Peggy Van de Plassche

I’m pressing the reset button: 4 weeks, 2 cities, ~many coffees.
Dubai Sep 10–20 → Abu Dhabi Sep 22–Oct 3.

Why? Because sometimes it’s riskier to stay put than to move. The UAE’s dynamism is a pull; today’s noise is a push. I’m here to learn fast, meet great people, and map real opportunities in PE/SWF/value creation.

What’s inside the newsletter (playbook included):
• Join communities early. FrenchFounders, CFA (Emirates), 100 Women in Finance, biz councils = instant lift.
• Be in the room. WhatsApp on landing → coffee same week. Momentum follows motion.
• Pack a one-pager. Who you are, what you’re exploring, how to help.
• Anchor with events. Build the week around 1–2 big ones; book meetings off the back of them.
• Follow up same day. Be memorable and useful.
• Mindset: one small bite daily > perfect plan someday.

Ask: If you’re in Dubai/Abu Dhabi, let’s grab a coffee. Intros to PE/SWF folks (Mubadala/ADIA/ADQ and co.) are hugely appreciated.

👉 Listen to the full field guide
 What’s your best “new market in 30 days” move?

#UAE #Dubai #AbuDhabi #PrivateEquity #SovereignWealth #ValueCreation #Networking #Career #Leadership #MENA

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

AI-proofing your career boils down to 2 moves:
1) Amplify everything AI can’t do (or doesn’t do well).
2) Double-down on your secret sauce.

Why now? The IMF estimates ~40% of global jobs are exposed to AI—~60% in advanced economies. If half of what you do is automatable, make the other half unmistakable.

🧭 Critical thinking is the operating system.
Ask sharper questions, design the analysis, own the judgment. No report should come from an LLM that you didn’t architect and can’t defend.

🗣️ Talk > Type.
Verbal clarity beats prompts: run tighter meetings, read the room, land the point.

🧠 EQ & trust.
Decisions people believe in > documents they skim.

🛠️ Use Gen + Agentic AI for the rest.
Automate the busywork; keep the calls that require context, nuance, and taste.

🥡 Your secret sauce (be a category of one).
Specific domain edge + geo/language + unusual experiences = differentiation that’s hard to copy.

Question: What will you hand to AI this quarter—and what will you make unmistakably human?

 #Career #Leadership #GenerativeAI #AgenticAI #CriticalThinking #Communication #Networking #ValueCreation

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

Ever had a perfectly normal coffee turn into a TED Talk on how cannibals run the world? Same. ☕🌀

My new newsletter is a field guide to the conspiracy slide—how a chat that starts with “sugar is bad” ends with “the lizard people are late to the meeting.”

Inside the piece:

• The Black-Hole Effect: How five “wellness” videos become ten anti-vax rants and—boom—global cabal. (Scroll = rocket fuel.)
• Spot the Tells:
  “You’re being manipulated.” ✅
  “I have underground sources.” (Hi, Fred2009$.) ✅
  “Mainstream media? Sad.” ✅
  When you hear these, you’re entering 🧟‍♀️ territory.
• My Playbook (tested in the wild):
  1. Find one sane island (“Yep, sugar is bad”).
  2. Redirect like your life depends on it (cat UTI > cannibals).
  3. If it loops back, graceful fade—no debate club, no heroics.

Why this matters: Beyond awkward brunches, this is about critical thinking, relationships, and democracy. If the algorithm can hijack smart people, none of us are untouchable.

If you’ve navigated one of these conversations, I want your best moves: What actually works without blowing up the friendship?

👉 Read the full piece: [link]
 #Leadership #Communication #CriticalThinking #MediaLiteracy #DigitalWellbeing #Relationships

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

If you know me well, you know my tolerance for nonsense is… minimal.
 If you don’t know me well, you probably think I’m endlessly calm and kind.
 Both are true.

The problem? We’re living in a world where public headphone-free playlists, table manners (or lack thereof), and casual disrespect have become the new normal.

As a Frenchwoman in North America, I was raised with an intricate set of social do’s and don’ts — the kind that makes you remove your coat at precisely the right moment or risk eternal plouc status. But here and now, the rules are… let’s say… more “flexible.”

In my latest piece, I explore:

• Why “I don’t take sh*t from anyone” is the greatest lie of all time
• When swallowing it is the best move for your own sanity
• Why politeness feels like a superpower in a disrespectful world
• And yes… my neighbor’s fence.

Whether you’re zen, perpetually irritated, or somewhere in between, I promise you’ll relate.

Do you take sh*t — and admit it? Or pretend you don’t? Let’s be honest in the comments.

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

👨‍🔧 “Let Me Talk to Your Husband.”
Because apparently, you need a Y chromosome to understand drywall.

If I had a dollar for every contractor who said that to me, I’d be sipping rosé in a manicured garden in Monaco—not fending off raccoons on my Toronto patio.

But as ridiculous as it sounds, there’s more to this story than just misogyny. It’s also about sales psychology, social conditioning, and the bizarre gender dynamics of home improvement.

In this week’s newsletter, I unpack:
 💸 Why men are prime targets for upsells (even economists aren’t safe)
 🧠 How women became better at asking questions—and dodging BS
 🛠️ What really drives that “talk to your husband” reflex
 👩‍⚖️ And why being called a Karen doesn’t bother me one bit

It’s part personal rant, part social commentary, and 100% real.

