🌍Uncomfortable optimism may be the most honest macro call for 2026.

Last week I attended the 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook organized by 100 Women In Finance at Scotiabank—and walked away with one conviction: The conversation was anchored by Rebekah Young, Laura Lau and Nan Chen, CFA, FRM  Global growth is holding (~3.2% in 2025), markets are still up, AI momentum is real—and yet:Job and wage cooling is unmistakableThe disconnect between markets and the real economy is wideningAI is shifting from hype to maintenance capitalCanada sits at a crossroads: invest—or hollow out The mood? Uncomfortably optimistic.No recession, but no margin for complacency. In this week’s newsletter, I break down:Why uncertainty is no longer a phase, but the backdropWhy AI’s biggest winners may not be who you thinkWhy Canada’s next 24 months are criticalPeggy 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