REPE Associate to IB Associate Post-MBA

I am currently a REPE associate for boutique firm in the EU, as well as an MBA candidate for a decent MBA program (Think IESE, IMD, Warwick), and looking to return back to the USA (am US citizen) and work in IB/PE. I do not wish to continue working in the RE space, and my pre-MBA experience is in Corp Strategy with a F500 bank in their auto division. I am also a board advisor to a SaaS startup that just received funding, so my industry experience is all over the place.

I'm networking pretty hard, as my schools network isn't exactly booming in the US, but do you think it's possible for me to lateral to non-RE IB associate position? I would like to work in corporate PE eventually, but I know it won't happen in the short-term. What is the best path for me to get into a good bank, and group with my background? How much of an uphill battle will I have?