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The Changing Landscape of Due Diligence in the Age of AI

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:00:07 GMT

What the Shy Girl Controversy Reveals in the A ge of AI

As someone who monitors the publishing market with the same fervor as people who closely watch the stock market, I had been excited to read Mia Ballard’s horror novel, Shy Girl. I had first heard about the book through TikTok just a few months after it had been self-published in February 2025, and I was thrilled when I heard that the book had garnered enough attention to be picked up for standard publication by Hachette, one of the Big Five publishing houses.

And then, just a month before Shy Girl was scheduled for release in the United States, the book’s publication was canceled. In the United Kingdom, where the novel had been released in November 2025, Shy Girl was discontinued.

According to The New York Times, which first reported the story , Shy Girl had been pulled from publication due to widespread online allegations that the author had “relied heavily” on artificial intelligence to write the book. A follow-up article published by the Times further reported that in early 2026, Max Spero—founder and CEO of Pangram, an AI detection program—“heard of the claims about ‘Shy Girl’ and decided to run a test of the full text,” which yielded results indicating that the novel was approximately 78 percent AI generated.

I was disappointed, to say the least. I had been looking forward to reading Shy Girl and championing an author whose self-published work had transformed her writing career into mainstream publishing success. And yet, Ballard’s response to the AI allegations gave me pause. In a statement to the Times, Ballard “denied using AI to write ‘Shy Girl,’ contending that an acquaintance she hired to edit the self-published version of the novel had used AI.” Ballard, who is pursuing legal action, could not elaborate on how AI had been used in the editing process, but she did state: “This controversy has changed my life in many ways and my mental health is at an all time low and my name is ruined for something I didn’t even personally do.”

Ballard’s statement stayed with me long after I read about the Shy Girl controversy, and I found myself ruminating about the larger implications of this case—particularly with respect to our work here at North Point. The publishing industry is not unique in the way it is being forced to grapple with AI and its advancing capabilities. The recent AI boom has already transformed so many aspects of how we work and live, and it’s becoming quite clear that the development of AI products and services is not slowing down any time soon. Yet the case of Shy Girl inspires two nuanced questions for me: How is the role of due diligence changing in the wake of AI’s evolution , and how long will it be until someone figures out how to exploit this evolution in some innovatively fraudulent way ?

Wit, Charisma and AI Tools

The art of scammers and fraudsters is a tradition dating back thousands of years. Early cases of tax fraud were recorded in Ancient Egypt five thousand years ago , and cases of insurance fraud can be traced back over two thousand years to Ancient Greece. Whether or not we would like to acknowledge it, the truth remains: just as there will always be healers, teachers, and leaders among us, so, too, will there be scammers, fraudsters, and liars. Recent examples of famous fraudsters—think Bernie Madoff, Anna Delvey , Elizabeth Holmes—show that the art of fraud is not only alive and well, but also constantly evolving.

This is not to say that Mia Ballard and the Shy Girl controversy is equivalent to Bernie Madoff’s scheme or Anna Delvey’s tapestry of lies. Quite the opposite, in fact. We don’t yet know to what extent, if any, Ballard used AI to generate most of Shy Girl, nor do we know whether she was aware that someone else may have used AI while editing the novel. For the time being, this controversy is hovering in a gray area that the publishing industry, and the world itself, has not yet had to explore.

In the cases of Madoff, Delvey, or Holmes, we have a certainty of wrongdoing. More importantly, though, we have the certainty that these scams could have—and should have—been caught long before they were exposed. These famous fraudsters serve as both examples and reminders that comprehensive due diligence is more than just another step in a deal or partnership process. It is an absolute necessity, perhaps now more than ever. If the likes of Madoff, Delvey, and Holmes were able to execute their scams with nothing more than their wits, charisma, and audacity, then the question remains: what could the next famous fraudster accomplish with wit, charisma, audacity, and AI tools?

This question of “the next famous fraudster” is not a matter of if to me, but when. I’m certain that for every person using AI to improve the world around us, there is at least one person learning how AI can be exploited to improve the world of fraud. We know there will always be fraudsters among us, and we know that—for the most part—these fraudsters can be exposed simply by someone asking the right questions and pursuing the corresponding answers.

