in credit, equities, and event-driven investing, with direct responsibility for sourcing, structuring, and managing special situations transactions.

Karl holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, providing him with robust analytical and quantitative capabilities. His work stands out in the investment industry for his leadership in alternative asset management and his focus on complex, high-value North American special situations within the credit and equity sectors.