Newsletter - The Sentinel #4

A street in Monastiraki, Athens

Dear Influidencers,

After a few days in Istanbul, I flew to Athens—swapping börek, baklava, and rakı for their Greek counterparts (let’s keep the comparisons between us). Both cities left a mark, shaped by the people I met and the truths I uncovered. But Athens had a different rhythm—softer, more human in scale. Walking the streets of giants was humbling, a quiet reminder of perspective that always comes in handy.

This month has been packed with new experiences, meeting with exceptional individuals and new projects on the horizon. I had some thought-provoking conversations with fellow investors and a few spies about The Art of Field Research: Building an Edge Through Applied Intelligence—turns out, the interest in applied intelligence runs deeper than I expected.

This edition brings you three deep dives that reflect where my head has been lately. From global trade arteries to the contradictions of Athens, and a deep dive into HK Kim's Korean activism strategy, this one is packed!

This Month’s Research & Insights

Activism in Korea isn’t for the faint of heart. Corporate governance is a battleground, and fighting for shareholder rights means going up against deeply entrenched power structures. HK Kim is doing exactly that. Last month, I introduced him through an interview where he shared his passion for activism, along with insights from some of the greatest investors on the planet.

This piece breaks down his strategy—how he identifies opportunities, drives change, and navigates a market that resists outside pressure. HK Kim doesn’t just invest; he’s reshaping the landscape. If activism is your thing, you won’t want to miss this.

Read the Full Analysis of HK Kim's Korean Activism Strategy here.

Shipping is everywhere, yet investors barely talk about it. Maybe because they see it as a risky, asset-heavy, volatile, and cyclical industry (which isn’t entirely wrong), or maybe because trade feels invisible when you’re not standing at a port watching container ships roll in. But here’s the thing—global trade is the economy, and shipping is its bloodstream. About 90% of the world’s goods move by sea.

Notes on Shipping unpacks what I saw, what’s changing, and why the world isn’t deglobalizing nearly as much as the headlines suggest. It also dives into how the industry is evolving—from green initiatives to the battle against the ‘dark fleet.’ If you’re looking for macro signals that actually reflect reality, this one’s for you.

Read it here.

Athens forces you to confront time—past, present, and future colliding in a way few cities manage. It’s grand, chaotic, deeply political, and brutally honest. Walking through the streets, you can feel both resilience and exhaustion in the air.

Protests. Corruption scandals. A multi-billion euro mega-project that might change everything—or nothing. The city is a paradox, and I tried to capture both its energy and its economic contradictions.

In my Postcard from Athens, I also dive into the Greek economy and equity markets—including a potential hidden gem. I wasn’t sure what I’d find, but between a strong talent pool, solid economic growth, and a strategic position bridging Western and Eastern Europe, Greece is full of potential. Check it out here 

What’s Next

In the coming weeks, I’ll be based mostly in Athens, writing deep dives and gathering scuttlebutt. After that, I’ll head to Norway and Marseille. If you find yourself in any of these places, let’s meet.

I’m also excited to share the upcoming research I’ve been working on—more on-the-ground insights, more deep dives, and likely a few unexpected detours. If you want to discuss any of this, you know where to find me!

Yours faithfully,

Marie