These questions and their answers are what make our work here at North Point worthwhile, engaging, and important. As a diverse due diligence firm, we strive to provide our clients with comprehensive research solutions that foster confident business partnerships and decisions. Our team of researchers is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and skillsets, and we are unified in our purpose to ask questions, to find answers, to approach each project with both tenacious curiosity and generous skepticism. And while the case of Shy Girl still hovers in limbo, the implications loom over more than just the publishing industry.

Now more than ever, we must consider the vast array of tools available to fraudsters and malefactors. We must ask questions, we must pursue answers, and we must face the fact that the next great fraudster is not a matter of if, but when. And yet, despite the uncertainty of how AI will develop and what the world will look like in just a few short years, I find myself quite certain of one thing: the team at North Point will be here ready to ask questions, find answers, and provide our clients with the peace of mind that their deals and partnerships will not result in some fraudster making a fool of them.

About the Author

Jon Muñoz joined North Point as a Research Analyst in May of 2021. Over the last five years, Jon has contributed to the North Point Team in innumerable ways including but not limited to their contribution to improving the writing and editing process, mentoring junior analysts and most recently sharing their writing talent with our Insights Blog.

A fan of live music, Jon currently resides in Boston with their two cats, a personal library that is the envy of all of us book-lovers and is a key member of our research team. Jon brings a unique professional and educational background with the following degrees:

Bachelor of Arts in English from Centenary University
MFA in Creative Writing: Nonfiction from Emerson College

What Recent Graduates Need to Know About Social Media and Due Diligence

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:45:37 GMT

At the end of 2025, I had the opportunity to travel with colleagues from North Point to speak at the career development day for student-athletes at Brown University. We were invited to share insight into how employers evaluate candidates and, more specifically, how companies like us verify what’s on a resume.

Many students walked into the session believing that a background check is a simple, automated, “check-the-box” process, a quick database search, a confirmation of employment, or maybe a degree verification. In reality, due diligence often goes much deeper for many careers in financial and professional services.

Beyond the Check-the-Box Background Check

As investigative researchers, our role is not just to confirm that a candidate worked somewhere or earned a particular credential. We analyze reported experience, evaluate consistency across sources, and look for context. If a resume lists leadership roles, internships, certifications, or entrepreneurial ventures, we examine whether those claims align with publicly available information and third-party verification.

For recent graduates entering the workforce, two areas tend to receive particular attention:

Internship experience
Social media presence

Many of the students we spoke with were surprised at the level of detail involved. They had carefully polished their resumes and LinkedIn profiles, but hadn’t considered how their broader digital footprint might factor into an employer’s evaluation.

How Employers Review Social Media During Background Checks

For today’s graduates, social media has been a constant throughout high school and college. It feels personal, informal, and separate from professional life.

From a due diligence perspective, however, social media is part of the overall picture. Many platforms default to public settings when accounts are first created. Tagged photos, public comments, and interactions with friends or family whose accounts remain public can all create a digital trail.

And then there are platforms people don’t always think of as “social media.”

Take Venmo, for example. While technically a payments application, its feed is designed like a social platform. By default, transactions can be visible to others, often accompanied by emojis or inside jokes. We frequently see lighthearted references between friends, coded humor or sarcastic descriptions. Among peers, the meaning may be obvious and harmless. To an employer reviewing a candidate’s digital footprint, however, context is not always clear, and assumptions are rarely generous. One of the simplest pieces of advice I give students is this: lock down your privacy settings . There is rarely a reason for the general public—or a potential employer—to know where you are or how you are spending your money.

Awareness is Power

The goal of due diligence is not to penalize young professionals for being young. It is to assess risk, credibility, and alignment. Employers are investing significant resources in new hires, and they want to feel confident in the integrity and judgment of the individuals they bring on board.

What many students don’t realize is that inconsistencies, questionable humor, or exaggerated claims can raise concerns—not because of one isolated post, but because of the broader narrative they create.

Your digital presence tells a story. The question is: is it the story you want told?

Conduct Due Diligence on Employers, Too

While much of our presentation focused on how candidates are evaluated, I always emphasize that due diligence should not be one-sided.

Young job seekers should conduct their own research on potential employers:

Look into company leadership.
Review recent press coverage.
Understand the organization’s culture and reputation.
Evaluate financial stability and growth.
Speak with former employees when possible.

A job offer is not just an opportunity; it’s a commitment of your time, energy, and early career trajectory. Just as companies assess risk in hiring, candidates should assess risk in accepting.

