Dakin Campbell

Dakin Campbell: Investigative Chronicler of Power Structures

Dakin Campbell has established himself as one of business journalism's most formidable investigative voices through methodical examinations of systemic power imbalances. His 17-year career trajectory reveals a reporter uniquely positioned to dissect complex financial ecosystems and their human consequences.

Career Evolution: From Local Beats to Institutional Exposés

• The Freeman’s Journal (2005-2007): Cut teeth covering upstate New York community issues, developing foundational skills in source cultivation and public accountability reporting
• The Bond Buyer (2007-2008): Specialized in municipal finance, analyzing how local governments fund infrastructure through debt instruments
• Bloomberg News (2008-2018): Transitioned to Wall Street coverage, breaking stories on Goldman Sachs' trading desk challenges and early cryptocurrency market manipulation
• Business Insider (2018-present): Elevated to chief finance correspondent, producing award-winning investigations into corporate malfeasance and regulatory failures

Defining Investigations

• The Prison Healthcare Bankruptcy Saga Campbell's 11-month investigation into Corizon Health exposed how the private prison healthcare provider used Chapter 11 protections to evade accountability for inmate deaths. Through forensic analysis of bankruptcy court filings and interviews with 43 plaintiffs' attorneys, he revealed systemic patterns of delayed care and legal maneuverings that left families without recourse. This work prompted congressional inquiries and judicial reforms, earning the 2023 Barlett & Steele Silver Award.
• Wall Street's Unionization Wave His 2024 deep dive into employee organizing efforts at major US banks combined leaked internal memos with interviews from 17 anonymous financial analysts. The piece contextualized labor movements within broader trends of post-pandemic workplace expectations, revealing how junior staffers are leveraging tight job markets to demand better working conditions.
• Regulatory Capture in Real Time Campbell's 2025 exposé on a Commerce Secretary's stock touting blended financial analysis with ethics expertise, tracking how public officials' market commentary can distort retail investor behavior. By cross-referencing Fox News appearances with options market data, he demonstrated measurable impacts on trading volumes.

Strategic Pitch Guidance

Focus on Institutional Power Dynamics

Campbell prioritizes stories exposing how regulatory frameworks enable corporate misconduct. Successful pitches might examine revolving door practices between federal agencies and Wall Street firms, supported by documentation of specific policy changes benefiting former employers. His Tesla stock analysis [1] demonstrates particular interest in conflicts between public service and personal financial interests.

Quantify Human Impact

While adept at financial modeling, Campbell grounds investigations in measurable societal consequences. A compelling pitch about healthcare billing practices should include actuarial data on bankruptcies filed due to medical debt alongside patient narratives. His Corizon Health series [1] set the standard for blending quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Leverage Unconventional Data Sources

Campbell frequently incorporates non-traditional datasets like PACER court records or OSHA complaints. Pitches offering access to novel documentation streams (e.g., archived internal training videos, encrypted whistleblower submissions) align with his investigative methodology as seen in the unionization analysis [2].

Awards and Industry Recognition

"Campbell's work exemplifies the highest standards of investigative business journalism, marrying complex financial analysis with relentless pursuit of justice." - Barlett & Steele Judging Committee

Barlett & Steele Silver Award (2023): Recognized for exposing systemic abuse in prison healthcare contracting, this investigation prompted operational reforms at 14 state correctional departments. The judging panel particularly noted Campbell's innovative use of bankruptcy docket analysis to track asset shielding strategies.

Gerald Loeb Award Finalist (2021): His series on pandemic-era stock trading by Federal Reserve officials brought renewed scrutiny to financial conflict-of-interest policies, directly influencing new SEC disclosure requirements for government economists.