Peter is available for hire
Hire PeterPeter R. Classen
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Greater Sacramento, United States
Toptal member since August 26, 2026
Bio
With a unique combination of PE/VC, blue-chip management consulting, and C-suite operating experience, Peter has helped design and lead the most innovative initiatives imaginable (capital raises, transactions, business transformations, strategic expansions, revenue drives). His toolkit is broad and deep, combining best-of-the-best strategy, organization, and management competencies in one resource. By the numbers: Peter has raised $104 billion and has delivered 2.5x to 10x returns to investors.
Career Highlights
Sr. Partner | Investment & Executive Committee | Head of Portfolio Value Creation
3Q Investment Partners
Chief Operating Officer | Head of M&A Services | Head of Portfolio Management (Secondment)
Khashoggi Investment Holdings
Case Studies
Capital Raise for a Deep Tech Venture in Quantum Infrastructure
FundraisingFundraising StrategyInvestingPitch PreparationPitch DecksRoadshows
Carve-out of a Deeptech, AI-centric European Manufacturing Unit
AI Enablement & Pilot ProgramsAI ProductivityCarve-out AnalysisCarve-out PlanningMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)M&A Due Diligence (Commercial)+ 23 more
Carve-out Playbooks for a European Manufacturer's Pan-Asian Acquisitions
M&A (Buy-side)Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)M&A Due Diligence (Commercial)Carve-out AnalysisCarve-out PlanningBusiness Operations+ 3 more
AI Strategy for a Behavioral Heath Services Provider
AI Agent - Functional DesignAI StrategyAI GovernanceAI EthicsArtificial Intelligence (AI)Business Processes+ 9 more
PE Portfolio Improvement through Better Operating Value Creation
Business TransformationBusiness to Business (B2B)Energy ServicesPerformance ImprovementPerformancePerformance Analysis+ 30 more
Expertise
- Business Transformation
- Market Research
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Performance Improvement
- Portfolio Management
- Private Equity
- Software Development
- Value Creation
Work Experience
Sr. Partner | Investment & Executive Committee | Head of Portfolio Value Creation
2022 - PRESENT
3Q Investment Partners
- Formulated provocative and compelling investment theses to attract the best-of-the-best mid-market LP investors to over $340 million in capital deployment (US, Americas, Europe).
- Led carveouts, transformations, turnarounds, and expansions within an operating value creation strategy for acquisition targets (typically $5 million to $25 million EBITDA, up to $50 million).
- Architected business strategies, game plans, budgets, and schedules from the lens of a PE investor for multiple portfolio companies.
- Formulated value creation strategies using blue-chip, streamlined consulting methods, integrated with real-world implementation programs, budgets, resourcing plans, and schedules.
- Structured governance and risk management by bringing structures, procedures, and velocity to multiple steering committees and boards as co-chair, parliamentarian, committee/initiative head, and corporate secretary.
- Architected impact, sustainability, and ESG 2.0 strategies, including the formation of policies and procedures for SRI-aligned fiduciary duty-compliant investing.
- Leveraged past GP Chief Operating Officer experience to aid in the formation of policies, practices, and playbooks.
- Facilitated investments across various sectors, including construction, consumer products, defense, energy services, environmental services, industrial manufacturing, semiconductors, technology (including deep tech), transportation, and logistics.
Focus areas: Portfolio Management, Value Creation, Business Transformation, PE Fund Formation, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, M&A Value Creation, AI Enablement & Pilot Programs, AI Enablement, AI Productivity, Private Equity, Market Research, AI Prompt Engineering, AI-enabled Market Research, AI Agent - Requirements Gathgering, AI Agent - Functional Design, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, AI Use Case Identification, European Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Business Strategy, AI Governance, AI Ethics, Digital Transformation, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Capital Raising, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising
Partner | Strategic Transactions & Capital Raising Support | Fractional CXO
2008 - PRESENT
Grahampton
- Formulated, often from a blank page, the investment theses, documentation, and pitches to secure funding for over 550 ventures since 1993. Secured capital from investors in 30+ countries. Total capital raised (thus far) exceeds $104 billion.