The Takeaway for Recent Graduates

As you enter the workforce, understand that your resume is only one piece of your professional profile. Your internship experiences, online presence, and public digital activity all contribute to how you are perceived.

Before you begin applying:

Google yourself.
Review privacy settings across platforms.
Audit old posts.
Tighten public transaction feeds.
Ensure your online presence aligns with the professional image you want to project.

In today’s hiring landscape, due diligence is deeper, faster, and more thorough than many realize. Being proactive about your digital footprint—and thoughtful about the organizations you join—can make all the difference in launching a strong and sustainable career.

About the Author

Prior to joining North Point, Chloe Woodbine was an accomplished collegiate Water Polo player, earning numerous recognitions including 2021 Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Player of the Year. Originally from Australia, Chloe joined North Point in 2024 and currently also serves a Water Polo Colour Analyst on ESPN+ for the Brown Men's and Women's Water Polo teams. As a research analyst, Chloe adds unique experiences and an equally impressive educational background to our team with the following degrees:

Master of Science in Applied Intelligence from Mercyhurst University
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Management from Salem University
Bachelor of Applied Public Health from Torrens University Australia
Bachelor of Science in Biology / Physiology & Exercise Science from Salem University

Using the Internet Archive for Due Diligence

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:29:05 GMT

This country has become a place where one can believe or deny anything and find a significant number of people who share the position. A curiously large number of people appear to earn a living in these pursuits, and intellectuals, technologists and Big Thinkers flood media with discussions of the immense power of technology to warp reality and the risks technologies pose to the concept of shared truth in society.

The prognosticators might be right and I’m not blind to the ways these concerns are valid in terms of their potential impacts on politics and social cohesion, but I take some comfort in the idea that while there is a motive for many to create and stoke worry about a warped reality, most of us need to make or do something of value and we rely on ways of accurately sharing information about what we do to support that goal.

Preserving the Past with the Internet Archive

In our work at North Point, The Internet Archive (web.archive.org) is one of the best tools for examining those representations, establishing important connections and triangulating to resolve open questions about people and organizations using information of their own creation over time. It isn’t perfect or fool proof, but it is shockingly comprehensive and once we developed an understanding of its logic and navigational quirks it became an important part of achieving our mission of accurately representing history.

For the uninitiated, the Internet Archive is, as the name suggests, an archived internet. Among its other functions (it partners with organizations to act as a repository for digital information etc.) its Wayback Machine is basically a horizontal version of the web – a way to access the internet across time. Using a robotic crawler, it has been cataloging web content since the 1990’s. It allows our team to understand how a company or person represented its experience at a specific moment in time, how it presented its offerings, where it was located or through which legal entity it was operating at a moment of interest to us or our clients.

We have used it to unearth details that led to discovering litigation for which we would not have known to look, or businesses we did not know existed or details that opened avenues of inquiry that would have otherwise been hidden from view.

Archives Provide an Important Public Service

At North Point we are on a mission to conduct thorough research and tell accurate stories as completely as we can in a short period of time. The most valuable tools for our work unearth threads and provide clues about where we can look to definitively resolve open questions. Depending on the day or engagement, the Archive does a bit of both.

The Internet Archive is free to use, supported by donations and funding from governmental and other grants. It is the creation of prominent digital librarian (definitely the only one I could name) Brewster Kahle, who set out to record the internet because “ for thousands of years, libraries and archives have provided this important public service. I started the Internet Archive because I strongly believed that this work needed to continue in digital form and into the digital age”.

The Future of the Internet Archive and our Library System

The archive has detractors; some who cite copyright concerns ( a lengthy litigation related to those concerns was resolved in 2025 ) and others, including an aspiring Mars resident who slashed federal funding for the archive because he seemed to view efforts to accurately remember history as a partisan trap. But for regular people, unconcerned with breaking or saving society, who need to go to work and want to make sure they understand the reality of a given situation or would like history to accurately reflect them or their organization, it is as reliable and helpful a tool as exists. For its supposed faults and clunky navigation (it has some nuances that make its efficient use a real skill) it is an incredible source reliable recent history.

Since I have no political aspirations and no future in the conspiracy influencer economy, until someone makes something better, I and almost everyone I know will be using the internet to do our jobs, build companies, brands, reputations etc. and as long as that is the case, the Archive will have an important role to play in making sure we know who we were.

