Diego Lepage is a senior executive and attorney with more than 25 years of experience in corporate management, banking, financial services, investment advisory, and complex commercial transactions. Throughout his career, he has advised companies, investors, and entrepreneurs across Latin America and the United States on strategic legal and business matters, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, financial restructuring, cross-border transactions, private investments, and asset protection.
As Partner at LG Abogados, Diego advises local and international clients on corporate, commercial, financial, and investment matters, structuring domestic and cross-border transactions while providing strategic legal counsel that supports business growth and long-term value creation.
Previously, he held a senior executive leadership role where he oversaw corporate management, strategic planning, investment execution, financial restructuring, acquisitions, divestitures, risk management, and corporate governance across a diverse portfolio of businesses. He also directed complex legal and operational liquidation processes and represented financial institutions in major cross-border restructuring and creditor negotiations.
Diego holds postgraduate degrees in Financial Law and Commercial Law, along with a Bachelor of Laws from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB). He is recognized for combining legal expertise with commercial and financial acumen to deliver practical, business-oriented solutions for sophisticated corporate and investment matters.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts quite early, and taking my daughters to school is one of my favorite parts. Those drives are more than just part of our routine; they’re special moments when the three of us can talk, laugh, and catch up before our busy days begin. I value that uninterrupted time with them tremendously.
I dedicate about an hour and a half to exercising. Staying healthy is very important to me, and I make sure that at least an hour of my workout is cardio. It helps me clear my mind, stay focused, and gives me the energy I need for the rest of the day.
Once I have attended to my morning preparations, I begin working by reviewing emails. I like to stay organized, and I rarely end the day with unanswered emails if I can help it. Responding promptly and keeping commitments are habits that I take seriously. Work typically lasts into the evening, after which I take the opportunity to spend time with my family whenever possible. I always try to make them my priority.
Before going to bed, I check my emails one last time to make sure I’ve addressed anything important that came up during the day. Ending the day organized allows me to start the next morning with a clear mind.
For me, productivity isn’t just about working hard; it’s about maintaining a healthy balance. Exercise keeps me physically and mentally strong, discipline keeps me organized, and spending meaningful time with my daughters reminds me why I work so hard in the first place.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Running has always been much more than exercise for me. It is how I clear my mind, relieve stress, and maintain balance. I started practicing track and field when I was seven years old, and ever since then, running has been a constant part of my life. At the same time, it has become one of my greatest sources of inspiration and creativity.
Some of my best ideas have come to me while running. Being away from distractions gives me the space to reflect on my responsibilities, evaluate new opportunities, and think through challenges from different perspectives. Over the years, I have learned how to organize those ideas, turn them into actionable plans, and ultimately bring them to life.
For me, every project starts the same way: with an idea, followed by careful planning, discipline, and consistent execution. Running has taught me that meaningful results are rarely achieved overnight — they come from setting clear goals, staying focused, and taking one step at a time. That mindset has shaped not only how I approach my work, but also how I approach life.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend that excites me most is the way artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool to enhance human decision-making.
I believe AI has the potential to transform the way businesses operate by helping people analyze information faster, identify opportunities, and make better-informed decisions. In my own work, I see it as a tool that allows me to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time thinking strategically, solving complex problems, and creating value.
At the same time, I believe judgment, ethics, relationships, and experience will always remain uniquely human. The combination of technology and human insight is what I believe will shape the next generation of successful businesses.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
The one habit that has had the greatest impact on my productivity is staying organized.
Every morning, the first thing I do when I sit down at my desk is write a list of everything I need to accomplish that day, organized by priority. Having a clear plan from the very beginning helps me stay focused on what matters most and avoid distractions.
At the end of the day, before leaving my desk, I review that list item by item. I make sure I understand what was completed, what still needs attention, and I prepare a new list for the following morning. Starting each day with a plan and ending the day by preparing for the next has become one of the most valuable habits I have developed.
Throughout the day, I also send myself reminders whenever a new responsibility comes up or when a new idea crosses my mind. I have learned that good ideas can appear at any moment; capturing them immediately allows me to build on them later instead of letting them disappear. Those notes often become the foundation for solving problems, improving projects, or identifying new opportunities.
Productivity, for me, is being intentional. By organizing my time, ideas, and energy, I can manage multiple responsibilities while continuing to make meaningful progress on the projects that matter most.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give advice to my younger self, I would tell him to be patient and trust the process.
Looking back, I realize that the discipline, dedication, and consistency I developed from my very first job were the right foundation. However, there were many moments when I became impatient because I felt my goals were taking longer to achieve than I had hoped.
