🌍 Staying Global in a Deglobalizing World
Reflections from the Burgundy Forum

Last week, I attended Burgundy’s annual forum in Toronto—a quiet but powerful gathering of serious long-term investors.

The theme this year? Staying global in a deglobalizing world. Timely. Necessary.

Two keynotes stood out—one from Anne Mette de Place Filippini, the other from Kenneth Broekaert. Their message? Conviction matters more than ever.

Anne reminded us that diversification isn’t about complexity or blindly owning the market—it’s about owning what compounds. “Why not invest in more of the winners and less of the losers?” she joked. Simple. But not easy.

Kenneth made a compelling case for Europe—not as a relic, but as a resilient, underappreciated opportunity. Some of the best businesses in the world (healthcare, consumer goods, industrials) are there—often trading at lower valuations, with stronger dividends, and less noise.

💡 My takeaway:
In uncertain times, the smartest strategy is the simplest one—good businesses, at good prices, held for the long haul.

Would love to hear your take—where do you see the next global opportunities?

#investing #privateequity #valuecreation #Europe #longterminvesting #BurgundyForum #finance #strategy #globalmarkets

Peggy Van de Plassche is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and technology. She specializes in guiding boards and C-suite executives through transformational change, leveraging technology and capital allocation to drive growth and innovation. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, Peggy also brings unique expertise in navigating complex issues and fostering public-private partnerships—key elements in shaping the Future of Business. Her skill set includes strategic leadership, capital allocation, transaction advisory, technology integration, and governance. Notable clients include BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. For more information, visit peggyvandeplassche.com.

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

What a roof leak taught me about fiduciary duty, asymmetric relationships, and why micro-communities matter more than ever

Would you trust your roofer like you trust your lawyer?

During two days of torrential rain in Toronto, water started dripping from our bedroom ceiling. What followed was a comedy of errors—no ladder, no diagnosis, and no accountability.

But what struck me most wasn’t the leak. It was the systemic blind spot we all live with: in most commercial relationships, acting in your best interest is optional.

We talk a lot about fiduciary duty in finance and law. But what about construction? Mechanics? Shouldn’t any relationship based on asymmetric information and expertise require a higher standard of care?

This is why micro-trust—friends, niche communities, micro-influencers—is becoming more powerful than macro-influence. Because in a world where everything is monetizable, trust is the real currency.

Here’s what I learned, what pissed me off, and what made me reflect.

#trust #fiduciaryduty #microinfluencers #communities #asymmetricinformation #valueoftrust #digitaltrends #rooffails #integritymatters

Peggy Van de Plassche is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and technology. She specializes in guiding boards and C-suite executives through transformational change, leveraging technology and capital allocation to drive growth and innovation. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, Peggy also brings unique expertise in navigating complex issues and fostering public-private partnerships—key elements in shaping the Future of Business. Her skill set includes strategic leadership, capital allocation, transaction advisory, technology integration, and governance. Notable clients include BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. For more information, visit peggyvandeplassche.com.

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

🏒What the Maple Leafs’ Playoff Defeat Can Tell Us About the Corporate World

I don’t follow sports. But living in Toronto, even I couldn’t escape the Maple Leafs playoff drama.
The part that stuck with me wasn’t the final score (1–6, ouch), but the conversations around it—especially the double standard we apply to failure.
A mid-tier hockey player underperforms in a big game? Might not make the cut next season.
But a top-league player? They’ll be back. Too much money, too much reputation invested.

Sound familiar?
In corporate life, we often see the same thing:
CEOs tank strategies and stay for years.
Execs a few levels down? Miss a target once—and they’re out.

Why do we extend more grace to people higher up the ladder?
I shared some thoughts on this in my latest newsletter—what the Leafs can teach us about power, failure, and why your intern might’ve gone through more interviews than your CEO.

Peggy Van de Plassche is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and technology. She specializes in guiding boards and C-suite executives through transformational change, leveraging technology and capital allocation to drive growth and innovation. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, Peggy also brings unique expertise in navigating complex issues and fostering public-private partnerships—key elements in shaping the Future of Business. Her skill set includes strategic leadership, capital allocation, transaction advisory, technology integration, and governance. Notable clients include BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. For more information, visit peggyvandeplassche.com.

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