Executive Search Disruptors, Hit one year Milestone as North Star Partners Gains Traction

Posted: Wednesday, Apr 01

KBI.Media
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Executive Search Disruptors, Hit one year Milestone as North Star Partners Gains Traction

Karissa Breen, more commonly known as KB, is crowned a LinkedIn ‘Top Voice in Technology’, and widely recognised across the global cybersecurity industry. A serial entrepreneur, she is the co-founder of the TMFE Group, a portfolio of cybersecurity-focused businesses spanning an industry-leading media platform, a specialist marketing agency, a content production studio, and the executive headhunting firm, MercSec. Now based in the United States, KB oversees US editorial operations and leads the expansion of the group’s media footprint across North America, while maintaining a strong presence in Australia, and the broader global market. She is the former Producer and Host of the streaming show 2Fa.tv, and currently sits at the helm of journalism for the group’s flagship arm, KBI.Media, the independent cybersecurity media company. As a cybersecurity investigative journalist, KB hosts her globally-renowned podcast, KBKast, where she interviews leading cybersecurity practitioners, CISOs, government officials including heads-of-state, and industry pioneers from around the world. The podcast has been downloaded in over 65 countries with more than 400,000 global downloads, influencing billions of dollars in cybersecurity budgets. KB is known for asking the hard questions and extracting real, commercially relevant insights. Her approach provides an uncoloured, strategic lens on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, demystifying complex security issues and translating them into practical intelligence for executives navigating risk, regulation, and rapid technological change.

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Executive Search Disruptors, Hit one year Milestone as North Star Partners Gains Traction

From Karissa Breen

One year in – Josh Hill and Luca Marzorati’s Quiet Build at North Star Partners is Turning Heads

In an industry we know for churn, ego and constant movement, most firms spend their first year trying to prove they belong.

Recently, the pair hit one year since the launch of North Star Partners, the executive search firm which was founded in 2024 to challenge what they collectively saw as a broken, transactional recruitment model.

“We’re only just getting started and look forward to continuing to disrupt the industry for the better.” Said Hill.

“We’re excited to continue building and thankful to all of our supporters, clients and staff who’ve helped us reach this milestone.”

Hill and Marzorati launched the firm with a clear… north star, that executive search had lost its human edge.

“Our job is not finding who is ‘the best’ on paper, but who is the best for you. That’s a big difference.” Said Marzorati.

Too many firms are treating candidates like numbers and funnelling them into roles, that perhaps aren’t good for them or the company. Too many processes are optimised for speed over substance. North Star’s approach was to juxtapose the traditional industry, which is driven by relationship first, a human centred approach, one that prioritises long term partnerships over quick placements.

“We leverage technology extensively, but just to enhance and spend more time in what we add value to, which is human interactions. Technology is a catalyst, not the destination.” Marzorati went on to say.

The recruitment industry is one-hundred percent under pressure.

AI is reshaping the sourcing game. Candidates expect more transparency and less ghosting. Executives are pushing back on cookie cutter processes and average candidates.

“We’re seeing a rise in AI across both threat environments and within recruitment processes, keeping the human being behind the CV at the centre of your thinking has been our key to the success.” Concluded Hill.