Headwater Capital Consulting
Pieter van Gils
Principal
Diane Friedman
Consultant
(778)-866-4207
Pieter van Gils is principal of Headwater Capital Consulting. Prior to founding the consultancy, Pieter was Managing Director of Ecotrust Canada Capital, the investment arm of Ecotrust Canada, a community development organization. He managed the Natural Capital Fund, which invested $12 million in conservation-based enterprises active in BC’s coastal resource sectors. He also led a team of professionals who were engaged as business consultants by coastal resource enterprises.
Pieter came to Ecotrust after working as Investment Manager at Vancity Capital Corporation. He helped write VCC’s business plan and provided subordinated debt to businesses and non-profit
organizations in the Lower Mainland. Vancity Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vancity Credit Union, where Pieter spent five years as manager of Community Economic Development. He developed two micro-lending programs targeted at Canada’s poorest neighbourhood, the Downtown Eastside.
Before coming to Canada, Pieter worked in London, UK with KPMG’s consulting division. He provided advice to corporate clients regarding transactions and restructuring, as well as financial management services.
Pieter holds a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Hull, UK.
Diane works with First Nations, private companies and not-for-profits, advising on Corporate Finance matters including business and succession planning, acquisitions and divestitures, and financing to support growth, acquisitions, management buyouts, and turnarounds.
As Senior Vice President in the Corporate Finance practice at Wolrige Mahon LLP she advised and worked with business owners on M&A transactions, financing and financial management, as these entrepreneurs acquired, grew, and sold
(604)-440-9677
their businesses. Her clients were often in the midst of significant change as they grew their businesses and prepared for succession. In addition to her corporate finance activities she played a leadership role in Wolrige Mahon’s marketing and business development activities.
For nearly 15 years she worked in commercial banking (TD Commercial Banking), subordinated debt and mezzanine financing (Roynat Capital and Vancity Capital). In this capacity she worked with private company owners, analyzing their businesses, their strategic plans, and the market and economy in which they operated. She has a broad and strategic perspective on business operations, real estate, and Canadian financial institutions. She is thought of as an energetic and outgoing strategic thinker who brings several skills to the table including strong financial acumen, governance, and business management.