👉 Read it here: [insert link]
 #genderroles #leadership #bias #humour #newsletter #construction #lifelessons

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

🚀 From VC to CEO — and Why Founders Are Rethinking Dilution

What happens when a venture capitalist jumps into the trenches to run one of her portfolio companies?

In this week’s podcast & newsletter, I sat down with the brilliant Melissa Widner—CEO of Lighter Capital and former head of NAB Ventures—to talk about:
 💡 Why she left VC to become an operator again
 ⚡️ The rise of revenue-based financing (and how it actually works)
 💰 The private credit boom—and what LPs are really looking for right now
 🧠 What she wishes she knew as a first-time CEO
 🛠️ And why not every startup needs to chase the unicorn path

Whether you're a founder, investor, or just curious about how smarter capital is reshaping the game, this one's packed with insight.

👉 Listen here
 #startups #venturecapital #privatecredit #founders #valuecreation #leadership #capitalraising #saas

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

Between calendar invites for brunch, soft-circled plans, 20-text back-and-forths, and the ever-popular last-minute “doctor’s appointment” excuse… I’m starting to think we need a project manager just to have lunch.

We used to meet at the movies in 1999 with no phones, no iCals, no text confirmations—and somehow, we made it. Today? Getting a friend to show up IRL feels like coordinating a G7 summit.

In my latest newsletter, I take a (very real, very funny) look at:
 ☕️ The brunchers who need invites
 📬 The ghost-then-scream catch-uppers
 🗓️ The overbooked, undercommitted crew
 🚫 And why I now spontaneously text: “Free in the next hour?”

👉 If your social life feels like a series of false starts and flaky friends, this one’s for you.

 And no need to send me a calendar invite to discuss—just show up 😉

#ModernLife #SocialFatigue #frriendsandneighbors #friendship

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

🚀 From Startup to Global HR Tech — and a Family Move to Dubai
What does it take to build a 500-person company, raise three kids, and still prioritize culture over growth-at-all-costs?

This week on the podcast, I sat down with Stéphanie Reniers, co-founder and CEO of Gentis, to talk about:

💡 The human problem in recruitment — and how Gentis set out to fix it
 🤖 Why they built their own HR tech (Wiggli) to give recruiters time back
🧠 How a coaching certification helped her become a better CEO
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What it’s really like to build a company with your spouse
✈️ And why their family moved from Belgium to Dubai for a better life — not lower taxes

One quote that stuck with me:

🔥 Full of nuggets on scaling with purpose, leadership evolution, and building a people-first company in a tech-driven world.

📩 Read the full newsletter here: [Insert Link]
 🎧 Or tune in to the podcast for the full conversation.

#leadership #startuplife #hrtech #dubai #podcast #recruitment #valuecreation #peoplefirst

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

🚀 Success, Strategy & Staying Human

A friend reached out recently—unhappy in her role and ready to make a move. We spoke about the job market (not great), office politics (they pass), and the uncomfortable truths of ageism and sexism (still real). She left the call with a new perspective.

That conversation made me reflect on my own path—and how much of it I’ve shaped by design.

Yes, I’ve made mistakes. But I’ve also been strategic:
 📍 Choosing high-margin industries
 🌎 Moving across geographies for opportunity
 🎓 Investing in globally recognized credentials
 🔁 Designing optionality into my career
 🧭 And—most importantly—not confusing intention with opportunism

Too often, I see "strategy" turn into mercenary behavior. Networking not for growth but for gain. Picking charity boards like they’re LinkedIn filters. That’s not strategy—that’s extraction.

You can design a meaningful, prosperous, and ethical life. I’ve done it. So did my mom—at 67.

👇 Full story in this week’s newsletter. I hope it gives you something to think about.

#careerdevelopment #strategy #success #careertransition #purpose #lifedesign #uae #canada #leadership #valuecreation

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare

What does it really take to build and scale deep tech across borders?
(Hint: It's not just capital or code.)

Last week’s event The Humans Behind the Next Wave—co-hosted by La French Tech Toronto, AAGEF Ontario, and CDL Paris—was packed with lived experience and straight talk. No hype, just hard truths.

Here are a few takeaways that stuck with me:

🔹 Startups are pain. Especially in AI and deep tech. 10+ year journeys with no shortcuts.
🔹 AI is not a strategy. The tech is everywhere—your differentiation needs to be clearer.
🔹 The most exciting breakthroughs are at the intersection of AI, hardware, and science.
🔹 Not all networks are worth it. Choose accelerators and ecosystems intentionally.
🔹 Global ambition requires global focus. Don’t try to be "generally good." Be exceptional at a few key things.
🔹 Big rounds ≠ smart money. Especially when operating costs kill your runway.

So many insights came from a conversation that felt like a strategy session for the future.

Thank you to the organizers, speakers, and attendees who made the evening so impactful.

📩 I wrote a deeper reflection in this week’s newsletter

 Would love to hear your thoughts—what's resonating in your world right now?

#DeepTech #AI #Startups #Innovation #ValueCreation #TechAcrossBorders #FrenchTech #CDL #Strategy #Founders

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

#privateequity #privatemarkets #alternativeinvestments #investing #investments #invest #venturecapital #investor #entrepreneur #digitaltransformation #ai #exit #tech #technology #finance #financialservices #healthcare