About the Author

Isaac Garcia-Dale founded North Point Associates in 2018 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Over the last 7+ years, Isaac has built North Point to be a leader in research for serious, high-stakes decisions for a wide range of clients across private equity, strategic communications and law. Today, Isaac leads the company and oversees strategy, business development and refining our research process.

Isaac holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics-Finance from Bentley College and a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from Suffolk University.

To learn more and support the Internet Archive, please visit https://archive.org/ .

Raising the Bar on Executive Due Diligence: Reflections on a Complex Year and What Comes Next

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:33:03 GMT

The Evolving Role of Executive Due Diligence in Private Equity

As we look back on the year behind us, one marked by social tension, political division, and persistent economic uncertainty, it is clear that the landscape of leadership has changed. The expectations placed on executives today extend far beyond technical expertise, polished résumés, and a record of strong EBITDA.

In a world where how you show up matters just as much as what you deliver, executive due diligence has never been more essential.

Leadership today is undeniably public. Impressions formed in the boardroom, across professional networks, and throughout one’s online presence all intertwine; what happens in one area often echoes, amplifies, or reshapes perceptions in another. Investors, deal teams, and partners are increasingly asking the same questions:

Is this a leader people believe in?
Someone who stands for something?
Someone teams will rally behind?

Reliability, authenticity, and character have become investment variables, and they influence outcomes just as meaningfully as financial performance.

The Evolution of Due Diligence

A check the box approach simply does not cut it anymore. Our clients know this, and it is why they turn to us. Over the past year, we have deepened longstanding partnerships and forged new ones, working alongside private equity firms who understand that executive assessment must rise to meet the moment. Together, we have helped elevate the standard of what thoughtful and comprehensive due diligence looks like, and we are proud to have earned a reputation as a trusted partner who brings clarity to an increasingly complex space.

Looking ahead, we remain hopeful. Unpredictability may be the only certainty in today’s market, but thorough and human centered due diligence provides a stabilizing force. Solid investments begin with solid leaders. Deal teams that take a rigorous approach to understanding not just the financials but the people behind them will continue to set themselves apart.

Beyond Automation: The Value of Expert Analysis

As the focus on automation continues to grow, the salience of our insights and our ability to run facts to ground has never been more important, ensuring that decision-makers receive clarity and context that automation cannot provide.

With an influx of tools that are driven by algorithms and incomplete databases, in our line of work, true reliability comes from human intelligence, careful fact-checking, the deliberate gathering of information, and the discernment to interpret nuance that machines alone cannot. We are here to provide that clarity, to ensure investors have confidence in the leaders they back.

Due Diligence the Drives Confident Partnerships

Our commitment remains unwavering. We uphold the highest level of integrity in every project we undertake and deliver confidence around factors that investors can, and must be, unequivocally clear on. In a world that shifts quickly, the need for dependable insight only grows stronger. We are here to meet that need, today and in the year to come.

We are constantly calculating whether we can rely on the people around us. Real leadership depends on human connection and courage to be vulnerable. If your processes ignore that, you’re missing the point. Raising the bar means building work rooted in context and trust, not just data. If you’re looking for a new trusted partner in 2026, we’d love to connect.

About the Author

Haley Rist is our Head of Operations and oversees efficient, integrated workflows across the organization and as a member of our leadership team, contributes to strategic planning and drives organizational growth. Haley leads core business functions, manages internal systems and collaborates across teams on vendor and client relationships.

Haley holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Fine/Studio Arts from Northeaster University and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and Training, also from Northeastern University.

Patience, Persistence, and Process: Due Diligence and the Rubik's Cube

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:45:13 GMT

Rooting Out Fringe Scenarios

Recently, my kids and I endeavored to learn how to solve the Rubik's Cube. We found that through a step-by-step process of prescribed moves, it is possible to consistently turn a jumbled block into the matched colored sides we had previously seen only immediately after removing a new cube from its packaging. Learning the process took time and was frustrating, as initial moves that are easily memorized gave way to more complicated algorithms. We are not setting speed-solving records, but we have achieved our underlying goal through persistence and a regular reference to handwritten cheat sheets.

North Point's Due Diligence Research

At North Point Associates, we research people and businesses to make sense of their presence in the world. In completing the Rubik’s Cube, I was reminded of the process we follow for our everyday work. Just as every cube is different, so is every project we are involved in, but by analyzing variables through a consistent research process, we align details and identify outliers that require additional consideration to solve. Through our w ork, we provide clarity, and although our solutions may not always be ideal from a deal perspective, our finished product provides a foundation for decision-making based on a clear understanding of what can be known.

