By Chris Dionne, Senior Account Director
Started from the kitchen table, now we’re here.
Fifteen years ago, I was a lucky intern who said yes to an opportunity without fully knowing where it would lead. What I did know was that I wanted to learn, work alongside smart people, and be part of something that had momentum. What I didn’t know was that I’d spend the next 15 years growing up – personally and professionally – alongside a company that never stopped evolving.
As North enters its next chapter with a refreshed brand and a clearer articulation of where we’re headed, that evolution feels more tangible than ever.
If you count carefully, I’ve worked in five different North “offices.” One of them was our co‑founder Mia Pearson’s kitchen, where for a couple of months in the spring of 2011, we were building what would become our first HQ. That early chapter set the tone for what North has always been about: resourceful, people‑first, and focused on building something meaningful.
From the beginning, Mia and co‑founder Justin Creally set out to create a place where people could build and grow their careers. I’m proud to say North delivered on that commitment – for me and for so many others. I haven’t just learned how to do the work here; I’ve learned how to think about it. How to ask better questions. How to stay curious. How to evolve alongside an industry that never stands still.
One of the earliest lessons North taught me is that you can take the work seriously without taking yourself too seriously. That mindset matters in an industry that can often confuse noise for influence and urgency for importance. Fifteen years in, I’ve learned that direction will always matter more than volume. Clear thinking beats loud thinking. The brands, teams, and leaders that last are grounded in purpose and values, even as they adapt.
And adapt we have. This industry looks nothing like it did when I started. Platforms have changed, attention spans have shortened, and “influence” has become both more powerful and more complex than ever. Under the leadership of CEO Jessica Savage and President Sarah Stewart‑Browne, North has continued to evolve with intention, grounded in clear thinking, earned influence, and a deep respect for culture – now expressed more deliberately through a refreshed brand that better reflects how we work today.
That evolution has always been driven by learning, something I remain grateful for. North has never pretended to have all the answers, but it has always invested in figuring them out. That curiosity is what I believe sets North apart and allows us to build ideas that travel, staying relevant as the work and the industry evolve.
Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have landed in the right place at the right time. But luck only gets you so far. What’s kept me here for 15 years is a company that believes in growing its people, creating space for ambition, evolution, and real life to coexist.
As North approaches its own 15‑year milestone, I’m excited for the next generation of interns starting their journeys, and for the new ideas, perspectives, and leadership shaping our future.
Here’s to the kitchen tables, the big ideas, and the friendships that made this journey what it’s been – and to carrying that energy with us into the next chapter.