- Partnered with family office heads, PE deal teams, and portfolio company CEOs to build/execute business transformation programs and value-creation plays, delivering +2.5x to +10x returns.
- Led multiple engagements and PMOs for carve-outs, stand-ups, business transformations, and value creation initiatives with a total enterprise value in excess of $200 billion.
- Served as CEO, CBO (business officer), and CTrO (transformation officer) with experience in business operations, deal team advisory, and board member roles as a full partner in a GP.
- Led end-to-end processes to achieve breakout value creation results through strategic direction setting, structured business transformation, reorganizations, operations improvements, and leadership team developments.
- Managed mandates including pre-transaction market assessments, investment thesis formations, business transformation roadmaps, carveout-standup plans, and value creation playbooks.
- Led pre-close assessments/planning as well as post-close strategic direction setting for carveouts and business transformations at a global management consulting firm.
- Directed rightsizings, reorganizations, turnarounds, scaling systems/platform builds, as well as structured/unstructured business transformations and quantified value creation initiatives.
- Held full operations/budget/schedule performance/admin responsibilities for 5- to 35-person teams on consultancy-advisory programs with budgets from $50,000 to $2.5 million.
Focus areas: Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), M&A Value Creation, AI Enablement & Pilot Programs, AI Enablement, AI Productivity, Private Equity, Market Research, AI Use Case Identification, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, AI Agent - Requirements Gathgering, AI-enabled Market Research, AI Prompt Engineering, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Business Strategy, AI Governance, AI Ethics, Digital Transformation, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Capital Raising, Venture Capital, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising
Chief Transformation Officer | Head of CSR, ESG, and DEI Science (Profit and Impact)
2017 - 2021
Culture Shift Labs
- Helped lead the diversity and inclusion building function as the Chief Transformation Officer.
- Researched/wrote/strategized in diversity and inclusion since 1988. Excelled in science of diversity/inclusion for sustainable competitive advantages/superior business outcomes.
- Served D&I-related needs of Fortune 500/global tech 500/institutional investors/non-profits/cultural organizations/family offices.
- Generated breakout revenue growth by building diverse talent pools, fostering creativity and productivity, and driving new products/services/opening markets.
Focus areas: Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Value Creation, Market Research, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Carve-out Planning, Carve-out Analysis, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy
Chief Operating Officer | Head of M&A Services | Head of Portfolio Management (Secondment)
2008 - 2011
Khashoggi Investment Holdings
- Promoted to GROUP COO after launching a financial services division, overseeing a 15-company portfolio.
- Held global responsibilities for initiation of new strategic ventures. Worked with portfolio company CEOs, global bankers, sovereign banks, and government leaders across the Middle East/Europe/Asia/Americas on high-value transactions/transformations.
- Oversaw strategic planning, performance improvement, and implementation of strategic growth initiatives across all portfolio companies.
- Served as senior advisor to Middle Eastern governments on economic diversification, industrialization, modernization, education, national security, and national outreach initiatives via a law firm operated by family members.
- Handled new market entry strategies, selling platforms, new product introductions, and localization of international operations.
- Undertook a secondment: formed and led, as the chief development officer, Saudi National Power & Water, a multinational power generation, power maintenance, and utility services consortium comprised of US, European, and Saudi industrial groups.
Focus areas: Portfolio Management, Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), M&A Value Creation, Private Equity, Market Research, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Capital Raising, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising
Managing Director | Engagement Leader, Organization Design and Business Transformations
2005 - 2008
PA Consulting
- Deployed state-of-the-art market intelligence gathering/opportunity evaluation techniques to produce research-based strategies/plans for growing businesses in complex emerging markets where such approaches were not thought possible.
- Headed the restructuring and transformation of a $1.2 billion development/investment firm. Led multinational team through restructuring of seven corporate units and nine corporate functions, generating a 2x increase in revenues ($2.2+ billion) in 34 months.