We are particularly adept at something known in the cube world a s a fringe scenario. D espite properly executing the process, a block remains out of place. A green block is in the top corner where a red block must go. To rectify this, you must have the knowledge base to understand that an issue exists and know the necessary steps to iron it out. The situation is the same when, through our research, we identify a notable detail that is out of place. A n individual seems to have simultaneously held two full-time positions, or a company with a history of financial success has recently lost one of its founding members. North Point Associates analysts have the experience and dogged determination to root out these fringe issues, to explain their potential meaning, and to help our clients avoid post-close surprises.

Resources

If you need information on a business or individual that exceeds the industry standard, North Point Associates can provide a solution. You can reach out to us directly via email to pam.harght@northpointassoc.com or contact us here .

If you want to make sense of the Rubik’s Cube, I recommend the following tutorial ( https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-solve-a-rubiks-cube-step-by-step/ ).

About the Author

Ross Elwyn is a Managing Director at North Point Associates and oversees a team of research analysts for our core due diligence research as well as voice of customer research. Ross is a licensed attorney with experience in civil litigation and degrees from the University of New Hampshire and a Doctor of Law (JD) and Master of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School.

North Point Rides Again with Team Daisy at the Pan-Mass Challenge

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 18:12:21 GMT

Riding with Team Daisy

Last year, I was invited to ride in the PMC with Team Daisy/Summit Partners . I was inspired to ride because my brother has been living with brain cancer for several years and it felt great to cast aside my helplessness and do something small to help all families who will face this unthinkable challenge in the future. My brother’s situation has taken a difficult turn since last year’s ride and I’m happy I’ll have a chance to ride as a symbol of my love and support for him and his family.

The ride was a powerful experience and a perfect outlet for the grief that has had a huge impact on all aspects of my life since his diagnosis. It was a great way to have community with so many others who are impacted by cancer in an overwhelmingly hopeful environment of people doing something difficult in solidarity with or memory of people they love.

This year, as university-affiliated scientific research has become an unfortunate victim of culture wars, the practical impact of the PMC seems more important than ever. Broadly speaking, I have no idea what the outcome of this moment will be, but on this front at least, I know it’s toward more people, not fewer, having their hearts broken by a terrible disease for which treatment and solutions won’t be found by accident.

I’m honored to be joined on the ride this time by three North Point colleagues, Shaun Donnelly , Diana Van Leeuwen , and Pam Harght . Please consider supporting us as we challenge ourselves and make our way to Provincetown in August.

We are grateful for your support.

North Point Associates Announces Addition to its Leadership Team

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:25:00 GMT

North Point Associates announces addition to its leadership team

North Point Associates announces the hiring of additional team members Diana Van Leeuwen, John Hand and Chloe Woodbine. All bring unique backgrounds addition additional depth and expertise to our North Point research team.

IPSWICH, Mass., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- North Point Associates today announced the hiring of Diana Van Leeuwen to the company's leadership team.

Ms. Van Leeuwen will serve as a senior director with North Point, leading research teams, influencing product development, and participating in client development.

Ms. Van Leeuwen is an accomplished lawyer with experience in white-collar criminal defense, government enforcement actions, and internal investigations at Hogan Lovells. She recently completed a multi-year federal court clerkship in Massachusetts and brings a rigorous and thorough work ethic to the leadership team.

Isaac Garcia-Dale, founder and CEO of North Point Associates, stated, "We are thrilled to have someone of Diana's caliber joining out team. She brings experience and enthusiasm that is consistent with our commitment to hiring exceptional people to lead our work."

"As a member of the leadership team, she helps position and grow our firm as a custom research solution in the industries of private investment, human capital, and political campaigns," Garcia-Dale added. "Ms. Van Leeuwen's experience and execution in litigation and internal and independent investigations will help North Point enhance our research, growth strategy, and company aspirations."

After her graduation from law school in 2017, Ms. Van Leeuwen clerked for a federal judge before moving to Hogan Lovells, where she worked with clients through all phases of litigation and served as an investigator in both internal and independent investigations. She also worked on a variety of pro bono cases, most often representing clients in their efforts to obtain post-conviction remedies.

