Introduction

Odessa is one of the major US firms in the international asset finance market, providing businesses with advanced SaaS tools for asset management. Odessa provides banks to equipment manufacturers—with solutions that help optimize every aspect of business, from asset management and accounting to compliance and customer experience. Odessa is a global company with offices in Philadelphia, Sydney, London, and Bangalore. 

Problem Statement

With a small team in place, Odessa faced a leadership void in their security department and sought a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead their digital security strategy. After searching for nearly two years without any success, Odessa turned to Purple Quarter. The mandate was to find a leader with a strong SaaS background who could navigate the complexities of modern technology, foster a security-centric culture, effectively manage and grow the security team and have the ability to seamlessly communicate with executive leadership.

Execution & Solution

To meet Odessa’s mandate, Purple Quarter undertook an exhaustive search process, evaluating not only the technical competencies of potential candidates but also their leadership style and cultural fit. After reviewing 6-7 profiles, Satya Machiraju was found the right fit for the dual position of SVP and CISO. His extensive SaaS experience, ability to lead small teams, and strong communication skills made him the missing piece for Odessa’s evolving needs.

Satya’s technical expertise in managing security frameworks and his ability to nurture and develop security teams were identified leveraging Purple Quarter’s Behavioural Metric Model (BMM), where he was classified as a “10X nurturer.” This helped pinpoint Satya’s strengths in leadership and team-building, ensuring his seamless integration into Odessa’s leadership team.

During the interview process, Satya excelled in addressing complex and challenging questions. His direct and confident responses set him apart from other candidates, leading to a swift management decision. Satya accepted the offer without hesitation, and the entire hiring process was completed in merely one and a half months, with both Odessa and Satya recognizing the long-term value of this partnership.

Looking Forward

As Odessa’s newly appointed SVP and CISO, Satya Machiraju will play a pivotal role in driving the company’s cybersecurity strategy forward. His focus will be on enhancing security operations, building a resilient team, and ensuring that Odessa’s infrastructure is prepared to meet future challenges. Satya’s leadership will be instrumental in aligning Odessa’s security practices with industry standards, safeguarding the company’s assets, and supporting its continued growth in the asset finance industry. 

For more information, please reach out to the Marketing Team.