With time and experience, I have learned that hard work truly does pay off — but not always as quickly as we would like. Success comes to those who keep moving forward, even when progress seems slow. Every challenge, every setback, and every small step forward contribute to the bigger picture.
I would tell my younger self not to rush, not to lose faith, and never to become discouraged. When things are done with integrity, organization, and a strong sense of responsibility, the results eventually come. Patience and perseverance are just as important as talent, and often they are what make the difference between giving up and achieving your goals.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I strongly believe that proactivity is something we should all practice far more often and with greater intention.
Once I finish my responsibilities, I always try to ask myself questions like: How else can I help? Does anyone need support? What can I get done in advance? How can I improve the service I provide? I believe these simple questions can make a remarkable difference.
Being proactive is all about creating value before someone asks for it. It allows us to grow professionally, continuously improve, and build trust with the people around us. More importantly, it helps our managers and colleagues recognize our potential, making us more likely to be entrusted with greater responsibilities, leadership opportunities, and the most important challenges.
In my experience, people who consistently look for ways to contribute beyond what is expected are the ones who create the greatest long-term opportunities for themselves.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
If there is one habit I would recommend to everyone, it is to develop a daily routine.
Having a routine has helped me make better use of my time, stay focused on my priorities, and avoid wasting energy on unnecessary decisions throughout the day. A structured routine creates consistency, and consistency is what ultimately leads to meaningful progress.
Of course, life is unpredictable and unexpected situations will always arise. But having a routine gives you a foundation that allows you to adapt without losing sight of your goals. I have found that the more intentional I am with my time, the more productive, balanced, and fulfilled I become. Time is our most valuable resource, and once it is gone, we can never get it back. That is why I believe creating a routine that reflects your priorities is one of the best investments anyone can make.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or lose focus, the first thing I do is step away from the problem for a few minutes. Most of the time, I go for a run or work out. Physical exercise helps me clear my mind and regain perspective.
I also go back to my list of priorities. Often, feeling overwhelmed comes from trying to solve too many things at once. By reorganizing my tasks, ranking them by importance, and focusing on one at a time, I quickly regain control of the situation.
Another practice that has become essential for me is writing down every idea related to the problem on a whiteboard. I enjoy sketching diagrams, connecting concepts, and mapping out different possibilities. Seeing my thoughts visually allows me to recognize patterns and relationships that I might otherwise miss. Many times, this process reveals the clues I need to identify the best solution. It helps me transform scattered ideas into a clear and structured plan.
Over the years, I have learned that very few problems are solved by reacting with anxiety or urgency. They are solved with calm thinking, organization, and discipline. I would rather take a few minutes to organize my thoughts and develop a plan, than make an impulsive decision.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has consistently helped me grow my business and advance in my career is earning my clients’ trust.
From the very beginning, my goal has never been simply to complete a transaction. Instead, I strive to become a trusted advisor—someone my clients know they can rely on to provide honest, thoughtful, and well-informed advice. I want them to feel confident that every recommendation I make is based on what is genuinely in their best interest.
I also believe that exceptional service means always looking for the best possible solution. When a client’s preferred outcome is achievable, I do everything I can to make it happen. When it is not, I don’t stop there. I work just as hard to identify creative alternatives that bring us as close as possible to the original objective. In my experience, clients value honesty and commitment far more than unrealistic promises.
Being available, responsive, and fully committed, regardless of the day or the hour, has allowed me to build relationships that extend far beyond individual projects. Many of my clients have remained with me for years and have referred their family members, friends, and business associates because they know they will receive the same level of dedication and care.
I believe that long-term success is built on trust, integrity, and consistently putting the client’s interests first. When clients know that you are committed to helping them achieve the best possible outcome, they not only return — they become your strongest advocates.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One thing I sometimes consider a missed opportunity in my career was not pursuing a postgraduate degree abroad.
As soon as I graduated from law school, I started working. I was eager to contribute, learn, and make myself useful. That commitment and dedication gradually opened the door to greater responsibilities and increasingly challenging opportunities. I became so engaged in my professional career that I chose not to step away from it to study overseas.
Instead, I completed my postgraduate studies locally, attending classes at night after work. While I occasionally wonder what studying abroad would have been like, I have no regrets. My career itself became my classroom, and every new responsibility became another opportunity to learn.
The biggest lesson is that there is more than one path to personal and professional growth. Sometimes life unfolds differently from what we originally imagined, but that does not mean the outcome is any less valuable. I believe in making the most of the opportunities you have, continuing to learn wherever you are, and being grateful for the path that has shaped you into the person you are today.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I am happy to share is this: stop trying to sell a service and start becoming a trusted advisor.