Thereafter, Ms. Van Leeuwen accepted a second federal clerkship in the US District Court in Boston. Prior to law school, Ms. Van Leeuwen spent time in the film industry where she worked in a variety of production roles on feature-length movies, including The Kids Are All Right, featuring Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, and Mark Ruffalo, as well as art department roles on short films, music videos and commercials.

Ms. Van Leeuwen graduated magna cum laude from Suffolk University Law School and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Media Communications from Simmons University.

"I am thrilled to join North Point Associates as a Senior Director — a role that provides an opportunity to contribute to a firm with a reputation for excellence in the world of investigative due diligence," Ms. Van Leeuwen said. "I look forward to collaborating with the top-notch team at North Point and leveraging my experience in litigation and investigations to further our commitment to delivering superior value to our clients through a relentless investigative approach."

"North Point strives to be a landing place for impressive people with strong research and legal credentials and a desire to work in the intelligence/research industry." - Isaac Garcia-Dale, Founder and Presiden t

Employee Spotlight: John Hand and Chloe Woodbine

Additional team members John Hand and Chloe Woodbine joined North Point during the latter part of 2024. Hand and Woodbine's unique backgrounds bring additional depth and expertise to the North Point Research team.

Ms. Woodbine joined North Point Associates as a Senior Research Analyst and brings a depth of educational and research experience. "I'm excited to join North Point Associates because of the firm's deep commitment to thorough, high-impact research that helps clients make smarter, more informed decisions," she said. "Being part of a team, that values collaboration and forward-thinking solutions is incredibly energizing. I'm excited to contribute to work that challenges me professionally and pushes me to think critically, adapt quickly, and continuously expand my skill set."

Prior to joining North Point Associates, Ms. Woodbine was an Intelligence Analyst at The Counterterrorism Group. Beyond North Point, Ms. Woodbine is a color analyst for Brown University's water polo teams, providing live commentary and tactical analysis on ESPN+.

Ms. Woodbine earned a Master of Science in Applied Intelligence from Mercyhurst University, a Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management from Salem University, a Bachelor of Applied Public Health from Torrens University (Australia), and a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Physiology and Exercise Science from Salem University.

Hand also joins North Point Associates as a Senior Research Analyst. He is an accomplished journalist with experience in multiple media platforms including the Boston Globe, WEEI.com, Milwaukee Magazine, and OnMilwaukee.com. "I am excited to join North Point to work on unique projects that go beyond the facts to tell a complete story," said Hand, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marquette University.

"North Point strives to be a landing place for impressive young people with strong research credentials and a desire to work in the intelligence/research industry," Garcia-Dale said. "John and Chloe bring a lot to our team."

Media Contact

Pamela Harght, North Point Associates, pam.harght@northpointassoc.com

Official Press Release: https://www.prweb.com/releases/north-point-associates-announces-addition-to-its-leadership-team-302472844.html

Ed Sheeran Arrives in Ipswich, MA to Promote and Film a New Video

Tue, 27 May 2025 12:24:23 GMT

A few weeks ago, musician Ed Sheeran came to Ipswich, Massachusetts, to promote and film a video for his new song “Old Phone.” Why he chose, Ipswich, an unassuming coastal town in Massachusetts, in April, was and is a mystery, but it allegedly had something to do with its parallels to his hometown near Ipswich in Suffolk, England. Specifically, the parallel that it shared the name Ipswich, which did not make things much clearer. The pop-up bar that was created for the event was in a parking lot only a few hundred feet from our headquarters.

Sheeran explained on The Tonight Show that he wrote “Old Phone” after a 2022 lawsuit in which he defended his authorship of “Thinking Out Loud” against allegations from Marvin Gaye’s family that it infringed on their late father’s song “Let’s Get It On” (Sheeran prevailed with the jury – and after seeing the mass of adults and children basically scream and chase his car around our town as he intermittently did cool and understated things to make people feel seen, I’m not sure what kind of case he could lose). During discovery in that matter, Sheeran was compelled to look through old devices for responsive material, which led him to rediscover messages from friends who had died, and former lovers, and to reflect on the moments and relationships they memorialized, and in a way only he can, to turn the experience of being a civil defendant into a sentimental yet commercially viable song.