- Directed strategic/operations planning for a new $1.2 billion private equity investment fund from a blank page through to the first $300 million tranche funding on behalf of two sovereign wealth funds.
- Architected, negotiated, and delivered economic development-related engagements with governments in investment promotion/community and tourism development/multilateral development lending/economic diversification initiatives.
Focus areas: Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), M&A Value Creation, Private Equity, Market Research, AI Use Case Identification, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Capital Raising, Venture Capital, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising
Senior Vice President | Head of Strategic Transaction Services and Portfolio Management Practice
2000 - 2005
ColumbusNewport LLC
- Acted as a transformation strategist/executive-in-charge for strategic growth initiatives for corporate clients in North America/Europe/Asia in settings ranging from $1.5 million to $1.2 billion.
- Led the transaction manager for the arrangement of private placements/strategic investments for ultra-high net worth individuals/families globally (56 transactions totaling $5.3 billion).
- Led the sell side organization of a $400 million NASDAQ IPO of US oil and gas producer. Handled master planning and program management of the overall IPO effort/designing specific operations improvements/overseeing delivery of 54 workstreams.
- Secured favorable merger terms for a US digital content firm with India's leading cable television operator. Continued as senior architect of post-merger integration: formed an enterprise-wide plan. Built a 30-person delivery team/formulated systems.
- Built and led a 140-person team to plan/commit $1 billion to a global humanitarian/economic development project portfolio for the UK's largest private foundation. Set up internal organization/recruitment/processes to assess 750 funding opportunities on four continents.
- Founded/led education-experience program for US graduate students (+500 program graduates between 2000-2005).
- Founded/coached a fundraising/grant writing support program helping colleges/universities in emerging markets access international donor funds.
Focus areas: Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, M&A Value Creation, Private Equity, Market Research, Asia-Pacific (APAC), AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Capital Raising, Venture Capital, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising
CEO | Global Head of the Emerging Markets Telecomm Practice
1998 - 2000
Communications Systems Management International
- Developed and implemented a '10/10' internal business mission: ten new contracts in ten months. Streamlined practice startup processes, including hiring/branding/marketing/selling/proposal standardizing/bid controlling measures.
- Designed and built sales forces/distribution networks/marketing teams/strategic planning departments from the ground up for businesses including Cisco/Vimpelcom/Golden Telecomm/ICO Global.
- Analyzed the opportunity for satellite-enabled telephony in Africa, with on-the-ground work in 35 countries.
Focus areas: Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, M&A Transaction Management, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), M&A Value Creation, Private Equity, Market Research, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, Organizational Strategy
Chief Operating Officer | Head of the Research-Consulting Practice
1996 - 1998
Russian Market Research Company
- Championed and implemented firm-wide systems/standards/shared services that increased productivity by 500%, reduced project reworks by 85%, and reduced staff turnover by 75% (to 7% per annum).
- Identified and grew division from 10 to 270 staff. Delivered division net income of 33% at 24 months, improving overall EBITDA by 45%, precipitating a lucrative exit for the PE Fund backers.
- Supported the investment decision-making with enhanced market research and competitive intelligence gathered from over 100 joint ventures, acquisitions, and direct investments (valued in excess of $5.6 billion).
- Parlayed accounts in Russia to support the entry, operations, exit strategies for investments in China, India, Brazil, and Sub-Saharan Africa, working hand-in-hand with GMs/CEOs/boards of 22 multinational companies.
Focus areas: Business Transformation, Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), M&A Value Creation, Private Equity, Market Research, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, AI Use Case Identification, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Fundraising
Country Manager, Corporate Unit Networks and Franchising Systems Consulting
1995 - 1996
Sibley International
- Designed and implemented standards for daily operations and management guidelines for franchise ventures in banking, consumer retailing, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.
- Developed standard corporate unit rollout playbooks in the consumer good distribution and consumer services space.
- Designed a franchise-centric venture fund and one of the first impact- and diversity-focused development funds on behalf of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
- Headed complex market research and competitive economic intelligence gathering on behalf of investors, multilateral banks, and governments on three continents.