Being a trusted advisor means much more than solving problems when they arise. It means being available when your clients need you, thinking proactively, and constantly looking for ways to improve what is already working. Sometimes the greatest value comes not from fixing something that is broken, but from making a successful process even more efficient.
Ultimately, the objective is to help clients simplify their lives, save time, and focus on what matters most. If you can eliminate unnecessary tasks, improve decision-making, and create more efficient systems, you are giving your clients something far more valuable than a service—you are giving them more time for themselves, their families, and the things they truly enjoy.
In my experience, trust is the best asset any business can build because it cannot be copied by competitors.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The software that has had the biggest impact on my productivity is artificial intelligence (AI), combined with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and emailing.
I use AI as a thinking partner rather than simply as a writing tool. It helps me organize ideas, structure complex projects, challenge my assumptions, and explore different approaches to solving problems. Whether I am drafting a business proposal, reviewing a contract, preparing a presentation, or brainstorming new opportunities, AI allows me to work more efficiently while improving the quality of my thinking.
One of the ways I use it most is after I have outlined my ideas on a whiteboard. Once I have mapped out concepts and relationships visually, I use AI to refine my thoughts, identify gaps, and transform those ideas into clear action plans, professional documents, and strategic recommendations.
Microsoft Excel is another indispensable tool in my daily work. I use it to organize financial information, analyze data, compare scenarios, build financial models, and evaluate different alternatives before making decisions. It allows me to break down complex information into a logical and measurable format, making it easier to identify opportunities and assess risks.
Microsoft PowerPoint is equally important because it helps me communicate ideas effectively. I believe that even the best ideas have little value if they cannot be explained clearly. I use PowerPoint to organize information visually, present projects in a structured way, and make complex concepts easy for clients, partners, and investors to understand.
Email is another essential productivity tool for me. I prefer using email whenever possible because it allows me to communicate clearly and efficiently without spending unnecessary time in long conversations or meetings. I like to ask direct, well-structured questions and provide concise information so that people can respond efficiently. This approach saves time, creates a written record of decisions, and allows everyone involved to stay aligned and focused on what really matters.
I do not see technology as a replacement for human judgment. Instead, I see it as a set of tools that enhances creativity, organization, analysis, communication, and decision-making. The best ideas still come from people — their experience, intuition, and values. AI, Excel, PowerPoint, and email simply help me transform those ideas into well-structured analyses, actionable plans, effective presentations, and efficient communication. Together, they have become some of the most valuable productivity tools I use every day.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
The best $100 I recently spent was on an AI subscription.
It has allowed me to explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and better understand how it can be applied in both my personal and professional life. Rather than simply using AI to save time, I have learned how to build practical tools that help me organize information, monitor the topics that matter most to me, analyze complex situations, and generate ideas more efficiently.
What I find most exciting is that AI can be personalized to each person’s interests and needs. Whether it is following industry trends, organizing projects, preparing presentations, or improving decision-making, it has become an invaluable assistant that helps me work more effectively.
For me, it has been an investment in learning a technology that I believe will fundamentally transform the way we work and solve problems in the years ahead.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I am not a regular podcast listener, but my wife has recommended several excellent episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience that I have found extremely valuable.
One episode that particularly stood out to me was Joe Rogan’s conversation with Elon Musk about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. What I found most interesting was not just the technology itself, but the broader discussion about how AI is likely to transform the way we work, make decisions, and solve complex problems over the coming years.
That conversation reinforced my belief that AI should not be viewed as a replacement for human intelligence, but as a tool that can amplify creativity, productivity, and decision-making. It has also influenced how I incorporate AI into my own professional life and how I think about the future of business and innovation.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Without a doubt, the Rocky saga is my favorite movie series.
Beyond boxing, I believe it conveys one of the most powerful messages about life and business: talent alone is never enough. Hard work, consistency, resilience, and determination are what ultimately allow people to achieve extraordinary goals.
One of my favorite lessons from the series is that success is about having the courage to get back up every single time. Challenges, setbacks, and failures are inevitable, but perseverance is what separates those who eventually succeed from those who give up.
That philosophy has stayed with me throughout my personal and professional life. Whenever I face a difficult decision or a major challenge, I remind myself that progress comes from showing up every day, staying disciplined, and continuing to move forward, even when the path is difficult.
Key learnings:
- Productivity is about spending quality time with loved ones and staying disciplined.
- AI aids decision-making and improves efficiency. It does not replace the power of human insight.
- Become proactive and focus on creating value for others. It shows commitment and the willingness to build relationships beyond responsibilities.
- Stay organized and intentional about your day with a plan. Following a routine helps in saving time and prioritizing responsibilities.