As I listened to Sheeran perform an impromptu acoustic rendition of “Old Phone “in the street in front of our office, I was thinking of a way to get a picture of him next to our office (I did, sort of) and convince my nieces and nephews that presence was somehow connected to North Point. To my knowledge, Sheeran has no interest in or at least has not publicly shared his thoughts on non-market diligence services, but the connection between our work and a song that serves as a reminder of the permanence of digital memories was eerily appropriate.

There is no question social media has democratized speech and that smart phones have made a lot of things easier, but we all now live and try to work amidst a never-ending supply of time-sucking distractions, and ample opportunities to say and do things in the blink of an eye that will last forever. We have officially left the world in which the reach or permanence of an idea or commentary has any relationship to the demand for its dissemination.

From our experience at North Point, we understand that people and companies view online behavior as a proxy for a person’s character or judgment. Very often, we identify online content from years or decades past that reflects poorly on an individual. In most cases, the downsides could have been easily avoided through a better understanding of the platforms that fuel engagement and profit from personal memories. Use of security and privacy settings, a general awareness of where one appears in the accounts of friends and family, removal of old posts, and deletion of unused accounts are simple elements of good on-line hygiene by a strikingly small number of people.

We recently highlighted these lessons as part of a program offered to college students who are soon to enter the workforce. While the audience was entirely social media natives and have a better understanding of emoji significance and current on-line parlance than I do, they, like many of the subjects of our research, had a limited understanding of the ways in which their thoughts were being preserved or how easily they could be accessed by people with a reason to go looking. We urged them to consider the permanence of their online presence because unless you’re Ed Sheeran, a digital footprint is mostly downside.

Now released, here is Ed Sheeran’s “Old Phone” music video: https://youtu.be/rj5dxoMY-dE?feature=shared

North Point Associates Appoints Board Member Chaitan Fahnestock

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 20:12:42 GMT

North Point Associates October 9th, 2023

North Point Associates announces the appointment of board member Chaitan Fahnestock

As a member of the board, Chaitan Fahnestock helps position and grow our firm as a custom research solution in the industries of private investment, human capital, and political campaigns. Fahnestock’s experience and execution in business development will help North Point achieve our growth strategy and company aspirations.

Ipswich, MA. October 9th, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/-- North Point Associates announced today the appointment of Chaitan Fahnestock to the company’s board of directors.

Fahnestock will also serve as a special advisor while North Point Associates expands its customer base and offerings.

An accomplished business leader in both consultancy and professional services arenas, Fahnestock currently serves as a board member and special advisor to Riveron Consulting and Method Bank as well as to North Point Associates.

Isaac Garcia-Dale, founder and CEO of North Point Associates, stated that, “We are thrilled to have someone with Chaitan’s experience and enthusiasm and proud to have him as a part of our team. He has a history of growing and stewarding professional services and business advisory firms and is a great fit both in terms of what we do but also in terms of our stage of growth.”

In 2006, Chaitan Fahnestock took on the role of senior director of business development at Riveron Consulting. Previously, Fahnestock as Riveron’s managing director, was responsible for the company’s organic growth strategy and execution, business development, client satisfaction, and new market leadership recruitment and training. In March 2015, he was named to Riveron’s first established board of directors. In 2016, Fahnestock became Riveron’s COO as well as president and, at present, remains a board member and special advisor for the company.

Fahnestock’s extensive professional background spans private equity, investment banking, and lending communities. He is equally experienced with building business relationships, formulating high-performing teams, and managing high-growth organizations. With more than 30 years of expertise in creating and executing market growth strategies, Fahnestock has provided tremendous opportunities for the clients, stakeholders, and people during his time leading Riveron.

Fahnestock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization–Lone Star Dallas Chapter.

“Given the unmatched depth and quality of work delivered to clients by North Point [Associates], I am bullish on the prospects for outsized growth by the company,” said Fahnestock. “Growth will enable even greater capabilities in service of clients and abundant career opportunities for our people.”

About North Point Associates

North Point Associates is a research firm that provides tailored research services to support our client in private investment, human capital, political and issue campaigns. North Point Associates’ team of experienced lawyers and professional researchers consistently delivers solid and impressive research products to further the pursuits of its clients.

Media Contact:

Pamela Harght (pam.harght@northpointassoc.com)

Senior Director of Business Development

https://northpointassoc.com/

https://www.prweb.com/releases/north-point-associates-announces-the-appointment-of-board-member-chaitan-fahnestock-301953420.html

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