Peggy Van de Plassche

🧠 Big Tech was built by government—and branded as rebellion.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a fantastic event at the Munk School’s Innovation Policy Lab: “U.S. Politics and Big Tech Power: Past, Present, and Future.”

The conversation (led by Margaret O’Mara and Tom Kemeny) unpacked the long, complicated marriage between Silicon Valley and Washington—a relationship built on mutual benefit, selective memory, and increasing tension.

We love the myth of the lone genius in a garage. But HP, Fairchild, even the internet itself? All born from government contracts, procurement pipelines, and public investment. Fast forward to today, and Big Tech still relies on the state—from bailouts to lobbying to regulatory arbitrage.

And yet, the Valley continues to posture as anti-government and post-political. It's a convenient narrative—until democracy becomes inconvenient.

The question isn’t whether tech should engage in politics. It’s:
 What kind of political power is acceptable when it’s unelected, unregulated, and operating at planetary scale?

As we enter a new era of AI, private space, and digital governance, we need to reassert a fundamental truth:

👉 Democracy isn’t a bug in the system. It’s the operating system.

Would love to hear your take:
 Where do you see the relationship between Big Tech and government heading next?

#TechPolicy #Democracy #AI #Innovation #BigTech #PublicPolicy #MunkSchool #DigitalPower

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

🔥 Parenting is Hard. Reacting Doesn’t Have to Be.

Ever feel like no matter how much you try, you still snap at your kids? You’re not alone.

Balancing parenting, career, and daily stress is exhausting, and before you know it—you’ve reacted in a way you regret. But what if there was a way to break the cycle?

Join me and @Jenn Abbatiello for a FREE live workshop on April 1st @ 12:30 PM EST, where we’ll dive into how microdosing can help parents stay calm, present, and patient—even in the most stressful moments.

💡 What we’ll cover:

 ✅ How microdosing helps with stress and emotional regulation

 ✅ The science behind why it works for parents

 ✅ Practical ways to integrate microdosing into your daily life

 ✅ A candid conversation on overcoming parenting stress

🔗 Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/gpNeMbSv

Parenting is tough—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Let’s break the reactivity cycle together.

#Parenting #EmotionalRegulation #Microdosing #StressManagement #MindfulParenting

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

Can Cooperation Outperform Competition? 🤝

We live in a world of increasing division—politically, socially, and economically. But what if there was another way?

I recently attended a thought-provoking talk by Bernard Harcourt at the University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, exploring an alternative model of governance: cooperatism—a system where collaboration, not competition, drives decision-making.

💡 Key takeaways that stuck with me:

 🔹 Cooperatism challenges our default economic model, advocating for democratic self-governance in businesses, communities, and even policy-making.

 🔹 It’s not a utopia—some of the most successful financial institutions (think Desjardins, Crédit Mutuel, and Mutual Farm) are structured as co-ops.

 🔹 Moving from a punitive paradigm (low investment in prevention, high spending on crisis response) to a cooperative one could redefine healthcare, education, and justice.

 🔹 Is cooperation always possible? I raised this question during the event—comparing Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance to the Black Panthers’ community-driven self-defense. Can cooperation thrive in an inherently conflict-driven world?

This discussion left me with additional thoughts:

 ❓ Can a cooperative model scale without being exploited?

 ❓ How do we fund parallel systems while transitioning from competition to collaboration?

 ❓ Would cooperatism limit individual mobility—trapping people in a system they helped build?

Cooperatism is already at play in parts of our economy—but could it be the future of governance and business?

📩 Read my latest newsletter where I unpack these ideas, my questions to Bernard, and my own reflections on how cooperatism could work (or fail). 

What do you think—is competition essential, or could cooperation build a stronger, fairer society? 👇 Let’s discuss!

#Cooperatism #PublicPolicy #EconomicTheory #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Governance #Innovation

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

🦟 Who’s Sucking the Life Out of You?

You work hard. You build relationships. You invest time and energy into people and projects. But have you ever stepped back and asked yourself:

Who’s actually adding value to my life… and who’s just draining me dry?

