Robert Campion started working at hedge fund and alternative-investment firm Canyon Capital Advisors before he left for college. But just because Los Angeles–based Canyon is the only investment firm where Campion has ever had a full-time job doesn’t mean his role hasn’t changed. Campion, 30, grew up in Wisconsin but finished high school in Santa Monica, California, and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a BA in political economy and founded his own fraternity. Campion moved to L.A. after his parents divorced; shortly after, he joined the Virginia Avenue Project, a Santa Monica nonprofit that uses performing arts and mentoring to aid at-risk students. He stayed involved even after his family circumstances improved and through the program met K. Robert (Bobby) Turner, the charismatic real estate investor, who at the time headed Canyon’s real estate business, an encounter that led to an internship with that group. Campion worked for Canyon during his breaks from college, becoming a staff member in 2006. He began in marketing for Canyon’s hedge funds and other mainly credit-focused alternative-investment strategies. Those funds make up the bulk of capital at the $24 billion firm, which was founded in 1990 by Joshua Friedman and Mitchell Julis. In addition to his role as senior vice president of business development at Canyon, Campion remains involved in the Virginia Avenue Project. He served on the board from 2008 to 2009 and founded a young professionals board for the organization.