Focus areas: Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Planning, Carve-out Analysis, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Fundraising
General Manager | Chief Operating Partner | Portfolio Management for Family Office Investments
1991 - 1993
CGMS Balkans
- Oversaw the privatization and enterprise-wide transformation of a terry-cloth garment factory with 860 employees, leading their commercial expansion into European and North American markets.
- Led the rollout of one of Pepsi Food's top franchise brands in the Balkans, hiring the start-up team, acquiring sites, and building out operations in three countries.
- Led the joint venture planning for Rover Group's acquisition of Balkan Car, one of the first major post-transition investments in the nation's manufacturing capacity.
- Led the formation of a tourism joint venture focused on access to the national parks and mountainous regions of the Balkans on behalf of the US Tourism investors.
Focus areas: Value Creation, PE Fund Formation, Portfolio Management, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), PE Fund Operations, Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, M&A Value Creation, Private Equity, European Operations, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategic Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Business Strategy, Financial Services, Corporate Strategy, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Governance, Organizational Strategy, Fundraising
Experienced MIS Specialist
1989 - 1991
Arthur Andersen & Co. / Andersen Consulting
- Performed programming and system testing responsibilities for the revamping of a National billing and lading code software on behalf of United Parcel Service.
- Conducted programming and system testing responsibilities for order-to-cash processing software on behalf of a large Canadian construction material manufacturer.
- Worked on software selection criteria and architectural design for a global pharmaceutical manufacturer's proto-ERP system development.
Focus areas: Software Development, Digital Transformation
Education
1991 - 1993
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business
Georgetown University McDonough School of Business - Washington, DC, USA
1984 - 1989
Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Political Science
University of King's College - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Skills
Finance
Value Creation, Market Research, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Capital Raising, Fundraising, M&A (Buy-side), Market Opportunity Analysis, Cross-border M&A, Profit & Loss (P&L), Profitability Analysis, Growth Equity, Portfolio Analysis, Funding Strategy, Investment Thesis, Wealth Management
Industry Expertise
Venture Capital, Financial Services
Geographic Expertise
Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), European Union (EU), United States
Other
Business Transformation, PE Fund Operations, PE Fund Formation, Performance Improvement, M&A Due Diligence (Commercial), Strategy & Growth, Carve-outs & Stand-ups, Governance & Board Advisory, Cross‑border & Multinational Operations, PE Operating Partner, ESG & Impact Strategy, M&A Value Creation, AI Data Storytelling & Interpretation, Emerging Market Operations, Carve-out Analysis, Carve-out Planning, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategy Planning, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Growth Strategy, Business Strategy, Corporate Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Operations, Organizational Design, Exit Planning, Operations, Governance, Executive Consulting, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Business & Digital Transformation, HR Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, M&A Transaction Management, AI Enablement & Pilot Programs, AI Productivity, AI Prompt Engineering, AI-enabled Market Research, AI Agent - Requirements Gathgering, AI Agent - Functional Design, AI Use Case Identification, European Operations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Governance, AI Ethics, Digital Transformation, AI Enablement, Portfolio Management, Software Development, Philosophy, Economics, Politics, Business Logic, Mathematical Logic, Comparative Analysis, Dynamic Systems Thinking, Complex Situation Analysis, Statistical Methods, Statistical Analysis, Political Analysis, M&A Strategy, Investment Formation, Carve-out & Stand-up Leadership, Team Building, Team Management, Business to Business (B2B), Energy Services, Performance, Performance Analysis, Gross Profit Margin Growth, Revenue Growth, Revenue Strategy, Sales Growth, Value Analysis, Management, Executive Coaching, BI Reporting, AI Strategy, Business Processes, Healthcare IT, AI Agents, EBITDA, Exit Strategy, Turnaround, Turnaround Management, Investing, Pitch Preparation, Pitch Decks, Roadshows, Pitch Presentations, Pitch Deck Consultant, Financials, Investments, Transactions, Financial Transactions
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