In my latest newsletter, I dive deep into the parasites and vampires lurking in our professional and personal lives—the people who waste our time, sap our energy, and leave us feeling depleted. From Ms. & Mr. Entitled to Miss & Mr. Disrespectful (and the ever-dangerous Vampire), I break down:

✅ The telltale signs that someone is draining you
✅ How to set boundaries (without guilt)
✅ Why your triggers are actually gifts (if you know how to use them)
✅ When to cut ties, greywall, or just hit DELETE

💡 Key takeaway: Your time and energy are your most valuable assets. Protect them like your financial investments.

Curious? Read the full breakdown here 👇

#Leadership #Boundaries #EnergyManagement #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalSuccess

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

Every year, Canadian pension funds deploy billions into public equity, private equity, and debt markets. But instead of channeling these assets through Canadian money managers, a substantial portion goes to foreign firms.

👉 Meanwhile, Canadian fund managers are pitching their expertise abroad—because our own institutions aren’t always giving them a fair shot.

Every dollar sent to a foreign money manager is a dollar not supporting Canadian economic growth.

🚨 What’s the real cost?
❌ Fewer high-paying jobs – Asset management is a massive employer, and growing it at home could mean thousands of new finance & tech roles.
❌ Less tax revenue – Canadian firms pay taxes here. Foreign firms? Not so much.
❌ Weakened financial sector – A thriving domestic asset management industry strengthens our economy and keeps Canada competitive.

🍁 Canada First Doesn’t Mean Canada Only—But It Should Mean Canada More.

This isn’t about shutting out global firms—it’s about giving Canadian money managers a fair shot at managing Canadian capital.

With an election on the horizon, it’s time to ask: Why aren’t we investing in our own talent?

💬 Drop your thoughts below. Let’s talk. 🚀 #Canada #PensionFunds #InvestLocal #Finance #Economy

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

My scale says I’m 12 years old. Science—and my 47-year-old body—might disagree. 😂

But what if aging wasn’t inevitable? What if we could slow it down—or even reverse it?

That’s exactly what I explored with Marco Quarta, longevity scientist & co-founder of Rubedo Life Science. His team is tackling one of aging’s biggest culprits: senescent cells (aka “zombie cells”)—which refuse to die and accelerate disease.

💡 What’s coming next?
🔬 Targeted longevity treatments—Eliminating zombie cells to reduce inflammation & extend healthspan
🧬 Aging biomarkers—Tests that predict diseases before symptoms appear
🏛️ Regulatory change—Aging isn’t yet classified as a disease, slowing innovation. That could soon shift.
🌍 Big picture—This isn’t just about looking younger. It’s about preventing our healthcare system from collapsing under an aging population.

The bottom line? Aging doesn’t have to mean decline. The science is moving fast—are we ready to embrace it?

👉 Dive into the science & listen to my convo with Marco here. [Insert link]

#Longevity #Biotech #FutureOfAging #Healthspan #Innovation #RegenerativeMedicine

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

Tariffs aren’t just taxes—they’re economic weapons. With new trade restrictions looming, businesses have two choices: absorb the cost or get creative.

💡 Smart companies don’t just pay up—they strategize.

Here’s how they do it:

🔹 Tariff Engineering – Tweaking product designs to fall into lower-taxed categories. (Converse cut tariffs from 48% to 7.5% just by adding a thin fabric layer under its insoles!)

🔹 Country of Origin Maneuvering – Shifting production or final assembly to tariff-friendly regions. (Hyundai assembles parts in South Korea instead of China to lower trade costs.)

🔹 First-Sale Pricing – Paying tariffs on the manufacturer’s price, not the retail markup. (A little-known loophole that many global brands use.)

🔹 Bonded Warehouses & Temporary Bonds – Deferring duties by storing goods tariff-free until sold or re-exported.

🔹 Strategic Inventory & Order Timing – Pre-ordering goods before tariffs hit and adjusting stock levels to minimize exposure.

Governments create barriers. Businesses find loopholes.

🚀 Want the full breakdown?

📩 I break it all down in my latest newsletter: [Insert Link]

#Tariffs #TradeStrategy #GlobalTrade #SupplyChain #BusinessGrowth #EconomicPolicy #ImportExport

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

🚨 Women’s Pain Is Being Ignored—And It’s Costing Lives

30% of women who are ultimately diagnosed with ovarian cancer were first referred to a mental health specialist and prescribed antidepressants—as if their pain were all in their head. Let that sink in.

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, yet there is STILL no reliable, widely available test for early detection. The result?
❌ 80% of cases are diagnosed too late (stage 3 or 4)
✅ Early detection (stage 1 or 2) raises survival rates from 28% to 90%

But here’s the game-changer: A simple blood test using liquid biopsy technology could revolutionize early ovarian cancer detection. This isn’t a distant dream—it’s happening NOW.

I recently had an incredible conversation with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, CEO of AOA Dx. She and her team are developing a liquid biopsy test for ovarian cancer, a potential breakthrough that could change the future of women’s health.

🔬 Why hasn’t this existed before?
➡️ Symptoms are vague and dismissed as IBS, perimenopause, or stress
➡️ Imaging isn’t reliable for detecting ovarian cancer
➡️ A biopsy requires surgical removal of the ovary or fallopian tube

💡 The biggest barrier? Not science—policy.
Even with cutting-edge diagnostics, reimbursement policies and insurance hurdles keep these life-saving innovations out of reach. It’s time to shift from a reactive healthcare model to one that prevents diseases before they become deadly.

💭 So, what needs to happen?
✔️ Women must advocate for themselves—don't settle for “It’s just stress.”
✔️ Doctors need better tools—and AOA Dx is leading the way.
✔️ Public policy must evolve—early detection saves lives AND reduces costs.

It’s time to start taking women’s health seriously. Let’s not wait another 30 years for action.

🔥 What are your thoughts on the state of women’s healthcare? Let’s discuss.

 #WomensHealth #OvarianCancer #HealthcareInnovation #EarlyDetection #CancerAwareness

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

💼 Business & Politics: The Game You NEED to Play

Politics isn’t just about governance—it’s marketing, influence, and strategy. And in today’s world, business leaders who ignore politics are playing a dangerous game.

I recently attended Intersection of Business and Politics: Insights for Leaders with Dr. Ken Chan, and the insights were eye-opening:

🚀 Lobbying is a business strategy, not a dirty word.
💰 $4 billion was spent on lobbying in the U.S. in 2023.
📜 Even governments hire lobbyists—because navigating policy is complex.
👥 Trade associations = strength in numbers. If you can’t lobby alone, join forces with an industry body.
🔄 The Trump Effect threw traditional lobbying playbooks into chaos. Unpredictability changed the game, and companies are still adapting.
🥂 Want the best political insider for your team? Head to the bar. Young former political staffers know the system inside out—and they’re your best bet for influence.
⚖️ Non-market strategy = leveraging relationships to shape policy. It’s not just about competing in the market—it’s about shaping the rules of the game.

If you’re in business and not thinking about how policies affect your industry, your competitors are.

Let’s talk—how is your business navigating government relations? Are you shaping the game, or reacting to it?

#BusinessStrategy #Lobbying #PublicPolicy #Leadership #TheGameBehindTheGame #NonMarketStrategy

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

Canada’s $2.5 Trillion Question: Why Aren’t We Investing in Ourselves?

For 15 years, I’ve been asking the same question:

👉 Why don’t Canada’s pension funds (except CDPQ) have a mandate to invest in our own economic strength?

And for 15 years, I’ve gotten the same answer:
❌ “It’s not in the mandate.”

To which my response has always been:
Well, why not change the mandate?

Meanwhile, our largest trading partner—the U.S.—is doubling down on economic nationalism while we keep funneling billions into foreign infrastructure, private equity, and real estate instead of backing Canadian industries, innovation, and independence.

📊 Some facts to consider:
💰 Canadian pension funds manage $2.5 trillion—more than our entire GDP.
🏗️ We build highways in Texas, but not in Ontario.
🏢 We fund private equity in Europe, but underinvest in our own manufacturing sector.
⚡ The U.S. is our biggest investor—but also our biggest competitor.

If CDPQ can prioritize Québec’s economy and still deliver strong returns, why can’t other pension funds do the same for Canada?

I recently applied for the Chief Investment Officer role at OPB because I believe we need to move the needle on this. Economic resilience isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

The real question is: Do we have the political will to act?

Let’s discuss. 🚀

#Canada #Economy #Investment #PublicPolicy #PensionFunds #EconomicResilience

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